Bellevue Mayor Rita Sanders, joined Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development at a ceremony Monday afternoon to recognize Community Development Week in Nebraska. Governor Ricketts proclaimed the week of April 2- 6 Community Development Week in Nebraska. Governor Rickett's stated that this is, "the 44th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program which is a federally funded program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs". Throughout the week of April 2nd through April 6th, communities all over the country will celebrate the accomplishments they have achieved which helped them prosper and grow. The City of Bellevue would like to thank Governor Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for recognizing Community Development Week and for providing the opportunity to highlight the impact of this program throughout the state.
Mayor Sanders and the City of Bellevue also took the opportunity to recognize the important impact of the CDBG program in our community by presenting the Sarpy County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program with Bellevue's CDBG Achievement Award for 2018.
The Sarpy County CASA program provides trained volunteer advocacy for families going through the Juvenile Court of Sarpy County to ensure that the needs and best interest of the child are met.
The Sarpy County CASA Program began in 1986 and has since grown to 117 volunteers serving and advocating for 236 children. To better serve the families in Bellevue with children in foster care, the Sarpy County CASA program opened an office, volunteer training space and family visitation center in Olde Towne Bellevue. The space offers a neutral atmosphere that is family-friendly, safe, and comfortable for children spending time with their parents during what can often be a very difficult time.
The City of Bellevue through the CDBG program was pleased to assist Sarpy County CASA with continued operation of the Bellevue Visitation Center to provide a much needed service that is accessible to our community with a positive and lasting impact on the lives of children and their families.
Sarpy County CASA's Executive Director, Paula Creps was on hand to accept the award and the City of Bellevue would like to thank Sarpy County CASA for opportunity to partner with them to improve the services and their outreach in our community. The City of Bellevue would also like to thank Ben Ungerman from Congressman Don Bacon's Office for participating in this Proclamation Event and supporting the CDBG Program on the Federal level.
For more information on the City of Bellevue's CDBG Program please go to: http://www.bellevue.net/departments/cdbg/overview