Press Release: Children's Nebraska Awards 2026 Community Impact Grants to Advance Child Health Through Community Partnerships

OMAHA, Neb. – Children's Nebraska is investing in the health of children long before they ever need medical care, awarding four Community Impact Grants to nonprofit organizations working to address the social determinants of health that shape children's wellbeing.

The 2026-2027 grant recipients are advancing community-based solutions that improve health outcomes for children and families. While the grant program broadly supports projects addressing social determinants of health, this year's funded initiatives all focus on one critical need: housing stability.

The 2026-2027 Community Impact Grant recipients are:

• Micah House – Emergency Shelter and Support Services for Children Facing Homelessness

• Restoring Dignity – Welcome Home Family Education Program: South Sudanese Outreach

• Stephen Center – Foundations for Growth: Pediatric Occupational Therapy for Children Experiencing Homelessness

• Youth Emergency Services (YES) – Stable Homes, Strong Families: Housing Stability for Youth and Their Families

Each organization will receive a $30,000 grant over an 18-month funding cycle to implement projects that improve health outcomes for children by addressing social determinants of health. In addition to funding, grant recipients will participate in a learning collaborative with Children's Nebraska to strengthen partnerships, share best practices and better understand the impact of their work.

Since launching the Community Impact Grant program in 2013, Children's Nebraska has invested nearly $2 million in community partnerships supporting children and families throughout Nebraska and western Iowa. "Children's Nebraska is committed to improving child health by partnering with organizations that address the social and environmental factors influencing a family's wellbeing," said Megan Connelly, vice president of Ambulatory Services and Community Outreach at Children's Nebraska. "This year's grant recipients are addressing critical needs in our community, and together we're creating stronger foundations for children and families to thrive."

The Community Impact Grant program is informed by Children's Nebraska's Pediatric Community Health Needs Assessment, which identifies the most significant health needs affecting children and families across the region. The assessment found that financial stability, housing stability and food security are among the most pressing challenges impacting children's health. Community stakeholders also identified housing as one of the greatest opportunities for collaborative investment to improve child health outcomes.

Although the grant opportunity invited proposals addressing a broad range of social determinants of health, this year's four selected projects each focused on housing stability, underscoring the critical role safe, stable housing plays in children's health and development.

The funded projects will:

• Micah House will provide emergency shelter and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness, helping children access safe housing while families work toward long-term stability.

• Restoring Dignity will expand culturally responsive housing education for South Sudanese refugee families, helping them safely navigate home maintenance, health and safety practices, and life in their new communities.

• Stephen Center will increase access to pediatric occupational therapy services for children living in shelter, supporting developmental milestones and reducing barriers to healthy growth.

• Youth Emergency Services (YES) will expand housing stability services for pregnant and parenting youth and young families, helping create safe, stable homes for parents and their children.

Research consistently demonstrates that social determinants of health—including stable housing, financial security, access to nutritious food and safe neighborhoods—have a profound influence on children's lifelong health and wellbeing. By investing in trusted community partners addressing these needs, Children's Nebraska is helping build healthier futures for children beyond the walls of the hospital.

To learn more about Children's Nebraska's Community Impact Grant program and Community Health & Advocacy initiatives, visit Children's Nebraska's Community Benefit and Engagement.

About Children's Nebraska

Children's Nebraska is the state's leading pediatric healthcare provider, home to Nebraska's only Level IV regional neonatal intensive care unit, the state's first and only Level I pediatric trauma center, and the only nationally ranked Level 4 epilepsy center dedicated exclusively to children. Recognized as a 2025-26 Best Children's Hospital by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Nebraska ranks among the nation's best in Nephrology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Pulmonology and Lung Surgery. An independent, nonprofit organization, Children's Nebraska leads with a People First philosophy and is consistently recognized for excellence as an employer, including honors from Forbes, the Women's Choice Award and Mental Health America's Gold Bell Seal.