Rooted in Relationships is an initiative of the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, funded through a public-private partnership. We recognize the fundamental power and importance of the earliest relationships in the lives of very young children. The initiative targets specific service systems and partners with communities to assist in the development and implementation of long-range plans to support the social‐emotional development of children, birth through age 8.
The interactions in a child’s earliest years are critical to future success in learning, social competency, and prevention of mental health problems. The social-emotional development that takes place during this time is strongly influenced by the quality of the relationship between young children and their primary caregivers. This importance has been recognized in Nebraska both by public and private studies, planning efforts and initiatives.
Vision:
Nebraska will have a statewide system of care that promotes the social and emotional competence and school readiness of all children from birth through age 8.
Mission:
The work of this three-year initiative is focused on the following three goals/critical outcomes:
-
Nebraska has shared principles, definitions, and collaborative practice related to screening, assessment, adult/child interactions which promote the positive development of the “whole child”, and includes ongoing evaluation for continuous improvement
-
Early care and education environments meet the social and emotional needs of all children in their care
-
Improved social emotional competence of children from birth through age 8
Leadership
-
Lynne Brehm
Lynne Brehm is the Associate Vice President for Early Childhood Mental Health at Nebraska Children (NC) and has been with the organization Since April 2013. In her role at NC, Lynne has been responsible for developing the early childhood mental health initiative, Rooted in Relationships which includes working with state and community partners to ensure systems’ support the social and emotional well-being of Nebraska's youngest citizens. Previously she coordinated the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Initiative, Together for Kids and Families at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services since the grant project began in 2003. Additionally, Lynne has worked in the area of child welfare, specifically coordinating a program designed to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect through provision of supportive services such as home visitation and respite. Lynne holds a Masters in Human Development and the Family with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and has worked to support families in a variety of capacities since 1985. Lynne holds a Masters in Human Development and the Family from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and has worked to support families in a variety of capacities in state government since 1985.
Lynne can be reached at lbrehm@nebraskachildren.org or (402) 858-5396.
