Lancaster County approves multiple youth, behavioral health and community grants for 2026–27

At its July 14 meeting, the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners approved a package of grant contracts and subgrants to support juvenile justice prevention, behavioral health, diversion, youth programming and community services for the 2026–27 program year.

Lesley Ahrens, Human Services Quality Assurance Coordinator, described several awards and program uses. The Board accepted a $61,950 subgrant to support an Education Advocate at the Malone Center, whose duties include helping youth and families navigate school services such as 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The Board also approved subgrants and contracts for The Bay, SquareOne, El Centro de las Americas, KVC Behavioral HealthCare Nebraska, CenterPointe, People's City Mission, CASA for Lancaster County, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, St. Monica’s Behavioral Health Services for Women, Friendship Home of Lincoln, Rabble Mill, Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, The Salvation Army, and Visionary Youth, among others.

Ahrens said SquareOne’s project is advancing at a new location expected to open in the fall and that the facility will serve as a centralized hub for family resources. Motions to accept the awards and contracts carried by recorded vote; several items recorded one or more abstentions where noted (for example, Chair Yoakum abstained on the El Centro contract). Funding sources cited in agenda items included the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Grant, the Juvenile Justice Prevention Fund, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Bureau of Justice Assistance formula grants, and awards from the Joint Budget Committee.

The awards are granted for defined terms (commonly July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027) and specify amounts in the agenda listing; the Board’s approvals allow contracting officers to finalize agreements and authorize funds per the listed terms.