|
|
Nebraska Association of County Officials
1335 H Street Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 434-5660
Fax: (402) 434-5673
|
|
Media Provides Disaster Information
- Spread The Info Into Your Communities
|
|
The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is providing current and up to date findings as the effect of the recent severe weather is becoming known across the state. Click
here
to review those findings and then continue to read about services available to assist people in need.
"Historic flood conditions have displaced many Midlanders and put communities under enormous strain. It’s tremendously encouraging to see a wide range of organizations, businesses and houses of worship step forward to help.
Many people are commendably looking to how they can donate or volunteer. Here are some of the organizations responding with direct assistance or are providing information about programs that can help. Some efforts help residents, while others are focused on emergency deliveries of hay, fencing materials and other agricultural needs in the wake of flooding in eastern Nebraska and blizzard conditions in western Nebraska.
»
The American Red Cross
is operating shelters in Nebraska and western Iowa for displaced individuals. Donations to help Nebraska and southwest Iowa communities can go to
redcross.org/local/nebraska
. Monetary donations are preferred, the organization says.
»
United Way of the Midlands
has established the Nebraska & Iowa Flood Relief Fund, with 100 percent of donations going to nonprofit programs offering relief. Donors can designate their gift to help a specific flood-impacted community if they prefer. Donations can be made at
unitedwaymidlands.org/floodrelief
or by texting FLOODRELIEF to 41444. United Way also is helping flood victims in Nebraska and southwest Iowa through its 211 Helpline.
»
The Nebraska Farm Bureau
has established a disaster relief fund and launched the Agriculture Disaster Exchange portal to connect farmers, ranchers and agricultural communities with help. To donate or apply for aid from the Disaster Relief Fund, or to use the Agriculture Disaster Exchange portal, visit
www.nefb.org/disaster
.
»
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture
has information on a variety of resources and supports for agricultural producers, including programs from the Farm Service Agency, at
www.nda.nebraska.gov/resources
. Producers needing emergency support in regard to hay, fencing materials or other needs can call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 1-800-831-0550. Be prepared to share your name, contact information, type and number of livestock, location and how urgent your need is. Nebraskans who want to donate materials for such aid can call the same number.
»
The Salvation Army
will distribute cleanup kits and bottled water to people in flood-afflicted areas. The agency has set up a special donation tab at
salarmyomaha.org
. The agency is also seeking additional volunteers for flood relief efforts. Volunteers can sign up at
RegisterToRing.com
or 402-898-6050.
»
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
notes that counseling/information services are available: the Nebraska Family Helpline at 1-888-866-8660 and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at 1-800-985-5990. The Nebraska Rural Response Hotline for counseling help is 1-800-464-0258.
In addition to these and other organized efforts, many Midlanders are reaching out through laudable individual efforts to help family members, neighbors, friends and community residents.
Midlanders are coming together to move past this disaster. The needs are great. So, thankfully, is the spirit of giving.
Mental health resources in the aftermath of Nebraska flooding
While Nebraskans and Iowans are rallying around #Nebraskastrong and #Iowastrong in the wake of historic storms and floods, experts say it's natural that many will feel stress, anxiety and grief in the months ahead.
"The situation as we know is a moving target," said Dr. Marley Doyle, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. "Living in that unknown space is very anxiety-provoking."
Doyle and others encourage those who've been caught up in storms and floods to take care of their mental healthy by relying on their community and social supports. Those who can should try to take time for the things they normally enjoy — running in the morning, going to a book club, visiting with fellow church members. That can provide a sense of normality and of control.
If you become concerned about your mental health or that of loved ones, it may be time to seek professional help.
Nebraskans can contact the SAMSHA helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or the Nebraska Family Helpline at 1-888-866-8660.
Farmers and ranchers can contact the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.
The hotline can connect callers with stress counseling, behavioral health referrals, insurance and livestock indemnity programs, as well as with the Orphan Grain Train if they need hay.
Hotline staff had just spoken Monday with someone who'd lost 30 calves. "Everybody's busy cleaning up now," spokeswoman Michelle Soll said, "but we are starting to get calls."
It is our belief by directing individuals to these resources you will be assisting a great deal."
Reprinted from the
Omaha World Herald;
|
|
Nebraska Stepping Up Summit
|
|
New Searchable County Officials Directory
|
|
NACO is excited to announce that there is a new searchable Directory of Nebraska County Officials available on our webpage. The interactive directory assists in quick access to easily lookup contact information by name, county or office. Please visit our website at
www.nacone.org
and select the blue button that says “County Officials Directory Online” to start using the directory today. Please send an email to
LeRoy.Janssen@nacone.org
if you have any questions or concerns about the content of the directory.
|
|
NACO has been working on its social media presence, and plans on using these tools as a means of quickly disseminating information relevant to county government. We hope you will find them helpful.
