Introduction

Nebraska, the Cornhusker state, is the 16th largest state in the union, but ranks 38th in population, with an average of 22 people per square mile. The state was named after its largest river, the Platte, which one of the local American Indian tribes called "nebraska," meaning "flat water." The state's population is 85% White/Caucasian, about 7% African American, 4% Hispanic (and increasing rapidly), and 4% "Other." Nebraska is also home to three different American Indian reservations. Furthermore, 57% of the state's population resides in its two largest metropolitan areas, Omaha, and Lincoln, the state capital. About 13% of all Nebraska residents live below the poverty line.

The Education Liaison and Community Outreach Liaison of the MidContinental Region call Nebraska home. The Liaisons aim to provide health information instructional assistance and resources for health professionals, consumers and network members in the region.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Health Information

Health Professional Tracking Center -- Through the Nebraska Workforce Development, Nebraska TrainingLink provides a comprehensive listing of training providers, training programs, and demographic information, available in Nebraska.

Nebraska Health Care Links -- This site contains directories of important online public health related resources on a state by state basis. It is designed to be a complimentary resource for both health care consumers and professionals.

Nebraska Hospital Association -- The Nebraska Hospital Association is a statewide trade association representing and supporting Nebraska's hospitals and health systems, in both rural and urban settings.

Public Health Association of Nebraska -- Provides a forum for public health issues in the state of Nebraska.

University of Nebraska Medical Center: Ehealth - The University of Nebraska Medical Center presents eHealth A-Z, a comprehensive Web site that provides the most current information on a variety of medical conditions, written for the general public in a format that's easy to read and use. The site also includes links to UNMC's physicians, research, clinical trials and other medical resources, so consumers can access the full spectrum of health care in one place.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Community Health

City of Lincoln Environment Quality Resources -- Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department's Hazardous Household Products website shares information concerning the proper identification, use, storage and disposal of hazardous household products.

City of Lincoln Health Department--Health Promotion and Outreach -- The Division of Health Promotion and Outreach Services is committed to enriching the lives of the people of all cultures so that individuals are empowered to assume responsibility for their own health. Promotion is accomplished through direct service and community development, by providing education, outreach and referral services.

Consumer Health Information Resource Service --Need information to guide decisions about your health or the health of a family member or friend? The McGoogan Library of Medicine provides such information to Nebraska residents free of charge through the Consumer Health Information Resource Service (CHIRS).

Nebraska Disaster Behavioral Health -- The goal of the Disaster Behavioral Health Project is to develop human infrastructure in Nebraska to effectively mitigate or respond to the psycho-social consequences of terrorism and disaster.

Nebraska AIDS Project Acts to eliminate the spread of HIV and provides comprehensive services to all people affected by HIV and AIDS.

Neb Hands -- NebHands is a faith and community-based initiative to improve access to mental health, substance abuse and addiction services in Nebraska.

Nebraska.gov: Health and Safety -- a site provided by the state government of Nebraska. It covers a wide variety of public health and consumer health issues from diaster management to safety/labor standards.

United Way of the Midlands -- Supports and monitors a network of local human care programs in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties. Includes a link to the 2-1-1 database.

University of Nebraska--Cooperative Extension--Health and Living -- Links to Consumer Issues, Disaster Management, Food Safety, Healthy Lifestyles, Housing, and Nutrition and Foods.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Rural Health

Heartland Health Alliance -- Heartland Health Alliance is a network of 35 rural and urban Nebraska hospitals dedicated to enhancing the delivery of rural health care.

IA/NE Primary Health Association -- The Mission of the Iowa/Nebraska Primary Care Association is to provide development, support services and programs to its member community and migrant health centers.

The Nebraska Center for Rural Health Research -- The Nebraska Center for Rural Health Research, , is organized as a multi-campus Center located within the Department of Preventive and Societal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Its mission is to conduct research and analysis related to improving health care delivery in rural areas.

