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Heartland Family Service asks Bellevue council to support ASAP case-management work tied to opioid funds
Summary
Heartland Family Service presented its ASAP crisis-case management program and requested funding through Sarpy County opioid funds to continue case management for people encountered by law enforcement after behavioral-health crises.
Emily Boardman, director of community-based crisis services at Heartland Family Service, and ASAP case manager Brenton Donaldson presented the agency’s ASAP case-management program at the Bellevue City Council meeting on March 4, urging support for continued funding through Sarpy County opioid-related funds.
Boardman said the ASAP case manager responds when local law enforcement encounters people in mental-health crisis, including those who are suicidal, under the influence, unhoused, or without access to basic resources. “Our case manager was born because our law enforcement agencies themselves identified that there was a gap in services among people who were exiting crisis,” Boardman said, adding the program helps connect people to housing, Medicaid, SNAP benefits and therapy.
Donaldson described his role: “What I try to do is give people the tools necessary that they need in order to be successful…It’s my job to kind of keep them routed and help them get to that next level,” he said, describing hands-on assistance with applications and follow-up contact.
Boardman told the council the position began last April–May and that caseloads have increased: the first case manager had about 30 clients; after tracking referrals more closely since January, the team has seen about 25–27 referrals in recent months and expects growth. She said the presentation included handouts summarizing top needs from referrals.
Why it matters: The ASAP case-management role bridges law enforcement contacts and community services. Council acceptance of funding requests or partnership would affect how people are routed after crisis contacts and could reduce repeated emergency interactions.
Next steps: Boardman and Donaldson left handouts with the council and thanked members for their time; the transcript records the presentation and the funding request but does not record a formal council vote on financial support at this meeting.