We have updated our Facebook page, and will use it to provide news on what is going on in the office, as well as upcoming events of interest to the counties. We have also registered an account on Twitter, as @NACO_Nebraska, and will use this account to provide newsworthy items and to get information out more quickly if needed. We welcome any suggestions or feedback.
|
|
2019 County Justice Reinvestment Grant
|
|
The 2019 County Justice Reinvestment Grant Application has been posted on the Nebraska Crime Commission’s
webpage
.
Applications are due by 5 pm,
Friday May 3, 2019
. For any questions, please call
Laurie L. Holman
, J.D., Legislative Liaison and Policy Coordinator at the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Her phone number is 402-471-2259 and you can email her by clicking on her name above.
|
|
Emergency Meetings of County Boards
Given the recent Spring blizzards and flooding occurring throughout the state, our office received calls about boards conducting “emergency meetings”; therefore, a review of the current statutes, cases and Attorney Generals opinions follows.
The Attorney General has indicated that an "emergency meeting" may be conducted by electronic and telecommunications equipment including radio and telephone conferences. 1975-76 Rep. Att'y Gen. 150 (Opinion No. 116, dated August 29, 1975). On the other hand, the open meetings statutes do not generally authorize the use of telephone conference calls for non-emergency meetings of a public body, and absent members of a public body may not be counted to achieve a quorum through the use of a conference call. Op. Att'y Gen. No. 92019 (February 11, 1992). [Section 84-1411 has been amended a number of times to allow specified public bodies including the governing body of an entity formed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act, the Joint Public Agency Act or the Municipal Cooperative Financing Act, the board of an educational service unit, the governing body of a risk management pool or its advisory committees organized in accordance with the Intergovernmental Risk Management Act, a community college board of governors, the governing body of public power district, the governing body of a public power and irrigation district, or the Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council to meet by telephone conference call in certain circumstances. See 1999 Neb. Laws LB 461; 2000 Neb. Laws LB 968; 2007 Neb. Laws LB 199; 2009 Neb. Laws LB 36, 2012 Neb. Laws LB 735, 2013 Neb. Laws LB 510 and discussion below.]
To read further about when it is necessary to hold an emergency meeting and to learn more about the newly proposed overtime rules , click
here
.
Editor's Note: Legal Line is a feature that will periodically appear in NACO E-Line. This article has been prepared by Elaine Menzel of the NACO legal staff. Legal Line is not intended to serve as legal advice. Rather, it is published to alert readers to court decisions and legal or advisory matters important to county government. For a specific opinion on how the information contained in this article or that which will be discussed in future issues relates to your county, consult your county attorney or personal counsel.
|
|
County Government Day PowerPoint
|
|
The PowerPoint presentation is available electronically at no charge (sent via e-mail) for use by counties during their annual County Government Day. The PowerPoint provides a comprehensive look at county government functions in the State of Nebraska and can be customized by each county. CD's are also available for $10.00 each to cover processing, shipping and handling. To request the County Government Day PowerPoint electronically, please e-mail your request to
larrydix@nacone.org
.
The CD order form is available
here
.
|
|
Substance Abuse Interventions for Justice-Involved Individuals: Law Enforcement Strategies
Mar. 28, 2019 , 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm CDT
(202) 661-8809
Join NACo for a three-part webinar series on Substance Abuse Interventions for Justice-Involved Individuals, which will focus on strategies county leaders can use during interactions with law enforcement, in the jail and upon reentry to improve outcomes for this population and the community and protect public safety. This webinar will highlight strategies county law enforcement agencies can use to address the needs of justice-involved individuals with substance use disorders, including alternatives to arrest, co-responder models and harm reduction strategies such as distribution of naloxone.
|
|
Panhandle District Meeting
Prairie Winds Community Center, Bridgeport
March 27, 2019
West Central District Meeting
Ogallala Convention Center, Quality Inn & Suites, Ogallala
March 28, 2019
Nebraska Weed Control Association Spring Training
Ramada Inn, Kearney
April 2 - 4, 2019
Nebraska Association of Emergency Managers Annual Conference
Boarders Inn & Full Circle Venue, Grand Island
April 3 - 5, 2019
Nebraska's Stepping Up Initiative
Cornhusker Marriott, Lincoln
April, 17, 2019
County Board of Equalization
June 5, 2019
Holiday Inn, Kearney, Nebraska
Registration Information Coming Soon
County Board Workshop
June 6 & 7, 2019
Holiday Inn, Kearney, Nebraska
|
|
Thank you for keeping up to date on the latest NACO News,
Sincerely,
Nebraska Association of County Officials
1335 H Street Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 434-5660
Fax: (402) 434-5673
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
