State health, education departments aim to improve Summer EBT program
By Jolie Peal , Reporter Nebraska Public Media News
Dec. 18, 2024, 6 p.m. ·

Nebraska officials announced improvements to the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program for its second year.
Eligible families can receive up to $40 per child over the summer months for a total of $120 per child to help with food costs. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) rolled out the program — deemed the “Nebraska Way” — this summer.
“The connection between food and good mental health is real and it's extremely important,” State Health Department CEO Steve Corsi said. “Not only is food important, but nutritional food is vital to our mental health.”
Department officials said there will be an increased focus on educating families on the best nutritional options. Shannon Grotrian, the DHHS director of economic assistance, said they will do this through newsletters, flyers and partnerships with local organizations.
“This will empower families to purchase healthy food items and budget effectively, promoting longterm well-being,” Grotrian said.
In the program’s first year, almost 200,000 children received food help. Gov. Jim Pillen said just under $24 million was distributed through Summer EBT cards in 2024.
Pillen initially refused funding for the program, but ultimately changed his mind.
“I had a day that I'll never forget. I had the opportunity to go visit with all the kids at Boys Town and their incredible stories and how they're transforming their lives,” Pillen said. “Later in the day, I met with kids that showed me what some of the Summer SNAP program foods were, and it was very unacceptable. That's when we called and said, ‘Okay, how do we do better.’”
NDE Commissioner Brian Maher said the Summer EBT program helps reach families who don’t have access to sites that directly provide food to students.
“Many communities eligible for the Summer Food Service Programs, for whatever reason, chose not to participate in our partnership,” Maher said. “The Summer EBT helped fill that gap to make sure that students and families have that necessary support for nutritional services.”
Along with the Summer EBT program, Grotrian said state officials are hoping to connect low-income families with further resources they need, like childcare or healthcare. The state shared an online form with families — which they hope to improve for 2025 — asking for what other help they needed.
Pillen said DHHS helped provide an additional 12,000 resources, outside of Summer EBT, to families.