Community Resource Sharing Newsletter

Reghan Kabes

Community Prevention Coach

Hopeful Horizons:

A nonprofit organization that is new to our communities

Mission: Creating, coordinating, and championing hopeful tomorrows.

As you drive in Columbus, have you seen the purple and teal signs displayed in yards? They say, ‘You Are Not Alone’ and ‘Don’t Give Up’ These signs are in existence because of a JAG grant through Columbus Area United Way/Community & Family Partnership and local school systems. What a wonderful opportunity for the community! Although there were a limited amount and they were distributed quickly, many agencies and community members are still requesting for a sign to display. It’s all about decreasing the stigma and increasing awareness. There are resources and supports available to you, it is okay to reach out for help!

Our purpose is to be the lead and first point of contact for suicide awareness, prevention, and mental health resources. Hopeful Horizons members have heard stories of impact because of the displayed signs. Even though you may drive by them every day, there may be one day where you are really struggling; and that sign could be your inspiration to make that phone call and connect with a professional. The signs are one strategy to help educate and encourage community members. You are not alone; we all have mental health challenges; reaching out for help can be the first step in healing.

If you are interested in learning more about this organization, please connect with us!

Follow us on Facebook at “Hopeful Horizons” or Contact Jill Colegrove for more information – Jill@ColegroveCounseling.com

Bridging the Gap: The Economic Impact of Inadequate Child Care in Platte County

Platte County, Nebraska, is grappling with a significant challenge—insufficient access to child care. A 2022 report by Dr. Melissa L. Trueblood, Ph.D. Economist with the Economic Development Department, reveals that inadequate child care costs local families over $7 million in lost income each year, with disruptions like absenteeism, turnover, and reduced work hours impacting earning potential. Businesses face nearly $3.6 million in additional costs from lost productivity and employee turnover, and the local economy sees an annual reduction of almost $2 million in taxable retail sales.

These economic losses extend far beyond individual families, affecting the entire community. To close the child care gap, we must advocate for policies that support early educators and child care providers, whose essential work enables parents to remain in the workforce. Investing in quality child care not only strengthens families but also sustains economic growth and development in Platte County.

We urge community members to get involved by—

A. Supporting local child care programs by being involved with your children’s or grandchildren’s childcare program or provider, volunteering, or donating resources to help providers thrive.

B. Advocating for increased funding for providers by contacting your state legislature, local representatives, and community leaders, emphasizing the importance of financial support for early childhood education.

C. Helping create a sustainable, high-quality child care system by participating in local discussions, supporting policies that invest in early education, and encouraging collaboration between businesses, government, and families.

Together, we can build a strong foundation for our community’s future. Reports are available for our other three counties and more information is to come!

If you’re like to join this important work, please join or listen to our monthly Elevated & Equitable Early Care & Education group zoom meetings. They are held on the third Thursday of the month from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Contact Roberta for more information!

Hailey Crumley

Childcare Director

Christ Lutheran Early Childhood Community

Need community data? There’s a resource for that!

Did you know that you can look up some of this valuable community data on the Casey Family Programs website? It allows you to filter by county and shows data regarding children and families, education, economy, housing, and accessibility. Think about all the things you can do with this data!

This is our last of FOUR features on our four-county area and wrapping up 2024 is Platte County!

This data shows that Platte County has a total population of approximately 34,000 with 26% under the age of 18 and 18% over the age of 65. It shows a very low unemployment rate of 2% with 44% of annual median household income between $75,000-$200,000. It also shows that 35% of renters and 9% of homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

Find additional data on individual counties at the link below!