Nebraska Rural Health Association - NRHA is a non-profit membership organization whose primary mission is to work for the improvement and preservation of rural health in Nebraska.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Teens and Children

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation -- A resource for the changing issues affecting children, families and communities including health care needs, mental/ behavioral development, and delinquency. The Foundation blends public and private resources, to determine the most effective use of funds through research and partnerships, and provide resources to communities in the form of grants, initiatives, and technical assistance.

Nebraska Children's Health Resources -- Children's Health Resources in Nebraska categorized by city offering, promoting children's health and well being through pediatric clinics, pediatricians, pediatric specialties, and childhood wellness programs.

Nebraska Kids Connection Program -- Kids Connection is health care coverage for qualified children developed by the State of Nebraska. It includes both the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Nebraska Medical Assistance Program.

Nebraska Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care -- Provides links to four different documents regulating health and safety in child care in Nebraska.

Nebraska State Resources -- This list provides primarily state-level offices, from which one can find resources in the community, as well as provide information and assistance about children's disability issues in Nebraska.

Teen-Aid: Nebraska Resources -- A list of web sites focused on statistics and laws affecting teens in Nebraska, including information on pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy and sexual abuse.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Seniors

Aging Office of Western Nebraska -- The AOWN Care Management program is designed to provide identification, coordination, and facilitation of community services to assist elderly to remain in their own homes. This program receives its certification from the Nebraska Health and Human Services, Division on Aging.

Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging -- ENOA serves families in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties.

Nebraska Health and Human Services--Aging Services -- A resource list of websites for Seniors in the state of Nebraska.

Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program -- From the Nebraska Department of Insurance, information is provided on topics such as Medicare and Prescription Drug Benefits.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Minority and Underserved

First Project Inc: For Immigrants and Refugees Surviving Torture -- Services For Immigrants and Refugees, individuals and families, that have experienced trauma and/or torture under the color of law inlcude: therapy, assessments, education and training utilizing a collaborative approach.

Nebraska Office of Minority Health -- Represents and advances the interests of people of color for the purpose of reducing the disparity that exists between the health status of racial/ethnic minorities and non-minorities in Nebraska.

University of Nebraska Minority Health Home Page --"Prevention Man:" Find projects designed to improve health outcomes, culturally competent health services, and health provider education programs.

IA/NE Primary Care Association -- A non-profit organization serving community and migrant health centers and similar organizations in Iowa and Nebraska.

Urban League of Nebraska -- Focuses on a Five-Point Empowerment Strategy, including "Health and Quality of Life."

Talking Book and Braille Service -- Provides free books and magazines on cassette and in braille to individuals with a visual or physical condition or a reading disability which limits use of regular print.

NE HHS Disability Programs -- Provides links to disbility programs within the Nebraska Health and Human Services Department.

Nebraska State Resources on Disabilities -- A list of state level agencies put together by National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY).

Nebraska Ticket To Work -- assists people with disabilities with opportunities to work in the state.

Nebraska Tribal Websites -- The State of Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs provides a listing of the four tribes in Nebraska along with links to the tribal websites.

Families USA Nebraska Resources -- provides new materials published by Families USA, key health contacts, state government links, news and views from the state, and other resources that might be helpful to Nebraska advocates

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Informacion en Español

United Way of the Midlands Apoya y monitorea una red de programas locales de servicios humanos en los condados de Douglas, Sarpy y Pottawattamie. Llame al 2-1-1 para ayuda por teléfono.
(Supports and monitors a network of local human care programs in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties. Call 2-1-1 for assistance by telephone.)

Nebraska AIDS Project Toma acción para eliminar la propagación de la SIDA y provee servicios amplios a todos los afectados por el VIH y la SIDA
(Acts to eliminate the spread of HIV and provides comprehensive services to all people affected by HIV and AIDS.)

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Emergency Planning and Preparedness

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency -- Resources for planning for disasters, county emergency plans and Nebraska Homeland Security.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Disasters and Emergencies -- Resources in the areas of bioterrorism, emergency preparedness, emergency medical services, health alert network, local health departments

University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension Service - and- Food water safety and storage

Prepare.org -- A Red Cross resource assisting people with disabilities and medical concerns, to prepare for disaster. Available in multiple languages.

