Rural Response
THE NEBRASKA RURAL RESPONSE HOTLINE
A STATE WIDE HOTLINE TO RESPOND TO FARM, RANCH, AND RURAL CALLERS
(Page updated 4/07/07)
In the early 1980s, financial pressure and related legal and emotional stress reached a crisis stage for many Nebraska farm families. As land values plummeted, debt piled, and foreclosures reached a record high, Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska (IMN) took action. In March 1984, IMN began forming a coalition not only of its member church denominations, but also of agencies and organizations with a direct interest in confronting rural hardship.
Representatives of the coalition realized from the beginning that the underlying problems leading to the crisis would not be solved overnight, nor would the groups be able to provide funds to troubled farmers. But they know they could garner the human and financial resources to help provide sound financial and legal counsel when requested, and to respond to families with needs for emotional and spiritual support.
The plan grew quickly because of the crisis nature of the problems and the coalition’s commitment to service. Church representatives, and representatives from the Farmers Union, National Farmers’ Organization, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska Legal Services, Women in Farm Economics, the UN-L Ag Extension Division; and lenders worked closely to build the response network and make it available to anyone in Nebraska agriculture.
The Nebraska Rural Response HOTLINE (1-800-464-0258) is one of the primary services provided by the Farm Crisis Response Council through Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska.
When a farmer, rancher, or rural resident calls the HOTLINE, an experienced staff person will answer to respond directly to callers, discuss issues and needs, provide helpful information, and refer callers to attorneys, financial counselors, clergy, other farmers, mediation.
In addition, staff assists callers in dealing with stress, depression, and other mental health issues that often cloud the decision-making abilities of a caller through the COMHT (Counseling, Outreach, and Mental Health Therapy) Program ----
(1-800-464-0258). No-cost vouchers and information on confidential mental health issues for persons affected by the rural crisis are available. Funding for the COMHT Program is provided in part, through the Nebraska Departments of Health & Human Services, Office of Rural Health, and Community Service Block Grant
CALL THE HOTLINE – 1-800-464-0258
RESOURCES
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Hotline
(1-800-876-6238
Emergency Food Pantry Assistance
(1-800-464-0258)
Farm & Legal Assistance Clinics
(1-800-464-0258)
Kids Connection (1-877-632-5437)
Nebraska Farm Mediation Service
(1-800-446-4071)
Nebraska Legal Services (1-877-250-2016)
Ag Credit (402-437-5455)
Farm Service Agency, US Department
of Agriculture State Office (402-437-5581)
Nebraska Agribility Project
(1-800-471-6425)
Donald S. Kalcik, CPA (402-435-2477)
University of Nebraska Farm Financial
Information (1-800-535-3456)
FARM CRISIS RESPONSE COUNCIL RESPONSE FORM
(Click here to go to a printable version of this form)
YES, I will support the work of the
Farm Crisis Response Council.
Cash Gift
1 payment of $ __________________.
____ payments of $_______________ per month.
Other: ___________________________
Other Gifts: (Please describe below)
Name: ______________________________________________
Organization: ________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________
Telephone: ______________________________
Special Instructions or Comments
_____________________________________________________________
Return to:
Farm Crisis Response Council
% Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska
215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 300
Lincoln Nebraska 68508
Thank You!
The
Nebraska Rural
Response
HOTLINE
1-800-464-0258
__________
Sponsored by the:
FARM CRISIS RESPONSE COUNCIL
of
Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska
215 Centennial Mall South Suite 300
Lincoln Nebraska 68508
Telephone: (402) 476-3391
Email: im50427@windstream.net
Participants
American Baptist Churches of Nebraska
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in
Nebraska
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
Nebraska Synod
Homestead Presbytery
Presbytery of Central Nebraska
Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Island
United Church of Christ, Nebraska
Conference
United Methodist Church, Nebraska
Conference
Appleseed Center for Law in the Public
Interest
Legal Aid of Nebraska
Nebraska Farm Bureau
Nebraska Farmers Union
Women in Farm Economics
CALL THE HOTLINE
1-800-464-0258
THE NEBRASKA
RURAL RESPONSE
HOTLINE
A Statewide
Hotline
To Respond To
Farm, Ranch,
and Rural Callers
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