Blaine Shaffer, MD
Chief Clinical Officer, Nebraska HHS
Blaine.Shaffer@hhss.ne.gov

Project Coordinator:
Leslie Byers, Family Liaison Uta-Halee-Cooper Village
402.457.1313
lbyers@utahalee-cooper.org

Steering Committee:
The Steering Committee consists of a broad representation of individuals from both the public and private sector. Members consist of consumers and family members, advocacy groups, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Finance and Support and Regulation and Licensure departments, court/correction, the legislative policy cabinet, mental health service providers, and provider/consumer support groups.

The Steering Committee is responsible for leading the vision of Coercion Free Nebraska. In addition the committee defines tasks, develops and supports the work groups and advisory board as needed, and oversees the progress of the initiative.

The Steering Committee holds quarterly meetings to ensure the focus of CFN. Click on the links provided to access the minutes from previous meetings.

Members Include:

Alice Drake – Region Six Behavioral Health
Ann O’Connor – Heartland Family Service
Blaine Schaffer – Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Clinical Director
Brad Muerrens – Nebraska Advocacy Services
Denis McCarville – Uta Halee-Cooper Village
Denise Pecha – Uta Halee-Cooper Village
Kari Pitt – Foster Care Review Board
Katie McLeese-Stephenson – Cedars Home for Children
Kim Hawekotte – Health and Human Services/Office of Juvenile Services Division
Lee Tyson – Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Division
Leslie Byers – Uta Halee-Cooper Village
Linda Liebendorfer – Nebraska Family Support Network
Linda Shadoin – Children’s Respite Care Center
Lisa Franz – Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Division
Mary Angus – Nebraska Advocacy Services
Mary Fraser-Meints – Uta Halee-Cooper Village
Melia Cooke – Legislative Aid to Senator Jensen
Paula Jones – Youth Care and Beyond
Peg Mahoney – Uta Halee-Cooper Village
Sandy Delano-O’Meara –Lincoln Regional Center
Sheree Keely – Alegent Health
Stephen Spelic – Alegent Health
Tammy Peterson – Foster Care Review Board
Tom McBride – Epworth Village

Work Groups:

Work groups will be responsible for the implementation of specific initiatives identified by the steering committee. Each will be lead by a chairperson responsible for overseeing their progress, ensuring full membership representation, communication to the steering committee, and managing the coordination with other work groups.

Definitions and Systems Measurements Work Group:

Bev Mayfield – Department of Health and Human Services
Dan Scarborough – Youth Rehabilitation Treatment Center of Geneva
Deb Saldi – Alegent Health
Donna Lenz – Uta Halee-Cooper Village
Gordon Hall – Epworth Village
John Davis – Child Saving Institute
Kathy Dinges – Magellan Behavioral Health
Lisa Christensen – Magellan Behavioral Health
Margaret Van Dyke – Health and Human Services Medicaid Division
Mary Angus – Nebraska Advocacy Services
Mary Fraser-Meints – Uta Halee-Cooper Village
Mike Barker – Children’s Square
Paula Jones – Youth Care and Beyond
Peg Mahoney – Uta Halee-Cooper Village
Sandra Miller – Cedars
Sandy Delano-O’Meara – Lincoln Regional Center
Sheri Dawson – Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure Division
Stephen Spelic – Alegent Health

Communications Work Group:

Alice Drake – Region Six Behavioral Health
Ann O’Connor – Heartland Family Service
Diana Waggoner – The Kim Foundation
Dottie Heffernan – Alegent Health Midlands
Jonah Deppe – Nebraska Family Support Network
Kellie Carusi – Alegent Health
Lana Temple-Plotz – Lutheran Family Services
Lisa Franz – Nebraska Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Division
Mary Angus – Nebraska Advocacy Services
Merry Willis – Cedars
Peg Mahoney – Uta Halee-Cooper Village
Rachel Pinkerton – NAMI
Sheree Keely – Alegent Health
Leslie Byers – Uta Halee-Cooper Village

Advisory Board:

The Advisory Board is responsible for providing input and feedback to both the steering ommittee and all work groups.

Advisory Board:

Ann O’Connor – Heartland Family Service
Julia Belian – Creighton University
Linda Liebendorfer – Nebraska Family Support Network
Stephen Spelic – Alegent Health