Council approves two health department grants to continue minority health work and help refugees after resettlement period

The City Council approved two grant agreements July 14 authorizing funds for the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Health Department to continue minority health initiatives and to serve newly arrived refugees who lose access to resettlement agency services after the initial 90‑day period.

Carrie Kernan, health director, said the minority health initiative is Year 4 of a four‑year federal grant that will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, and continue work addressing social determinants of health with a focus on mental‑health supports and chronic disease prevention. Kernan said the program works with six cultural centers to train community health workers, peer support specialists and provide “mental health first aid” and wraparound support to help people navigate resources, transportation and language assistance.

Kernan also described a separate grant from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to help refugees who fall off the 90‑day resettlement period. The department was one of two of 14 statewide awardees. Kernan said the health department expects to serve about 200 individuals over the two‑year grant period, with a goal that 75% of those served will have a plan of care and that of those, 80% will close their plans of care during the grant period.

Both grants were introduced and, according to the transcript, carried on a roll call 7‑0. There were no public comments on either item during the provided excerpt.