FAMILY Committee

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​​​​The FAMILY Committee's Purpose

Started in September 2024, Nebraska's Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant (Title V) started the Families Advising on MCH Interests Through Leadership and Community (FAMILY) Committee.

The FAMILY Committee's goal is to ensure that Title V programs and policies reflect the real-life experiences of the families they serve.

As of July 2025, the FAMILY Committee has nine members representing households with a wide range of backgrounds and family structures. Committee members hope to grow and continue to diversify the committee to elevate the perspectives of families who regularly engage with programs aiming to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By including these voices in decision-making, the committee will ensure Nebraska's MCH initiatives are meaningful, effective, and inclusive.

Current Members

Member	Current Town
Josh Arias (Group Facilitator)	Lincoln
April Caples	Lincoln
Krista Koch	Lincoln
Alicia Manley	Scottsbluff
Elpidia Novoa	Hastings
Amy Ramos	Columbus
Teshawna Sawyer	Grand Island
Jessica Seberger (Title V staff)	Lincoln
Dana Wockenfuss	Norfolk​

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Get Involved

Want to make a difference in your community and have an impact across Nebraska? Apply to be a part of Nebraska's FAMILY Committee!

This committee is for you if:

• You are the primary caregiver for someone age birth-21.
• You are an advocate for families and their well-being.
• You want to grow your leadership skills and enjoy working on a team with diverse experiences.
• You have a desire to learn about health outcomes and preventive programs to help support families.
• Are interested - you do not need to speak English, interpreter services provided.

Our Commitments

• Learning about statewide programs and brainstorming new strategies to support Nebraska families.
• Traveling to attend meetings as necessary (regular attendance is required).
• Attending two to four virtual meetings a year (1-2 hours each).
• Attending four in-person meetings a year across Nebraska (3-5 hours each). (Meeting dates are set by the committee members.)
• Meeting time is paid by Title V; approved mileage, childcare, and meal costs are reimbursable.
• Making a 3-year commitment .
• Participating in action steps to improve resources for Nebraskans.

If you speak a language other than English and Spanish, email Jessica.seberger@nebraska.gov​ for more information.

APPLY to join the FAMILY Committee!​

Committee Activities

Driven by their lived experience throughout Nebraska, the FAMILY Committee advises Title V on the appropriateness of the planned strategies to address Title V's priority needs. 

Every five years, the Title V MCH Block Grant invites stakeholders to participate in a comprehensive needs assessment for women, infants, children, youth, and children and youth with special health care needs. 

The group drafts issue briefs that describe 7-10 priority needs that will drive Title V's work for the next five years. The Title V team develops an action plan to monitor their progress towards better health year after year. Title V works collaboratively with more than 20 partner organizations to make progress annually.

The FAMILY Committee provides Title V with reflections on proposed activities. Title V staff take feedback from the group and use that to hone and strengthen the action plan. 

This cycle repeats over time as the group meets with Title V staff quarterly.

Activity Timeline