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Responding To The Storm: Exploring The Psychological Support Of Emergency Responders After The May 2004 Storms In Southeast Nebraska, Denise Bulling, Stacey Hoffman, Martin Klein, Brooke Olsen, Harry Walles

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

A large number of emergency personnel were involved in the response to the May 2004 storms that devastated a 52 mile swath of Southeast Nebraska. Emergency workers who responded the night of the storm were exposed to bad weather, darkness, and uncertainty about their own safety. Later, they were asked to work alongside survivors and neighbors who had lost everything amidst widespread destruction of farms, homes, and businesses. Some, but not all of the emergency personnel were offered formal psychological support services like critical incident debriefing to assist with the emotional processing of the event.

The research literature is mixed …

Developmental Disabilities Service Coordination In Nebraska (Final Report Summary)

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

The LR 42 Service Coordination Workgroup, coordinated by the office of State Senator Dennis Byars, asked the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center to conduct a study of developmental disabilities service coordination in Nebraska. The Public Policy Center explored the perceptions and experiences of a variety of stakeholders involved in the service coordination system for people with developmental disabilities. The goal of the research project was to better understand:

• Stakeholder satisfaction with service coordination
• The roles and responsibilities service coordinators currently are fulfilling
• The importance of various aspects of service coordination
• How service coordination may be …

The "Dance Of Disaster", Caroline Walles

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

For almost three years, Nebraska has been viewing disaster behavioral health as an integral component of the response which takes place at the time of a disaster. In fact, the need for disaster behavioral health as part of the immediate or first response to a disaster has been written into the state’s formal disaster plan. However, because there is a shortage of behavioral health providers in Nebraska (88 of 93 counties are considered shortage areas) partnerships with “natural helpers” – including clergy and faith leaders – are being forged. Out of this necessity has come the Nebraska Disaster Chaplain Network, …

Developmental Disabilities Service Coordination In Nebraska

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary
Introduction
Statewide Results
Service Coordinator Activities -- Proportion of Time Spent and Importance
Mean Comparisons -- Service Coordinators and Provider Employees
Service Coordinator Responses by Service Area
Service Coordinator Responses by Years of Experience
Service Coordinator Responses by Education Level
Service Coordinator Responses by Number of Providers
Provider Employee Responses by Service Area
Provider Employee Team Experience by Service Area
Provider Employee Responses by Years of Team Experience
Comparisons across Three Surveys
References

Report To The Nebraska Supreme Court On Indigent Defense Systems And Fee Structures, Nebraska Minority Justice Committee

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

On May 18, 2005 the Nebraska Supreme Court adopted the following resolution: “The Minority and Justice Implementation Committee shall study indigency attorney fee structures statewide and report and make recommendations, if any, to the Supreme Court regarding indigency fees throughout the State of Nebraska.”

The Nebraska Supreme Court’s resolution was influenced by a certain county’s attempt to establish a flat fee for court appointed attorneys. The legal profession’s concern with this policy is that such a drastic rate reduction would likely encourage attorneys to spend less time on court appointed cases, and discourage more experienced attorneys from accepting court appointments …

Cleaning Up After The Storm: Lessons Learned From The Experiences Of Disaster Volunteers After The May 2004 Storms In Southeast Nebraska, Denise Bulling, Stacey Hoffman, Elissa Dahlberg

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

A survey was sent to clean-up volunteers 17 months after they helped with debris removal from an area in Nebraska devastated by tornadoes. The survey asked about their experiences and perceptions related to that volunteer work. The 622 respondents offered suggestions to enhance the processes used to deploy and supervise disaster clean-up volunteers. These respondents were generally older and more educated than the demographics of the area would suggest. They reported being motivated to volunteer primarily for altruistic reasons and generally had positive experiences. Those volunteers who reported experiencing some distress as a result of their disaster volunteer experience were …

