Miracles Resource Library
This resource library is designed to be a place to go for resources that pertain to NICU stays and beyond. We hope this can help bring comfort, find hope, and support you on your NICU journey.
SupportNow and Advocacy Abby
Connected Forever is proud to offer exclusive partnerships with SupportNow and Advocacy Abby—two incredible resources designed to help families access financial support during NICU stays, medical diagnoses, or after loss. Whether you're looking to raise funds, apply for grants, or organize community support, these services are here for you.
SupportNow
SupportNow is a free platform that gives families a single place to organize and receive support—whether it’s financial donations, meal signups, or other practical needs.
Here’s what makes SupportNow unique:
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Access the largest database of grants available by location and diagnosis
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Create a free registry to raise money and gather support
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Families keep more money than with any other crowdfunding platform
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Manage meals, rides, errands, prayers, and more—all in one place
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It’s designed to be simple, safe, and effective for families who are going through challenging times.
Advocacy Abby
For families navigating disabilities or medical diagnoses, Advocacy Abby is a free service that offers personalized help with fundraising and grant applications.
Through her partnership with SupportNow, Abby helps families:
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Apply for relevant grants
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Set up a fundraising page
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Coordinate community support (meals, errands, rides, prayers, etc.)
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If you’re not sure where to start, Abby can guide you every step of the way.
Schedule a free one-on-one consultation: Book here
Need Help Getting Started?
We know that asking for help isn’t easy—but you don’t have to do it alone. If you're a NICU family or navigating life after loss or diagnosis, we encourage you to explore these powerful tools to ease the financial and emotional burden.
You are not alone—and there is support waiting for you.
Websites
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SupportNow lets friends and family coordinate meals, gift cards, groceries, volunteer help, and financial support in one place so parents can focus on their baby, not managing a dozen texts and sign ups
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MilkWorks provides expert lactation support, breastfeeding consultations, breast pump access, and specialized NICU-focused peer support so parents of premature and NICU babies can establish and sustain feeding goals with confidence and care.
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A supportive space for fathers navigating the NICU experience, offering connection, encouragement, and real conversations during a challenging time.
Disclaimer: Connected Forever is not affiliated with The NICU Dad. This resource is shared for informational purposes only and does not constitute a formal partnership or endorsement.
Books
01.
-Gary Weiner
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When a newborn is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), it can be frightening and overwhelming. Edited by two top NICU doctors and a veteran NICU nurse, this guide will support parents through their baby’s time in the NICU, helping them communicate with members of the NICU team, ask the right questions, and participate as valuable partners in their baby’s care.
02.
-Sue Ludwig
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In this remarkable book of personal and professional transformation, Sue Ludwig, a neonatal therapist, shares how her tiny patients in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) guided her to step off her hamster wheel of existence and into a new way of living.
03.
-Sarah Philpott, PHd.
Close to one in four American women experience the silent grief of pregnancy loss. Loved Baby offers much-needed support to women in the middle of psychological and physiological grief as a result of losing an unborn child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or ectopic pregnancy loss.
04.
-Dana Wechsler Linden, Emma Trenti Paroli, Mia Wechsler Doron
Preemies, Second Edition is the only parents’ reference resource of its kind—delivering up-to-the-minute information on medical care in a warm, caring, and engaging voice. Authors Dana Wechsler Linden and Emma Trenti Paroli are parents who have “been there.”
05.
-Amy Marchand Collins & Betty R. Vohr MD
For parents with babies who must spend time in the NICU, it can feel overwhelming. It can be especially hard for parents of micro preemies – babies born at less than 28 weeks. When author Amy Marchand Collins’ twins were born at just 24 weeks, she described the experience as feeling like she was “taken out on a boat, miles offshore, and pushed off to learn how to swim.” Today she is the swim instructor she needed for parents of preemies.
Children's Books
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These books are designed to support preemie and NICU families through the use of humor, shared experiences, children's books and resources. We collaborate with hospitals, organizations, small businesses and families to continually share resources for all NICU families worldwide.
Miracle Favorites
Needing a little pick me up?...NICU specific Items...or simply something to show support to your Miracle? Look. No. Further!
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(We do not profit off any affiliate links)
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Karen Ficek Photography offers free photography sessions for families during a NICU stay or once they return home. This resource is available for families in the Omaha area only.
Contact: KarenFicekPhotography@outlook.com
Website: https://karenficekphotography.com/
Gallery Access: karenficekphotography.mypixieset.com Password: loveandjoy
Disclaimer: Connected Forever is not affiliated with Karen Ficek Photography. This resource is shared for informational purposes only and does not constitute a formal partnership or endorsement.
Sibling Support
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If you have found resources not on this page that were helpful for you click the button below to add it to this resource library...we all can help one another.
NICU FAQ's
Families can explore Medicaid eligibility through the Nebraska DHHS website: https://dhhs.ne.gov/pages/accessnebraska.aspx
**Click “Start Here”, then select “Learn More” and “Explore Benefits” to access the questionnaire. This tool can help determine potential eligibility.
The most accurate way to confirm eligibility is to submit a Medicaid application, provide required documentation, and have a DHHS caseworker review the application.
Families may also apply by phone: Lincoln Area: 402-473-7000 or Toll-Free: 855-632-7633
Additional Option: SSI for NICU Babies
Families may also consider setting up a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) phone interview. Newborns who remain hospitalized in the NICU may be considered their own household, which can allow eligibility for SSI and Medicaid. In many cases, income and resource limits do not apply while the newborn is still hospitalized.
Social Security (Lincoln Office): 866-593-2880
This resource is intended to help guide families through available options during their NICU stay.