Blog
Nebraska’s refundable child care tax credit reaches $15 million cap within seven weeks
The full $15 million reserved by the State of Nebraska for the refundable Child Care Tax Credit has been reserved within just seven weeks of the application period opening in January. Parents and legal guardians of young children have requested more than $19.3 million...
Policy Leadership Academy Class 6 advocates for maternal health and child care at the Nebraska Capitol
Members of the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) Class 6 spent the day at the Nebraska Capitol February 5th engaging with their State Senators. Their focus? Advocating for key bills and policies that impact maternal health and child care—two...
Spotlight on national trends: Impact of Income Eligibility Expansion of the Child Care Subsidy Program in Nebraska
This is the third blogpost in our series highlighting key findings from the Child Care Subsidy Expansion Impact Study. First Five Nebraska led this study in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, as well as other researchers and child...
State senators begin work on bills impacting children and families
The 109th legislative session is in full swing! State senators have introduced nearly 730 bills and constitutional amendments. Although the Governor has the authority to introduce legislation at any point during a session, with the hundreds of pieces of legislation...
First Five Nebraska statement on announced federal funding freeze
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s federal funding freeze First Five Nebraska, a statewide public policy organization committed to the early care, education and healthy development of young children, is encouraged by the temporary block on the broad-based...
Spotlight on program enrollment: Impact of Income Eligibility Expansion of the Child Care Subsidy Program in Nebraska
This is the second blogpost in our series highlighting key findings from the Child Care Subsidy Expansion Impact Study. First Five Nebraska led this study in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, as well as other researchers and...
State Senators convene their 2025 legislative session
Today marks the first day of the 109th Nebraska Legislature, First Session. This session will be 90 days and the Second Session next year will be 60 days. This morning new state senators were sworn in, committee chairs and the Speaker were elected by secret ballot and...
Supporting Nebraska’s workforce: How employers can help parents access the Child Care Tax Credit
Nebraska's workforce is among the most reliable and industrious in the nation. It's not just the engine that drives our economy, it represents the core values we pass to the next generation of Nebraskans: show up, work hard, provide for your family and grow your...
Gaps in Nebraska health data a major challenge to improving maternal and infant outcomes
Dr. Bob Rauner testified before the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee this fall on LR433, an interim study introduced by State Senator Jen Day (District 49) to examine the availability and access to data regarding maternal health and infant...
2025 early childhood policy update calls
Join the First Five Nebraska Policy team for a closer look at early childhood legislation in the 2025 session of the Nebraska Unicameral. Every two weeks beginning on January 28, First Five Nebraska's Deputy Director and Public Policy Manager Elizabeth Everett will...
Breaking down advocacy, activism, lobbying and educating: Distinct roles in driving change
We often hear terms like advocacy, activism, lobbying and educating. While they are interconnected, each plays a unique role in the larger movement for change. Let’s explore what sets them apart and how they contribute to progress.
Join us for a Tax Credit Campaign update on December 10
Campaign Update Tuesday, December 10 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. CST Traducción al español disponible debajo de la versión en inglés. Join us on for a special Zoom update on the public awareness campaigns to promote Nebraska's Child Care Tax Credit and School Readiness Tax...