DHHS Highlights Foster Care Month and Continued Demand for Foster Families
May is recognized as National Foster Care Month. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is celebrating the dedicated foster parents and foster homes who provide safe, stable, and supportive environments for children and youth across Nebraska.
Annual Pony Express Ride Returns for 2026
Volunteer motorcyclists will travel over 1,000 miles across Nebraska, collecting letters written by youth and raising awareness about children’s mental health. The ride will start on Wednesday, May 13, in Scottsbluff and finish on Saturday, May 16, on the North steps of the Nebraska State Capitol, where the riders will deliver these letters to Dr. Thomas Janousek, Division of Behavioral Health Director within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Lincoln Regional Center to Host 47th Annual Arbor Day Ceremony
On Thursday, April 23 at 1:30 p.m., the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will plant trees at the Lincoln Regional Center (LRC) to memorialize and honor the legacy of past teammates who contributed to mental health treatment.
Ensure Your Children Are Protected Against Preventable Diseases
Early April is an exciting time for Nebraska families as kindergarten registration gets underway, marking an important milestone for young children. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging parents to ensure their children are ready for both school and upcoming popular summer sporting events that will bring an increased number of visitors to our state and region. This includes checking that all routine vaccinations are up to date, helping protect against preventable diseases such as chickenpox, measles, mumps, and whooping cough (pertussis), which continue to pose risks to children and the broader community.
2026 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Award Winners Announced
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) announced the winners of the 2026 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Awards.
Tick Season Arrives With Warmer Weather; DHHS Offers Tips to Prevent Illness
As spring and summer mark peak tick activity in Nebraska, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services urges all residents to remain vigilant and take simple steps to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their pets from diseases spread by ticks such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Alpha-Gal Syndrome, also known as the red meat allergy.
Celebrating National Public Health Week
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services celebrates National Public Health Week from April 6 to 12, 2026. Public health touches every part of life, from access to clean water and air to providing the education and resources that help Nebraskans live better lives.
Nebraska Becomes Eighth State to Join “A Home for Every Child” Initiative
Nebraska has become the eighth state to join the Administration of Children and Families' “A Home for Every Child” initiative. The initiative aims to right-size the ratio of foster homes to the number of kids in foster care, bringing it closer to a 1:1 ratio.
DHHS Recognizes March as Social Worker Month
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) proudly recognizes March as Social Worker Month, celebrating the hard work of frontline staff as they support children and families in Nebraska communities.
Nebraska Observes Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) invites all Nebraskans to celebrate Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to spotlighting the achievements made by and for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Access Free Quit Medications Through Nebraska Tobacco Quitline
The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline is offering free quit medications to eligible Nebraskans through June 30, 2026, or while supplies last.
First Pediatric Influenza Death Reported in Nebraska
The first pediatric influenza (flu)-related death in Nebraska has been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the 2025 to 2026 season.
Nebraska Reports Update on Confirmed Measles Cases
Four confirmed measles cases in Platte County have been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, all of which are limited to a single household, with two cases currently active. Thus far, no community spread has been identified. Due to privacy, no further information will be provided.
Nebraska Medicaid Seeking Clinical Provider to Fill Committee Position
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care (MLTC) is seeking a Medicaid clinical provider to fill an open position in the Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC).
DHHS Honors Families on National Adoption Day
This year, November 22 is recognized as National Adoption Day – a day to celebrate families who have opened their hearts and homes to children in need of permanent, loving families, and to raise awareness about the ongoing need for adoptive families.
UPDATE: Products Linked to Infant Botulism Outbreak Expanded
All ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products have been recalled, which includes all unexpired lots of formula cans and single-serve “anywhere” sticks. This recall has been expanded from two lot numbers (LOT: 206VABP/251261P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026") and LOT: 206VABP/251131P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026")) to include all products. Retailers selling this product in Nebraska include Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods Market.
Nebraska Recognizes Red Ribbon Week
October 23 – 31 is Red Ribbon Week, a time to reflect on the consequences of drug use and the role parents, educators, health care professionals, peers, and all citizens of Nebraska can play in preventing drug use by encouraging healthy behaviors, raising awareness, and directing those who need help to seek assistance.
Nebraska Highlights Access to Recovery Resources This September
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) recognizes September as National Recovery Month, a time to focus on hope, healing, and a full life lived in recovery from alcohol and substance use.
Governor Pillen Honors Nebraska’s First Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics System
Today, Governor Pillen joined leadership from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and South Central Behavioral Services (SCBS) to recognize the inaugural seven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) as an initiative to enhance access to the highest standard of behavioral health care in Nebraska.
Prioritizing Health and Wellness During the Back-to-School Period
As students prepare to head back to classrooms this August, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recognizes the critical role physical, mental, and emotional well-being play in academic success.