Senators open the short, 60-day session of the 105th Nebraska Legislature facing a $200 million budget shortfall.
2018 Nebraska Legislature Convenes
read more
Posts by: First Five Nebraska
Policy Research Analyst and Policy Associate Join Our Staff
We welcome Ben Baumfalk and Elizabeth Lopez Everett to our team. They bring valuable skills and insight to our work to see that all Nebraska children begin kindergarten with the experience they need to become successful students and productive citizens.
There’s an app for that! CDC debuts free app with Learn the Signs. Act Early program
The Centers for Disease Control has released a free app based on its Learn the Signs. Act Early materials used by Nebraska's Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (N-MIECHV) and Nebraska Family Helpline. The app helps parents track developmental milestones that can be shared with a doctor or caregiver, decide when to act if they suspect their child had developmental delays and learn tips and activities to promote healthy development.
Study: Benefits of early childhood education persist into high school
Children who participate in high-quality early childhood education programs later experience higher graduation rates, decreased grade retention and fewer special education placements when compared with students who did not participate, according to new research published by the American Educational Research Association.
Researchers Identify ‘Magic 8’ Practices to Create Excellent Preschool Classrooms
A study of 840 children over two years has identified eight teacher actions that had the largest effect on students' success in preschool and preparation for kindergarten.
2018 Golden Sower Nominees Announced
Nominees have been announced for the 2018 Golden Sower Awards, Nebraska’s children’s choice literary award for picture books, chapter books and novels.
Today is Read for the Record Day
Today is Read for the Record Day when millions of people read the same book to highlight the importance of early literacy and instilling a joy of reading in young children.
Tax Credits Are Available to Support Quality Child Care Programs and Staff
Nebraska senators passed legislation (LB889) in 2016 giving tax credits to child care programs and their early childhood staff members beginning with tax year 2017.
Study: Head Start Benefits Extend to Second Generation of Kids
A new study shows that the benefits of Head Start extend decades later to children whose parents participated in the early childhood program in the 1960s.
Report: 20,000+ Nebraska Children Are Being Raised by Grandparents
Generations United's annual report shows 20,808 Nebraska children are being raised by their grandparents.
Step Up to Quality Marks 3rd Anniversary
Nebraska Step Up to Quality helps child care providers who are committed to being the best they can be to give children the strong start we know is so important. As Step Up to Quality marks its third anniversary, they have debuted an interactive map on their website parents can access to learn the locations and ratings of participating programs in their area.
2017 Market Rate Survey is Released
DHHS is required to oversee a child care Market Rate Survey every two years to set child care provider subsidy rates within the context of market conditions. The purpose is to ensure children receiving assistance through the Child Care Subsidy Program have access to the pool of providers equal to the access of provider-paying families.