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School and Family Enrichment (SAFE)

SAFE is a collaborative effort involving the Omaha Public Schools (OPS), Region Behavioral Health Care, Heartland Family Services, and Child Saving Institute. The program goal is to provide, at no cost to the family and on a voluntary basis, a home-based family support specialist and mental health counseling as needed.

The SAFE program serves the families of children in OPS from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Children are referred to the program by school personnel based on the youth’s behavior at school, attendance, and other individual challenges. Parents can approach school personnel and request referral to the program.

The family support specialist assists the family and the school in focusing on family strengths and setting individual goals. Service focus is on specific behavioral outcomes that relate to the following areas:

Home management and daily living skills
Parenting skills
Connection with community resources (housing, counseling, food pantries, etc.)
Communication between home and school
Social/emotional development of children

Support services offered through the SAFE program are free of charge to the child and the family. Therapy services are billed through the families insurance or offered on a sliding fee scale.

The SAFE program provides mentors who assist in development of:

Socialization skills
Coping skills
Enhanced self image
Responsible decision-making

Nate, 10, participated in CSI’s SAFE (School and Family Enrichment) program. At the time he was attending 4th grade in an OPS elementary school. He was referred by his school counselor due to Nate’s disruptive and defiant behaviors in the classroom. Nate had difficulty controlling his anger and getting to school on-time resulting in multiple school suspensions. Nate was recently reassigned to a different OPS elementary school due to possession of marijuana in school.

The SAFE program assisted Nate in learning to express his anger through healthy outlets, in following rules and shaping his own behaviors by respecting authorities and utilizing age-appropriate problem-solving strategies. SAFE assisted Nate in transitioning to a new school in a BD (behavior disorder) classroom, where he receives individual guidance from teachers. The program also helped Nate connect with service providers.

His mother said, “Nate is doing well in his new school and at home.” Nate believes he is doing well by controlling his own behavior. His mother is pleased with the outcome and the “re-born Nate."

For more information, please call CSI at (402) 553-6000 or contact your OPS school principal or counselor.