Nebraska Department of Health Launches CarePortal in Lancaster County

There’s a new tool Division of Children and Family Services (CFS) team members in Lancaster County can utilize when families have needs that go beyond what the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) typically provides. On November 12, 2018, Nebraska First Lady Susanne Shore, and others, helped launch the CarePortal (careportal.org) during an event at the State Capitol.

CarePortal is a web-based technology platform designed to match material needs of children or families with donors of cash, goods or services within the faith-based local community. Needs are determined by families and DHHS, posted on the CarePortal system and then delivered by cooperating churches that reach out to a network of volunteers to meet the needs. DHHS partnered locally with Christian Heritage, a Lincoln-based children, adolescent, and family welfare and fostering organization, to connect the network of local churches with CFS in response to CarePortal requests.

CFS was already utilizing CarePortal in Kearney (Buffalo County), Hastings (Adams County), and North Platte (Lincoln County). Since its initial launch in Nebraska, CarePortal has served 295 children and made an economic impact of $118,230. These numbers are anticipated to rapidly grow in the coming months as more churches in Lancaster County become active in the network.

Learn more about CarePortal online at careportal.org. Contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services by calling (402) 471-3121, or reach the Division of Children and Family Services directly by emailing dhhs.childrenandfamilyservices@nebraska.gov.