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Pregnancy & family help in Nebraska

37 organizations in Nebraska offering help with pregnancy, housing, food, childcare, adoption and more. We checked each one before listing it, but hours and services change, so please call ahead.

Adoption

  • Families Forever (Nebraska Children's Home Society)

    Statewide

    Statewide post-adoption and guardianship support for Nebraska families: in-home support, respite connections, parent-to-parent mentoring, mental health connections, training and support groups.

  • Nebraska DHHS — Adoption

    Statewide

    Adopting a child from Nebraska foster care. To learn more about adopting, call 1-800-7PARENT (1-800-772-7368); for other adoption questions, call the DHHS adoption specialist.

  • Nebraska Foster & Adoptive Parent Association

    Statewide

    Support and information for foster and adoptive parents in Nebraska and people interested in fostering or adopting. Toll-free: (877) 257-0176.

Free / Subsidized Childcare

  • Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership — Head Start & Early Head Start

    Tuition-free Early Head Start (prenatal to age 3) and Head Start (ages 3–5) at centres across central Nebraska, including Broken Bow, Burwell, Central City, Loup City, O'Neill and St. Paul. Families apply through the contact form on the page.

  • Educare of Omaha

    Head Start early learning for children from 6 weeks to age 5 at schools in North and South Omaha. Families living in Douglas County who meet program income guidelines can apply online.

Churches / Baby Closets

  • Essential Pregnancy Services

    Free pregnancy testing in Omaha and Bellevue, plus Life Services: parenting and life-skills classes where moms earn Baby Bucks to shop the EPS boutique of baby and mommy essentials.

  • Women's Resource Center of North Platte

    Free pregnancy testing, limited ultrasound and options information. Its Learn and Earn program helps with maternity clothes, baby clothing, diapers, formula, a new crib and more. A second center is open in Lexington (612 N Grant St, 308-408-6038). Text: (308) 650-3085.

Clothing / Supplies

  • Essential Pregnancy Services

    Free pregnancy testing in Omaha and Bellevue, plus Life Services: parenting and life-skills classes where moms earn Baby Bucks to shop the EPS boutique of baby and mommy essentials.

  • Women's Resource Center of North Platte

    Free pregnancy testing, limited ultrasound and options information. Its Learn and Earn program helps with maternity clothes, baby clothing, diapers, formula, a new crib and more. A second center is open in Lexington (612 N Grant St, 308-408-6038). Text: (308) 650-3085.

Domestic Violence

  • Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence — Find Help

    Statewide

    Statewide coalition whose Find Help page connects survivors with their local network service provider for free, confidential help, including emergency shelter, transportation, legal assistance, medical advocacy and 24-hour helplines. The coalition itself does not provide direct services. In an emergency, call 911.

Employment

  • Goodwill Omaha — Job Training & Career Services

    Free job training and placement programs: career coaching, job-search and résumé help, skills training, an accelerated CNA course, an adult high-school diploma program, and AbilityOne jobs for people with documented disabilities.

  • Heartland Workforce Solutions (American Job Center)

    Nonprofit that runs the American Job Center for the Greater Omaha area, helping adults, dislocated workers and youth find jobs and build skills. Second location: 3505 L St, Omaha.

  • Nebraska Department of Labor — Reemployment Services

    Statewide

    Statewide employment help: search jobs on NEworks, veteran and reentry employment services, training programs, and local American Job Center / career offices across Nebraska (listed on the Employment & Training contact page).

Potential Financial Assistance

  • Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska — Family Support Services

    Once-a-year financial help with rent, utility bills, prescriptions, vehicle repairs and transportation for households across southern Nebraska. Applications open online at set times by region (Lincoln on Fridays at 7 pm, Hastings on Mondays at 9 am); see the page for directions.

  • The Salvation Army — Omaha Metro Assistance Programs

    Material assistance in the Omaha area: fresh and canned food, clothing and household items, and help paying for prescriptions and utility bills. Pathway of Hope works with Omaha and Council Bluffs families on a plan toward stable goals (402-898-6002). Outside Omaha, contact your local Salvation Army.

Food Programs

  • Catholic Social Services — Food Market (Lincoln)

    Client-choice food market where families can shop once a month (Mon–Thu, 1–3 pm). Call Mon–Thu 8–8:30 am for a same-day appointment. Free breakfast and sack lunches weekdays at the O St. office; food pantries also in Auburn (402-327-6242) and Imperial (402-327-6298).

  • Food Bank for the Heartland — Find Food

    Map of food pantries and mobile pantry distributions across 93 counties in Nebraska and western Iowa. Its SNAP/Food Resources Hotline helps you find a pantry or apply for SNAP (Nebraska: 1-855-444-5556; Se habla Español). The food bank does not hand out food from its warehouse.

  • Food Bank of Lincoln — Get Food

    Food finder and distribution schedule for partner agencies and Food Bank of Lincoln distributions across its 16-county southeast Nebraska service area. Call each agency to confirm hours before visiting.

  • Heartland Hope Mission

    Choice food pantry (meat, produce, bread, dairy, groceries and hygiene items) with a clothing pantry; diapers for children under 3. South O pantry at 2021 U Street (Tue 6:30–7:30 pm, Thu 1:30–4 pm, Sat 9:30 am–noon) and West O at 15555 Industrial Rd. (Wed 1:30–3:30 pm).

