Nebraska human services officials ushered in a new way of offering economic assistance services on Tuesday.

The celebration focused on the first customer service center, where Department of Health and Human Services staff members will do interviews, take customer changes and provide information and referral services over the telephone.

By 2012, the state will have four customer centers to process and approve requests for economic assistance including food stamps; Aid to Dependent Children; energy assistance; Kids Connection health insurance; Medicaid; assistance to elderly, blind or disabled people; child care; job training; education; meals; respite; transportation; and employment preparation.

"More than ever before, we're working to bring efficiencies to the people in our state," HHS CEO Kerry Winterer said in a news release. "That means doing our best to provide great customer service and make it easier for people who are eligible for our services."

Through ACCESSNebraska, people can apply for services online. The system also offers document scanning and economic assistance case file retrieval.

By 2012, these customer service centers will be open.

    * Lincoln: approximately 100 staff; to take calls in November

    * Fremont: 150 staff; the target date is February 2011

    * Lexington: 50 staff; fall 2011

    * Scottsbluff: 100 staff; January 2012.

Todd Reckling, director of the Division of Children and Family Services, said the centers are not designed to be open to the public. The focus is on customer service over the phone.

"However, I want to emphasize that people will continue to have the option of going to a local office and talking to someone in person even after all four centers are in place," he said.

The local offices are equipped with computer kiosks and telephones.

The Lincoln center will be the test site for a new universal case management system. Instead of having one assigned caseworker, clients will call an 800 number for assistance. They won't have to wait for workers who might be on vacation or home sick.