Community Resource Sharing Newsletter

Licensed Childcare Providers: Access Free Educational Toys and Materials Through the Resource Center

The Childcare Provider Resource Center is here to support licensed providers in Platte, Colfax, Boone, and Nance counties by offering free access to toys and educational materials. This lending library is designed to help you enhance your childcare program with high-quality resources.

Available items include:

Social-emotional toys and games
Blocks and math activities
Sensory materials
Dramatic play resources
And much more!

How it works:

Scan the QR code to register with your contact information.
Browse available items online and complete the check-out form.
Pick up your items on the second Monday of each month from 6:00–7:00 PM at the Columbus Public Schools Administration Building (2410 16th Street, Columbus – west doors). Alternate pick-up times may be arranged if needed.
Items may be checked out for one month.

We understand toys may be broken while they are checked out, which is fine! --our priority is ensuring that these resources are used and enjoyed by children in your care.

For questions or assistance, please contact:

Roberta Miksch – rmiksch@columbusunitedway.com or Kaylee Strong – strongk@discoverers.org

Tammy Bichlmeier,

Central Navigator

Community Prevention Continues Mental Health Support

Community Prevention (CP) is excited to move forward again this school year with supporting access to mental health services for children and youth attending school in our four-county service area as well as young adults. For a number of years, CP has been able to allocate some of its grant funding to provide vouchers for up to eight mental health sessions with one of our contracted counseling agencies. We currently have 15 providers to choose from!

The focus is to assist families who are unable to afford services due to no insurance, a high deductible or other financial hardship. Parents are asked to contribute at least a nominal amount for each session, if they are able. Last year, due to the increase in demand for vouchers, an income requirement was instituted that is based on being at or below 250% of the poverty level for the household’s size. But, unforeseen circumstances can still be considered to approve a voucher request.

The voucher project could not exist without a strong partnership with our local school systems and their dedicated staff. Most of the referrals are submitted by the schools through their contacts with students and parents. So far in 2025, 26 youth have been assisted financially though the voucher project and 102 sessions have been paid for in part or fully. Our staff hope to increase this number by the end of the year and encourage you to have parents reach out to their school’s counselor or social worker to access the vouchers if they are in need. If you know a young adult (under 26) that is looking for assistance, please contact the United Way office directly about how to proceed with a referral (402-564-5661).a

The Builder Who Still Breaks

They build the bridges they wished they'd had,

stone by stone with blistered hands,

laying planks of hope across the waters

They once thought they’d drown in.

They speak to strangers in soft, sure tones,

the kind you keep in your pocket for emergencies,

and strangers believe them — because they believes in ithers

even on the days they can not believe in themself.

Their toolkit is full:

hotlines memorized,

friends on speed dial,

coping strategies like well-worn pages.

They carry them the way others carry spare change —

ready to give,

at any moment.

And still —

in the quiet,

when all others needs finally rest,

the thoughts return.

It is not hypocrisy;

it is humanity —

to be the lighthouse and the lost ship,

to stand in the storm with a beacon high

while the waves threaten all around.

Strength is not in never sinking;

it is in staying,

knowing the tide will rise again

and still choosing to stay,

and still choosing to build.

As helpers, it is so important to remember that we are human, and we also have struggles and needs. It is vital that we take care of ourselves!

Ready to be a changemaker for families? Join the Bring Up Nebraska Network!

Bring Up Nebraska is a call to action to help families thrive and is supported by Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. Bring Up Nebraska is focused on prevention and strengthening families BEFORE crisis to empower them within their communities. It is about uniting those with shared agendas, implementing systems and providing evidence-based training to support meaningful opportunities and creating partnerships.

Helping families thrive and focusing on preventive efforts is a priority area of Community and Family Partnership and more voices are needed. The more people involved in the shared mission of improving the quality of life for young people and families, the more impact we can have. Let’s do this together. See more information in the flyer below or visit BringUpNebraska.org.