Results For Nebraska, Models For The Nation

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center has impacted policy-relevant change throughout the state and in national policy efforts as well. Here’s a quick look at some of our outcomes “by the numbers” over the past three years:
• Administered Minority and Justice Initiative, which, among other reforms, brought about the passage of two Nebraska state laws to improve the representativeness of juries.
• Awarded $1.5 million to organizations involved in providing behavioral health services to Nebraskans.
• Trained nearly 600 school personnel, health care professionals, faith leaders, and community members to provide psychological first-aid services in response to disasters. …

Progress Report 2005, Nebraska Minority And Justice Implementation Committee

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

The Nebraska Minority and Justice Implementation Committee is a unique statewide collaboration that works to develop and implement just and sustainable policy reforms that will not only improve the system of justice but will also strengthen public trust and confidence in our laws and court system. The Committee is a joint effort of the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Nebraska Supreme Court, appointed by the Supreme Court in May of 2003 in response to a Task Force’s two-year investigation of racial and ethnic bias and discrimination in Nebraska’s justice system. The mission of the Committee is to achieve four …

Disaster Chaplains Who Provide Spiritual First Aid, Caroline Walles

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

For almost three years, Nebraska has been viewing disaster behavioral health as an integral component of the response which takes place at the time of a disaster. In fact, the need for disaster behavioral health as part of the immediate or first response to a disaster has been written into the state’s formal disaster plan. However, because there is a shortage of behavioral health providers in Nebraska (88 of 93 counties are considered shortage areas) partnerships with “natural helpers” – including clergy and faith leaders – are being forged. Out of this necessity has come the Nebraska Disaster Chaplain Network, …

Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration (Samhsa) Targeted Capacity Expansion Grants To Enhance State Capacity For Emergency Mental Health And Substance Abuse Response, Denise Bulling, James S. Harvey

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

The Division of Behavioral Health Services within the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is authorized under the Nebraska Behavioral Health Services Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-801 to 71-820). The Division of Behavioral Health Services extended through September 30, 2005 its Intergovernmental Agreement (#HHSBH-04-Emergency Response – 1) with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center to coordinate and manage the second year activities of the Nebraska All-Hazards Behavioral Health Response and Recovery Capacity Expansion Grant, in coordination with activities funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) hospital preparedness bioterrorism grant.

Newcomers In Nebraska’S Rural Communities 2006 Nebraska Rural Poll Results, Rebecca J. Vogt, Randolph Cantrell, Bruce Johnson, Alan Tomkins

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

Population loss in rural Nebraska communities has been a concern, but many communities across the state have experienced population gains during the past decade. Are rural Nebraskans aware of new residents living in their community? How do they feel about their community’s new residents? What do they think will happen to their community’s population during the next ten years?

This report details 2,482 responses to the 2006 Nebraska Rural Poll, the eleventh annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about new residents in their community and their expectations regarding population growth in their …

Nebraska Behavioral Health Situation Manual – Avian Influenza, Keith F.Hansen, Denise Bulling

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

Purpose This exercise gives participants an opportunity to evaluate current response concepts, plans, and capabilities for a behavioral health response to an Avian Influenza outbreak. The exercise will focus on key state and local coordination, critical decisions, risk communications and the integration of external assets necessary to minimize the psychological effects of an Avian Influenza outbreak.

Scope This exercise examines the role of assets from Behavioral Health, Public Health, Agricultural, and other entities in Nebraska. Processes and decision making are more important than minute details.

Design Objectives Exercise design objectives are focused on improving understanding of a response concept, identifying …

Responding To The Storm: Exploring The Psychological Support Of Emergency Responders After The May 2004 Storms In Southeast Nebraska, Denise Bulling, Stacey J. Hoffman, Martin R. Klein, Brooke Olsen, Harry Walles

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

A large number of emergency personnel were involved in the response to the May 2004 storms that devastated a 52 mile swath of Southeast Nebraska. Emergency workers who responded the night of the storm were exposed to bad weather, darkness, and uncertainty about their own safety. Later, they were asked to work alongside survivors and neighbors who had lost everything amidst widespread destruction of farms, homes, and businesses. Some, but not all of the emergency personnel were offered formal psychological support services like critical incident debriefing to assist with the emotional processing of the event.

