Smith Diversity Scholarship – $25,000 Scholarships Available
Lutheran Family Services (LFS) is proud to offer a scholarship program for graduating high school students from underrepresented families facing financial barriers to higher education. The application is now open for the Coyner & Donna Smith Diversity Scholarship. Learn More
Medication Assisted Treatment Program
LFS offers Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to help individuals battling addiction to opioids. It is designed to alleviate symptoms and improve overall functioning and well-being.
The program serves adults (19 years old and older). The treatment recommendations can include medications, counseling, or a combination of both.
We offer open-access hours for walk-in visits at our locations in Lincoln and Omaha Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 – 11 a.m. A virtual lobby is also available. Learn More
Fill The F-150 In November
LFS is excited to partner with Diers Ford/Lincoln in Fremont to collect items for our Children’s Services Programs. For the month of November, you can bring new items to Fill the F-150. Items most needed are:
- Clothing including winter coats. For older teens/tweens in foster care – women size 10 to 18; men size 34 to 36. For younger kids, size newborn to 5T.
- Shoes 7 to 10
- Socks sizes 0-5 years.
- Underwear sizes 2T to 5T.
- Hygiene products like baby shampoo, baby wash, and toothpaste are needed.
Starting November 1, drop off your new donation items at 3445 N. Broad St. Fremont, NE 68025, Monday – Saturday from 8 – 5.
Have questions? Contact Kyle at kyle.kiefer@onlfs.org.
Empowering Fathers
The Fatherhood Initiative Program at LFS empowers fathers and helps them build strong relationships with their children. In September, the LFS team traveled to Ohio to meet with one of the premier fatherhood programs in the country, the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood. Our team learned from their established program, bringing back new ideas and best practices to enhance the Fatherhood Initiative Program in Nebraska.
Team members returned from Ohio full of energy and brimming with new ideas. They will network with representatives and leaders from across the state, including the Nebraska Department of Corrections, Department of Health and Human Services, Child Support, Mediation, and the Nebraska court system. According to Carol Gooden-Rice, the Director of the Fatherhood Initiative Program, “Research shows that when fathers are involved in their children’s lives, their children are more likely to go to college, less likely to spend time in jail, and less likely to experience teen pregnancy.”
The Fatherhood Initiative is a statewide program of LFS, engaging and networking with community partners across Nebraska. Learn More
Crises Response and Co-responders
Our Crisis and Co-response program recently saved a life when someone experiencing suicidal thoughts made a 988 call. Urgent and Crisis Services Clinical Supervisor Eve Jarboe was alerted. However, the person’s precise location was unknown. Eve was able to talk to the police in the person’s town and contact his girlfriend, who confirmed their location.
Once found, Eve contacted Kearney PD and Buffalo County Co-responder Megan Morris. Megan and an officer visited the individual in person and provided much-needed support and guidance. They listened patiently and allowed the individual to talk about their situation. The co-responder and the officer then safely planned the next steps, including how the person would get home and follow-up treatment.
The work between the crisis services team, co-responder, and the police officer was exceptional and a testament to LFS’s commitment to saving lives. They defused a potentially dangerous situation and provided the necessary support and guidance when needed most.
We are proud of our Crisis and Co-response program and its positive impact on our community. If you want to know more about our Crisis and Co-response program, please visit our website.
Upcoming Events
- 10/9 – More Than an Athlete – Cox Communication Event
- 10/11 – Future of Care Symposium
- 10/13 – 10/14 – Replanted Adoption Conference Simulcast
- 11/2 – A Home Called Nebraska Movie Viewing
