SENCA

Program Overview

Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership Inc. (SENCA) provides a variety of literacy programs designed specifically to help economically challenged households throughout the southeast Nebraska counties of Cass, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Richardson as they work to achieve economic stability.

SENCA Head Start is a preschool program for 3-5 year old low-income children. Head Start is a child-focused program and has the overall goal of increasing school readiness of young children in low-income families. Comprehensive child development services, school readiness, and family support are provided through center-based options. SENCA Head Start works closely with various community partners to build relationships that better serve children, families, and the communities. SENCA has five Head Start preschools located in Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Richardson counties. SENCA also offers three collaboration sites located within the Falls City Public, HTRS and Auburn public school systems.

The SENCA Job Skills Program provides applicants financial assistance in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Classes are offered through Southeast Community College and are approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Students learn basic nursing skills and will then be able to work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, home health care, hospice or mental health facilities. Program Eligibility Guidelines Applicants must be under 200% of the poverty level for the current year. Tuition cost is based on a sliding fee scale. Those at 100% of poverty receive 100% loan funding, Those at 150% of poverty contribute 25% of the cost; and 200% of poverty contribute 50% of the cost. SENCA is looking to expand funding for additional job skills opportunities outside of CNA as program funding allows.

SENCA SMART is a financial literacy program presented to area school students ranging from the eighth through twelfth grade. The program consists of a 90 minute poverty simulation followed by an hour long presentation on achieving and maintaining economic stability. Trained staff highlight skills such as budgeting (creating a personal spending plan), money management, communication, understanding credit, and the importance of education and how it affects jobs and earning capacity. The program is offered to schools throughout SENCA's six core county service area. A pre and post-test help measure the students increased knowledge and skill. Adult classes are also available.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

“SENCA SMART is an amazing program that shows all students what help is out there for families that find themselves in financial hardship.
This helps our low income students know how to help their families and helps our average and high income students know how to help their friends and classmates that may be in a financial hardship. We never know what situation we will find ourselves in someday so for all of our students to learn about the programs available is invaluable."

— Mrs. Bickford, Weeping Water High School Guidance Counselor

SENCA Job Skills

Samuel participated in SENCA's Job Skills program with a focus on welding. “As a certified welder I am now making over $3,000 a month," shares Samuel. “We exited SENCA's Project First Transitional Homeless Program with the confidence that we can do more than 'just survive,' we can thrive."