The research literature is mixed …

Recent Efforts To Make Nebraska Juries More Representative Of Their Communities, Carly Duvall, Elizabeth Neeley

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

According to the Minority and Justice Task Force Report (2003), “the majority of Nebraskans believe that it is important that juries reflect the racial and ethnic makeup of the community.” Preliminary data obtained as part of the Task Force’s inquiry into representation of minorities on petit juries call into question whether Nebraska juries are representative of their communities. This concern has prompted several statewide policy reforms that are designed to increase representation of minorities on juries regardless of whether there has been a problem in the State. The first reform involved regular refreshing of jury pool lists (LB 19 and …

Genetically Modified Foods: Attitudes And Knowledge In The Heart Of The Farm Belt, Usa, Alan Tomkins, Ian Christensen, John Fulwider, Kim Loontjer, Tarik Abdel-Monem, Dana Cohn

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

What do “average citizens” think about genetically modified foods (GMF)? Do their potential benefits outweigh their risks? Should food products containing GM ingredients be so labeled?

Surveys of attitudes toward GM foods and discussions on the topic in the US have been plentiful. The research typically indicates at least a low level of concern about GMFs. Yet GMFs continue to be prevalent in the American food marketplace. Whatever concerns Americans may have, they have not adversely impacted the production or consumption of GM foods. Indeed, there have not been sufficient political pressures in the US to require the labeling of …

Nebraska Behavioral Health All Hazards Disaster Response And Recovery Plan, Denise Bulling, James S. Harvey

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

The process resulting from this grant has created the expectation that behavioral health is a natural partner in disaster response planning in the state of Nebraska. Partners in the planning process have expressed a fear that lack of continued funding at some level will place the progress made to date in jeopardy. The SAMHSA funding made available for this capacity development has already resulted in the development of relationships that made possible the following: • Nebraska received its first FEMA CCP grant in May 2004. • Nebraska received its second FEMA CCP grant in August 2005, to serve displaced survivors …

Responding To Katrina: A Mental Health Guide To Providing Culturally Competent Mental Health Services To Evacuees And Their Support Systems, Leon D. Caldwell

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

There is no doubt that the devastation levied by hurricane Katrina is unprecedented in the lifetime of a vast majority of Americans’. The loss and damage to property is no comparison to the loss of human life and the damage to the human spirit experienced by the victims of hurricane Katrina Many mental health practitioners will heed the call to volunteer their expertise and time to assist victims and evacuees through the Red Cross and other organizations. The purpose of this abbreviated guide is to assist those practitioners with limited experiences with African American and economically disadvantaged clients and consumers …

The Nebraska Minority Justice Committee Progress Report 2006

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

CONTENTS:
Representative Juries Project
Access to Justice Issue of The Nebraska Lawyer
Uniform Juror Qualification Form
Assigned Counsel Fee Study
Improvement of Data Collection
Second Annual Legal Diversity Summit
Supporting Law School Initiatives
Nebraska Legal Diversity Website
Barristers’ Ball 2006
Priority Projects
Raising Awareness
Feedback and Questions
Members of the Minority Justice Committee

Chechens Win First Claims In The European Court Of Human Rights In Khashiyev & Akayeva V. Russia, Tarik Abdel-Monem

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

In Khashiyev & Akayeva v. Russia, the European Court of Human Rights unanimously found Russia in violation of Article 2-right to lifeand Article 3-prohibition of torture-of the European Convention on Human Rights ("the Convention") 2 for its military operations in the Republic of Chechnya. The Court also found Russia in violation of Article 13- right to an effective remedy-by a vote of five to two. Khashiyev and Akayeva were the first of six claims filed with the Court in early 2000 against Russia for alleged violations of the Convention in its war against Chechen nationalists.

The plaintiffs in Khashiyev …