University of Nebraska Public Policy Center


November 7, 2009NU | UNL | UNMC | UNO | UNK | IANR 

News and Events

Nebraska DHHS Awarded Grant Money for Suicide Prevention

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services was notified last week it will receive $500,000 per year for 3 years to implement best practices to prevent youth suicide. The grant is from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the US Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Health and Human Services will work with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center and Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska to carry out grant activities and evaluate project progress.

To view the full article, click here.

For more information, go to the Nebraska Suicide Prevention Project page

Citizen Input for Budgeting and Performance Management in Lincoln

The long-term goal of the project is to enable public managers and policymakers/elected officials to be intentional and evidence-based in selecting the components of their citizen involvement techniques used in budgeting, performance measurement, and management processes. This will maximize the value for both citizens and managers.

As part of our research, we worked with the City of Lincoln to develop an online survey that examined issues raised for the 2009-10 City budget as well as city department performance measures. The survey was one element of Mayor Beutler's "Taking Charge" effort that is looking closely at the programs and services in danger of being eliminated or reduced to balance the City's Budget. In addition to this survey, Lincolnites were invited to a public discussion.

Key Partners
City of Lincoln Mayor’s Office

Funding
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Press ReleasesPDF file
April 21, 2009

Other Media
Taking Charge Public Service Announcement
Video of the City of Lincoln Budget 101 Presentation is available in 320 by 240 and 640 by 480 formats. Video of the Directors Q&A is available in 320 by 240 and 640 by 480 formats.
Video of the Group Results is available in 320 by 240 and 640 by 480 formats.
Video of the Interview with Alan Tomkins and Mayor Buetler on Channel 5 is available in 320 by 240 and 640 by 480 formats.

Related Publications:

In The News
Nature Center Deserves Reprieve. (2009, August 11). Lincoln Journal Star.
South Branch Library Included in Mayor's Budget. (2009, August). Country Club Neighborhood Association Newsletter.
Mayor Seeks Delay on Nature Center Admission Fee. (2009, August 6). Lincoln Journal Star.
Local View: Five Steps to an Acceptable Budget. (2009, June 24). Lincoln Journal Star.
Local View: Mayor's Survey Unprofessional. (2009, June 24). Lincoln Journal Star.
Letters, 6/15: Results Tainted. (2009, June 15). Lincoln Journal Star.
Budget Survey Results Cause Controversy. (2009, June 3). 10-11 News, KOLN.
Online Budget Survey Results Released. (2009, June 3). Eyewitness News, KLKN.
Survey: Many Willing To Pay For Services. (2009, June 3). Lincoln Journal Star.
Local View: Survey About Making a Difference. (2009, May 31). Lincoln Journal Star.
Local View: Don't Depend Too Much On Survey. (2009, May 26). Lincoln Journal Star.
Cuts Questioned at City Budget Discussion. (2009, May 17). Lincoln Journal Star.
Local View: Public Opinion Survey Results Will Be Valuable. (2009, April 30). Lincoln Journal Star.
Photo Question: How Much Should an Online Survey Influence Mayor Chris Beutler and the City Council In Their Budget Decisions? (2009, April 27). Lincoln Journal Star.
Be Wary of Survey Results. (2009, April 26). Lincoln Journal Star.
Mayor Launches Online Budget Survey. (2009, April 21). 10-11 News, KOLN.
Mayor: Lincoln's Budget Picture Bad. (2009, April 21). Lincoln Journal Star.

Lead Contact:
Name: Alan Tomkins
E-mail: atomkins@nebraska.edu
Phone: (402) 472-5688


Staff Researchers:

Name: Tarik Abdel-Monem
E-mail: tabdelmonem@nebraska.edu
Phone: (402) 472-3147

Name: Mitch Herian
E-mail: mnherian@nebraska.edu
Phone: (402) 472-2520

Name: Lisa Pytlik Zillig
E-mail: lpytlikzillig2@unl.edu
Phone: (402) 472-6877