Center for Biopreparedness Education -- Resources for stockpiling, library, and Pandemic/Avian Flu Resources

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Insurance and Licensing

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service System: Regulation and Licensure -- This state department licenses health related professions, such as nurses, doctors, and psychologists, as well as facilities and services. Included with the health related professions are occupations such as cosmetologists, asbestos workers, massage therapists, physical therapists. The agency is also responsible for regulations for the Health and Human Services System.

Nebraska Department of Insurance -- The mission of this department is to safeguard those affected by the business of insurance through the fulfillment of statutory obligations and by promoting the fair and just treatment of all parties to insurance transactions.

Nebraska Health Insurance for the Uninsured-American Diabetes Association -- The web site details health insurance and assistance programs available to uninsured people in Nebraska.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Grant Information

Nebraska Rural Health Association--Grants/Resources -- The Association is a non-profit membership organization whose primary mission is to work for the improvement and preservation of rural health in Nebraska. This site provides information on available grants and private funding sources, as well as regulations and forms.

University of Nebraska Medical Center: Biomedical Research Grants Information -- Includes information on federal grants, foundations online, grant writing, online newsletters and journals, print resources on grants available at McGoogan Library of Medicine and UNMC grants information.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Demographics

Nebraska at a Glance -- State health facts provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Nebraska QuickFacts U.S. Census -- Demographic facts on the Nebraska population.

Vital Statistics: Nebraska Health and Human Services System -- Birth, death, marriage and divorce statistics in the state of Nebraska.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

Nebraska Libraries

Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association -- The Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association (MCMLA) is a chapter of the Medical Library Association (MLA), a professional organization of individuals and institutions in the health sciences library field.

ICON -- a nonprofit organization of medical and public librarians in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa who provide information services and support to members, health science professionals, and to those in training for health science occupations when affiliated with member institutions.

Nebraska Libraries on the Internet -- Provided by the Nebraska Library Commission, this is a list of Nebraska libraries on the Internet.

Nebraska Library Association -- The Nebraska Library Association supports and promotes all libraries, library media centers and library services in the state. Its foremost concerns are the professional development of its members, library advocacy, and open access to information for all citizens.

Nebraska Library Commission -- State information on libraries, policies, job opportunities and upcoming events.

~ Return to Top of Page ~

MCR Staff Contact Information

Nebraska/Education Liaison Marty Magee McGoogan Library of Medicine University of Nebraska Medical Center 986705 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-6705 Phone: (402) 559-5482 Email: mmagee@unmc.edu	Community Outreach Liaison Siobhan Champ-Blackwell Health Science Library Creighton University 2500 California Plaza Omaha, NE 68198 Phone: (402) 280-4156 Email: siobhan@creighton.edu
University of Nebraska Medical Center Dr. Nancy Woelfl, Director McGoogan Librarian of Medicine University of Nebraska Medical Center 986705 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 Phone: (402) 559-7078 Email nwoelfl@unmc.edu	Creighton University Jim Bothmer, Assistant Vice President for Health Sciences and Director of the Health Sciences Library Creighton University 2500 California Plaza Omaha, NE 68198 Phone: (402) 280-5120 Email: jbothmer@creighton.edu

~ Return to Top of Page ~

MCR Project Goals

Education Project

The objective of the education project will is to enhance skills and utilization of NLM and NN/LM products and services of health professionals, educators, researchers, librarians, students and consumers. Education programs available on the web will be identified and communicated to the region. Opportunities for synchronous and asynchronous instruction will be a particular focus. Furthermore, utilization of digital video to the desktop will be employed for both synchronous and asynchronous instruction.

Community Outreach Liaison

The goals of the MCR include providing outreach to minority populations and inner city residents, as members of two groups of regional residents who face health disparities. Outreach to the health care providers who serve those populations is also crucial. Working with existing community organizations, and developing partnerships with those groups and network and affiliate members, to increase access to health information is one way to assist in the reduction of health disparities. In addition, the MCR will assist in the recruitment and retention of minority students into health careers.

~ Return to Top of Page ~