Offering opportunities for positive change to individuals, families & communities.
“I honestly think that I would not be where I’m at today without the PALS and ETV program and staff. I’m getting ready to graduate from college, have a job, and live in my own apartment. My ETV and PALS workers have given me the tools necessary to succeed in life. I’m excited for my future”.
~ Callie, ETV & PALS youth
Helping Youth Succeed
Whatever path you choose for continuing post-high school education—on-the-job training, community college or university, or securing a specialized certificate—seize new opportunities to discover and explore interests, expand your knowledge, take on new challenges, and experience the pride of achievement.
In the EDUCATION and TRAINING VOUCHER PROGRAM, we believe every single one of you has something that you’re good at. Each individual has something to offer. You have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.
Central Plains Center for Services, through a contracted partnership with the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, administers the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program. This program provides financial assistance for tuition, fees and books, as well as one-on-one support, for current and former state wards to attend college.
The following information highlights many new and exciting elements of Nebraska’s Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program. However none are more important than the voices of the former state wards that are currently moving their lives forward due to the support of the ETV program. On the left side are selected comments from some of the students:
The ETV program provides financial assistance, as well as one-on-one support, for current and former state wards to attend the college of their choice. The ETV program provides students up to $2,600 per year for tuition, fees, and books. A hallmark of our ETV program is the direct support each youth receives.
We continue to have regular in-person, phone or email contact with 100% of the youth to discuss whatever needs the youth identifies. This could include class scheduling, funding, housing, relationships, etc, however in many cases our main purpose is providing ongoing encouragement in recognizing what the youth has already accomplished and what they can accomplish.These contacts are provided not only by the ETV coordinator, but by the Central Plains Center for Services staff located across the state to support, problem-solve, encourage and assist the youth in addressing the many obstacles they face that challenge their ability to be successful in school.
100% of the ETV youth have a support system in place. The ETV staff has worked hard to link the ETV youth to the campus support services. All of the schools have excellent services and many of our students receive tremendous support through them.
How do I know if I have been accepted into the ETV Program?
Once your application is received at our office, our Scholarship Coordinators, Kris Hook or Deena Gibson, will contact you by phone to review the application as well as review with you the services ETV will be able to provide. For questions please contact Central Plains Center for Services.
Other Youth Funding
Central Plains Center for Services staff has done a tremendous job on increasing the use of other funds for the ETV youth college expenses. Examples of this include:
Your Journey Starts Now!
Get connected to a ETV worker to help you build the foundation for your INDEPENDENT future! The Central Plains Center for Services staff is committed to your success!
Program Contacts:
Kris Hook, Scholarship Coordinator
402-968-1559
Deena Gibson, Scholarship Coordinator
308-749-2580 (Broken Bow)
Ann Lenz, Education Specialist
402-990-3296 (Omaha)