Early Childhood / Parenting

BVCA Partnership operates over 30 programs. Each program has multiple services. Most programs and services are designed to interact with and complement each other. Thus you may qualify for, and want to use, more than one program. You will be required to fill out BVCA Partnership's Family Intake Form, which can be obtained from one of BVCA's Family Development Partners. To participate in several of BVCA's programs, you must be income eligible.  Click here to download BVCA Partnership's Brochure | Spanish Version.

Remember that programs change. New services are added, new counties are covered. Eligibility requirements change as new income guidelines are issued. Should this or other circumstances inhibit your enrollment in any BVCA program, you may appeal by clicking here. This information is intended to provide a general overview. It is not the final word. If you or a family member need assistance, please contact BVCA Partnership. We will be happy to discuss your particular situation and provide you with current information on all our programs and services. We will also refer you to other agencies whose services may benefit your family.

To promote health, prevent disease and protect the environment improving the health of the Four Corners Community. We serve as a resource for services in the Four Corners District.

La Leche League - Contact Gloria, Accredited LLL Leader, at (402) 362-6875 or turnbull@inebraska.com, for breastfeeding information, borrowing reading materials, DVDs and other aids. No fees. Pregnancy is the ideal time to utilize breastfeeding resources.

WORKING TOGETHERTO IMPROVE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN
& YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
Nebraska ChildFind provides information to parents, school personnel, and service providers on child development and special education for children from birth (or date of diagnosis) to age 21. ChildFind also helps parents access information on rights and resources to help them advocate for an appropriate education for their child.

Does your child have trouble learning, speaking, hearing, seeing, walking or taking part in activities with other children? Or are you concerned about your child's physical condition, learning or development in other areas?

Childfind is part of the Nebraska Early Development Network, that may be able to help families with infants and toddlers that experience developmental delays, genetic syndromes, medical impairments, as well as many other disabilities, though service coordination and other services.

The Polk County Health Department has been in existence since 1979 The services offered are available to all residents of Polk County, regardless of income status. Funding comes from a number of sources including: private contracts, private payment based on a fee for services, donations, grants, and tax support from the Polk County Government.

Services of the department include: Homemaker/Chore Services, School Nursing, Health Screenings, Health Education Program, Pedicure Clinics, Blood Pressure Clinics, Public Flu Vaccines, Immunization Clinics - Adult and Childhood, Drug/Alcohol Testing, Lifeline, Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance.

To obtain services from the Polk County Health Department, simply contact the office at (402) 747-2211.

Head Start promotes school readiness for children ages 0-5 in low-income families by offering educational, nutritional, health, social, and other services. Head Start programs enhance the social and cognitive development of children and actively engage families in their children's learning so that children will be successful in kindergarten and beyond.

This program is free for all children from the age of 1 year to 18 years who live in the Shelby/Rising City school district. Snack/breakfast will be offered from 8am - 1am. Lunch will be offered from 10:30am - 12pm.

This program was designed to encourage face to face interaction for all students. All students will have to eat in the cafeteria UNLESS special circumstances.

Sign-up for summer snack/breakfast and lunch! - Free (breakfast/snacks) & lunches from June 6th to July 28th for all individuals from 1 years to 18 years. - Sign-up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HHm20uTV2uq_eT6-yFMCKgfEcYRAf9WhJXVzoq3hpaA/edit?usp=sharing - Two options: Breakfast/Snack (8am - 10am) & Lunch (10:30am - 12pm) - Will serve Monday through Thursday - Starting on June 6th and goes until July 28th Guidelines established by NDE: - Must eat in cafeteria (the NDE said the point of this was for interactions with all students before covid derailed that). That is for both breakfast/snacks and lunch - Single meals and snacks (can't double up for the weekend or for Fridays) If you have questions, please call the office (402) 527-5946 and ask for Mr. Tejkl or Mrs. Velasco.

PREVENTION COALITION
Region V’s Regional Prevention Coalition received a five-year grant to reduce teen alcohol abuse in 2014. Through these funds, TalkAboutAlcohol.org was created to share parenting tips and tools, as well as alcohol related resources with families throughout the region.

When this grant came up for renewal in 2019, the coalition decided to expand the focus beyond alcohol. This new website, TalkHeart2Heart.org was developed to provide easy to use resources that encourage adults to talk with young people about alcohol and drugs, mental health and risky behaviors.

REGION V
The mission of Region V Systems is to encourage and support the provision of a full range of mental health and alcohol and drug abuse programs and services to the youth and adults of Butler, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer and York counties in Nebraska.

The Regional Prevention Coalition falls under the Region V umbrella and has the purpose of preventing the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, for all ages, through forming and supporting local/county community coalitions which sustain a statewide prevention system.

Please feel free to contact us with any comments or questions about this site or to tell us about the amazing heart-to-heart conversations you have with the young people in your life.

Need help now? Contact Nebraska Family Helpline at 888-866-8660

he Nebraska Family Helpline at (888) 866-8660 makes it easier for families to obtain assistance by providing a single contact point 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained Helpline operators screen calls to assess immediate safety needs, identify the potential level of a behavioral health crisis, make recommendations or referrals to appropriate resources, and help callers connect to emergency resources or providers. The Helpline is supervised by licensed mental health professionals.

Remember, if you or your family are in immediate danger, please call 911.

Family Helpline operators also can connect eligible families to the Family Navigator Service. This service helps families move through Nebraska's child- and family-care system more efficiently to get the assistance they need. Available within 24 to 72 hours after a Helpline referral, Family Navigator helps families identify existing community-based services and provides support from people who have had personal experience in the system.