Health Assistance

  • Charles Drew Health Center

    Community health centre offering medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services, WIC & SNAP, school-based health and Omaha Healthy Start. Care does not depend on insurance or ability to pay; ask about assistance programs.

  • OneWorld Community Health Centers

    Community health centre in Omaha: prenatal, birth and postpartum care from midwives, OB-GYNs and family medicine clinicians at its Women's Health Clinic, plus integrated behavioral health and psychiatric care. A sliding fee scale based on family size and income helps patients without insurance, and rides to appointments can be scheduled.

  • Nebraska Medicaid & CHIP (ACCESSNebraska)

    Statewide

    Health coverage for Nebraska children, pregnant women, parents and other adults who qualify, including the Children's Health Insurance Program. Apply online at iServe Nebraska, by phone, or on paper at a DHHS office. ACCESSNebraska toll-free outside Omaha/Lincoln: (855) 632-7633.

Housing Assistance & Shelters

  • Heartland Family Service — Rapid Rehousing

    Temporary (1–24 months) financial help, support services, and housing relocation and stabilization for individuals and families experiencing literal homelessness (living in a shelter or place not meant for habitation). Referrals must come through the Threshold Continuum of Care coordinated entry.

  • Siena Francis House

    Nebraska's largest provider of services to people experiencing homelessness: emergency shelter for men and women, meals, case management and addiction recovery. New guests complete the Threshold Coordinated Entry Assessment on arrival to be matched with housing.

Infant & Baby Equipment

  • York Pregnancy & Family Resource Center

    Free help for expectant parents and families in York and nearby communities: a weekly package of diapers and wipes for each child, baby toiletries, and an Earn While You Learn program whose points go toward larger items such as furniture, car seats, strollers and carriers. Open Saturdays 10 am–1 pm; also available by phone.

Mental Health & Postpartum Assistance

  • OneWorld Community Health Centers

    Community health centre in Omaha: prenatal, birth and postpartum care from midwives, OB-GYNs and family medicine clinicians at its Women's Health Clinic, plus integrated behavioral health and psychiatric care. A sliding fee scale based on family size and income helps patients without insurance, and rides to appointments can be scheduled.

Parenting Classes

  • Nebraska Children's Home Society — Healthy Families & Parent Support

    Free, voluntary Healthy Families America home visiting for mothers, fathers and caregivers who are pregnant or parenting a baby under three months in Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders and Lincoln counties: goal planning, child-development guidance and links to community resources. NCHS Pregnancy Services also supports expecting mothers and fathers, and its Young Parent Support Program offers parenting courses.

Pregnancy Centers

  • Assure Women's Center

    Free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, pregnancy-related STD/STI testing and treatment, and options information at two Omaha locations: 6510 Sorensen Pkwy. and 14225 Dayton Circle, Suite 2. All immigration statuses welcome; Spanish-speaking staff available.

  • Collage Center

    Free pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds, options information, and STD testing and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea, at three central Nebraska offices: Kearney, Grand Island (308-675-2217) and Columbus (402-835-2190).

  • Essential Pregnancy Services

    Free pregnancy testing in Omaha and Bellevue, plus Life Services: parenting and life-skills classes where moms earn Baby Bucks to shop the EPS boutique of baby and mommy essentials.

  • Women's Care Center (Lincoln)

    Free lab-quality pregnancy tests and, if positive, a free ultrasound, with caring staff to explain what comes next. Nebraska center: 1701 K St, Lincoln.

Special Needs Assistance

  • Easterseals Nebraska

    Statewide

    Serves children and adults with disabilities or other special needs, and their families, across Nebraska: Alternative Financing Solutions (low-interest loans for assistive technology), Nebraska AgrAbility and benefits planning. Offices in Omaha, Lincoln and Geneva. Toll-free: (800) 471-6425.

  • Munroe-Meyer Institute (UNMC)

    Statewide

    University of Nebraska Medical Center institute serving people with disabilities and complex health care needs and their families: clinical care, diagnosis information, lifespan resources and community programs. Most appointments are scheduled through its Patient Information Office.

  • PTI Nebraska (Parent Training and Information)

    Statewide

    Free information, training, resources and individualized support for Nebraska families of children with disabilities and special health care needs, from early childhood (birth to 3) through school age, including help with special education. Toll-free: (800) 284-8520.

Support for Fathers

  • Nebraska Children's Home Society — Healthy Families & Parent Support

    Free, voluntary Healthy Families America home visiting for mothers, fathers and caregivers who are pregnant or parenting a baby under three months in Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders and Lincoln counties: goal planning, child-development guidance and links to community resources. NCHS Pregnancy Services also supports expecting mothers and fathers, and its Young Parent Support Program offers parenting courses.

Transportation

  • Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska — Family Support Services

    Once-a-year financial help with rent, utility bills, prescriptions, vehicle repairs and transportation for households across southern Nebraska. Applications open online at set times by region (Lincoln on Fridays at 7 pm, Hastings on Mondays at 9 am); see the page for directions.

  • Nebraska Medicaid — Free Rides to Medical Appointments

    Statewide

    Heritage Health (Nebraska Medicaid) members may get free non-emergency rides to covered appointments through their health plan's broker, MTM. Nebraska Total Care: 1-844-261-7834 (book at least 2 working days ahead). UnitedHealthcare Community Plan: 1-888-777-6924. Molina: 1-888-889-0421.

Looking for more? Nationwide hotlines and programs that also serve Nebraska are in the full directory search. Know an organization that belongs here? Tell us about it.