First Five Nebraska - First Five Nebraska

Cuts to quality early childhood funding pose a risk-vs.-gain problem for taxpayers

by First Five Nebraska | Mar 29 2018

Nebraska’s Corrections system has been the subject of urgent discussion in the Legislature given its insufficient facilities, prison rioting and workforce instability. Reducing state funding for Sixpence and other quality early childhood programs represents a very small savings to taxpayers in the larger scheme of things. If even a few young children at risk eventually drift into the Corrections system, it will be too late to ask ourselves if those savings were worth it.

Adam Feser Joins Policy Staff

by First Five Nebraska | Mar 22 2018

We’re happy to introduce our new Policy Associate, Adam Feser. Adam most recently served as Executive Director of Advocacy Partnership for People with Special Needs,

Legislature Advances Budget Bill with Cuts to Early Childhood Programs

by First Five Nebraska | Mar 15 2018

Bill contains cuts to the Sixpence Early Learning Fund, the Early Childhood Grant Program and Step Up to Quality. The small gains obtained from reductions to early care and education are likely to be lost by resulting future increased costs of special education services, grade retention and youth detention/rehabilitation services.

Urge Senators to Retain Funding for Early Care and Education

by First Five Nebraska | Mar 1 2018

We make it easy to contact Senators and ask them to retain funding for early care and education programs in Nebraska.

Senators, Committees Select Their Priority Bills

by First Five Nebraska | Feb 22 2018

Earlier this week, Nebraska Senators and Committees named priority bills; priority designation makes it more likely that a bill will be considered by the full Legislature this session. Thank you to Senator Harr for designating LB1108, which would adjust the School Readiness Tax Credit Act, as his priority bill.

New Harvard Center on the Developing Child Video: Building Core Capabilities for Life

by First Five Nebraska | Feb 15 2018

This new 5-minute video explores development and use of core capabilities, known as executive function skills, beginning in early childhood.

LB1135 Offers Alternatives to Offset the Shortage of Early Childhood Workers

by First Five Nebraska | Feb 8 2018

We testified in support of LB1135, which would adopt the Alternate Teacher Certification Act, to offset shortages of early childhood professionals in Nebraska. We think LB1135 offers appropriate, yet flexible, solutions, and urge sentors to advance the bill.

With An Amendment, We Strongly Support the School Readiness Tax Credit Portion of LB1108

by First Five Nebraska | Feb 1 2018

We support removing the sunset provision in the School Readiness Tax Credit Act in LB1108, as well as increasing the tax credit rates for one main reason: the tax credits are specifically tied to levels of quality that close the achievement gap. The single most important factor in early childhood programs that successfully close that gap is the quality of the staff in those programs—and that’s exactly what the increased rates in the School Readiness Tax Credits Act will purchase.

Nebraska Legislature: Early Childhood Bills to Watch

by First Five Nebraska | Jan 25 2018

Senators introduced 470 new bills and eight Constitutional amendments this legislative session. Of these, we've identified bills with potential to affect early childhood across 10 categories, and a more narrow list that we've designated as Legislation to Watch. We update bill status on our Nebraska Legislation website page, and produce a printable report daily during the session.

New Legislation Connects Early Childhood to Economic Development

by First Five Nebraska | Jan 23 2018

Today First Five Nebraska offered testimony to the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee in support of two new bills linking early childhood to economic development strategy on the community level.

New Census Data: 39% of Nebraska Children from Birth to Age 5 Are at Risk

by First Five Nebraska | Jan 18 2018

The U.S. Census Bureau has released its latest American Community Survey data and we have used it to calculate the number of children in Nebraska ages 0-5 who are at risk. Maps break down the data by county, Legislative districts and Congressional districts. Children who struggle in school have lower graduation rates, lower earnings and higher incarceration rates.

Hey, Nebraska…Meet Your Future!

by First Five Nebraska | Jan 11 2018

We debuted four video PSAs in a new messaging effort this month that invite us to imagine the important role today's young children will play in our own lives someday. Whether it's as our health care provider, financial advisor, auto technician or construction manager, the start young children receive in their lives affects more than their own life trajectories.

Posts by: First Five Nebraska

Cuts to quality early childhood funding pose a risk-vs.-gain problem for taxpayers

Adam Feser Joins Policy Staff

Legislature Advances Budget Bill with Cuts to Early Childhood Programs

Urge Senators to Retain Funding for Early Care and Education

Senators, Committees Select Their Priority Bills

New Harvard Center on the Developing Child Video: Building Core Capabilities for Life

LB1135 Offers Alternatives to Offset the Shortage of Early Childhood Workers

With An Amendment, We Strongly Support the School Readiness Tax Credit Portion of LB1108

Nebraska Legislature: Early Childhood Bills to Watch

New Legislation Connects Early Childhood to Economic Development

New Census Data: 39% of Nebraska Children from Birth to Age 5 Are at Risk

Hey, Nebraska…Meet Your Future!

Together We Can Impact Nebraska