Purpose

To provide a mechanism for collaborative efforts to improve communication and achieve greater access to affordable and quality healthcare, education, information, resources, and services for the North Omaha community.

Vision

To promote optimal health and well-being of adults, children and families who work, live, worship and do business in the North Omaha community.

Mission

To help promote ethnic diversity and cultural understanding essential to improving the overall health of Nebraskans through premier educational programs, innovative research to include community based participatory research and outreach to underserved populations in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

History

The North Omaha Community Care Council was an idea and concept introduced to the faculty and staff of UNMC in the spring of 1996. Robin Kammandel, RN advocated developing a closer relationship with the local communities through the development of Community Partnership. The formulation of a community advisory board was begun with the idea that members would either live, work or own businesses in the North Omaha area. The recruitment of 20 community members and one ex-official member from the Douglas County Board of Health would encompass the working advisory board.

This board would develop its own governing By-Laws and policies for operation. A budget was given to Robin Kammandel to start operations and engagement with the community. In the fall of 1996, a Community Liaison was hired to facilitate over the newly formed NOCCC. Mr. Wayne R. Houston would be tasked with the development of By-Laws and policies, member recruitment, bi-monthly meetings, sub-committees, campus resources, and youth programming.

Under the leadership of the first NOCCC President, Carolyn Green, the advisory board established Communications, Community Health Issues, Youth and Young Adult sub-committees. Because of the need to provide services to the community and well as existing in an advisory capacity, the governance group decided to look into fundraising options. The NOCCC received 501C3 tax-exempt status on March 6, 2004.

Today the NOCCC has expanded its leadership board and members to represent over 50 organizations in and around the north Omaha community.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & PAST PROGRAMS

Grants for COVID-19 relief: provided masks, sanitizers, and other community resources and surveyed North Omaha residents on the impact of the pandemic.
Health Professions Scholarships: Offers annual scholarships to North Omaha students pursuing a health professions degree (sponsored by UNMC College of Public Health).
Teen Health Summit
Health education and screening projects with Omaha Housing Authority
Young Parents Project, UNMC College of Nursing
Southern Sudan GED Program
Annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo
ALL STARS Program at Sherman, Kennedy, Fontenelle, and Franklin Elementary Schools
Youth Health Career Exploration Program at North High School and Monroe Middle School
Collaboration with Omaha Asthma Alliance on asthma education in the North Omaha Community
Collaboration with ENCAP to provide educational seminars for senior participants on various health issues identified by the group