Blog | First Five Nebraska

Legislative report highlights serious challenges for early childhood programs due to COVID-19

First Five Nebraska (FFN) recently collaborated with early childhood partners and policymakers on the release of the Appropriations Committee of the Nebraska Legislature LR390 Interim Study Report, which examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our state's early childhood workforce and infrastructure. Read More

February 18, 2021 | Posted in Legislation

Sara Howard Joins FFN

We're happy to announce that Sara Howard has joined our staff as Policy Advisor. Sara served eight years in the Nebraska Legislature and was chair of the Health and Human Services Committee her final two years in the Unicameral. Sara brings extensive policy knowledge and a bipartisan approach to working on issues that positively impact children and families. Read More

February 12, 2021 | Posted in General

New report explores state, nationwide use of tax credits to spur early childhood investment

FFN recently partnered with the Committee for Economic Development of the Conference Board (CED), a national nonpartisan public policy center, to publish “Using Tax Credits to Help Address Child Care Challenges: Availability, Quality and Affordability.” The report explores how Nebraska and other states are using tax credits to boost private investment and expand the funding landscape for early childhood infrastructure. Read More

February 11, 2021 | Posted in Research

LB531: Incentivizing child care quality, capacity through private investment

The Legislature’s Revenue Committee heard testimony this week on LB531: Adopt the Nebraska Child Care Tax Credit Act. Introduced by Senator Tom Briese, District 41, the legislation would offer financial incentives to taxpayers—including businesses and individuals—to bolster early childhood infrastructure through targeted contributions.

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February 05, 2021 | Posted in Legislation

FFN identifies bills in the Legislature that could affect early childhood

State senators introduced 684 bills and 10 Constitutional amendments this legislative session. Learn more about bills FFN is monitoring bills that could affect early childhood and how to access their current status on our website. Read More

January 28, 2021 | Posted in Legislation

Incoming Administration proposes further economic relief for child care

President-Elect Joe Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill which includes additional funding and emergency tax relief to bolster the child care industry and provide crucial financial relief to struggling families. Read More

January 15, 2021 | Posted in Legislation

Nebraska Legislature convenes its 2021 session

The 107th Nebraska Legislature opened the first session of the two-year biennium this week. The first order of business was swearing in eight new senators and electing the Speaker and committee chairs. Follow FFN's social media to keep up to date on bills affecting early childhood during this year's 90-day session. Read More

January 07, 2021 | Posted in Legislation

NECC Family Child Care Network: Taking family child care professionals from surviving to thriving

The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative’s (NECC) staffed Family Child Care Network (FCCN) offers robust business and professional development tools to help family child care educators across the state stop just surviving and start thriving. Read More

December 15, 2020 | Posted in General

Child care providers—Apply now for the School Readiness Tax Credit

Refundable and nonrefundable tax credits will be available to more child care professionals and programs through the 2020 tax year, but time is running out to claim them on your 2020 tax return. NOW is the time to apply. We encourage you to use our step-by-step guides to help you move through the application process. Read More

December 10, 2020 | Posted in Legislation

Katie Bass joins FFN’s Policy staff

Welcome to Katie Bass, FFN's new Data and Policy Research Advisor. Prior to joining First Five Nebraska, Katie worked to improve outcomes for Nebraska children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Read More

December 02, 2020 | Posted in General