Blog
FFN’s New Affordability Calculator Shows How Much Child Care Costs Across the State
This blog post was originally published as an op-ed in the Nebraska Examiner. One of the most common questions First Five Nebraska (FFN) receives from policymakers and community leaders is “What’s the average cost of child care in Nebraska?” The short answer: more...
Nebraska Early Childhood Advocates Oppose Rolling Back Head Start Teacher Pay and Benefits
On May 12, the federal Office of Head Start published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to rescind 2024 Head Start teacher wage regulations. The regulations required creation of wage scales and progress toward pay parity by 2031, with Head Start...
The Economic Cost of Child Care Challenges in the Greater Omaha Region
In March, First Five Nebraska released Working Families, Working Economy: An Examination of the Economic Impact, Supply and Demand of the Child Care System in the Greater Omaha Chamber Region. The report was commissioned by the Greater Omaha Chamber (GOC) to better...
Regional Collaborations are Driving Change for Child Care in Nebraska
Over the past two years, the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative has helped put the issue of child care where it belongs—front-and-center in economic development strategy discussions throughout the state. While awareness of the state’s child care shortage isn’t new,...
Child Care Provider: Federal Food Program Should Reimburse Everyone Equally
Editor's Note: State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1) introduced Legislative Resolution 296 in the Unicameral this year. The resolution supports reimbursing family child care homes in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at the higher Tier 1 rate and...
Help Build a Better Future for Nebraska’s Children & Families
For the past nine years, First Five Nebraska has been investing in advocates—people with conviction and a readiness to take the next step in their advocacy journey and move from personal passion to public policy. The magic of policy advocacy and community organizing...
Our Work Gives Children a Stronger Start — Here’s How You Can Help
Children's earliest years lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning, health and success—but that foundation is only as strong as the communities, systems and policies built to support it. Earlier this year, First Five Nebraska (FFN) joined with Communities for...
Governor Signs LB304 into Law; Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The second session of the 109th Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die April 17, wrapping up a busy 60-day, second session in the biennium. State senators introduced 547 bills this year, adding to the 715 from last year's 90-day session, for a combined 1,262 pieces...
Make Your Voice Heard: Hearing Set on Kindergarten Age, Pre-K Suspension Policies
The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) will hold a hearing on draft revisions for Rule 11 on April 27 at 9 a.m. CT. Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 11, known as Rule 11, applies to prekindergarten programs established by public schools for children...
Interim Studies Lay Groundwork for Policy Change
As the Nebraska Legislature wraps up its 2026 regular session, our work continues with the crucial role of ongoing advancements in early childhood policies. One of the ways this happens is through interim studies, which allow senators and stakeholders to gather...
State Senators Advance LB304 to Second Round of Debate
Thank you to state lawmakers for advancing LB304 to the second of three rounds of debate! We also thank State Senator Wendy DeBoer for her leadership and commitment to keeping child care assistance within reach of Nebraska families and we thank our partners and...
Policy Leadership Academy Class Celebrates Graduation, Shared Commitment to Community Change
On Wednesday, March 11, the seventh cohort of the Policy Leadership Academy presented their capstone projects and celebrated their accomplishments with a graduation banquet. This year’s class was a lesson in the power of representation, intentionality and pursuit of a...