First Five Nebraska is an initiative of Early Futures Partnership
First Five Nebraska is an initiative of Early Futures Partnership
“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” I have a library of Mr. Rogers...
High-quality child care and early education bolsters Nebraska's businesses, helps grow local economies and supports working parents while providing safe, nurturing environments for young children. That was the message from a panel led by First Five Nebraska at the...
Organize, activate, sustain. This is the framework for driving meaningful change at the local level through effective advocacy—especially our efforts to grow more vibrant communities for young children and their families. Last week, nearly 40 members of the 2021-22...
At the open house and celebration of Boone Beginnings in Albion on November 7, I realized something: I miss the power of celebrating the completion of a major community project. As a former economic development director, I experienced the opportunities of seeing...
FFN Director Jason Prokop said ARPA funds can help stabilize Nebraska’s early childhood workforce in testimony before the Appropriations Committee this week.
Nebraska’s statewide community of early childhood policy advocates just got larger. This past week, the 2021-22 class of the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) kicked off in Kearney after a one-year pause in the program due to the onset of...
Editor's Note: After 10 years with First Five Nebraska, Becky Veak retired in August. She leaves us with these final thoughts. Thank you, Becky! After 14 years with Nebraska Children and Families Foundation and First Five Nebraska, I leave this incredible workplace to...
We’re excited to announce the launch of First Five Nebraska’s new website. Featuring a fully responsive look and enhanced user experience, the new site was designed to educate and engage Nebraskans around critical early childhood news and policies in our state. “For...
Editor’s Note: Becky Veak retired at the end of August after a career advancing public policy that ranged from the Nebraska Legislature to Capitol Hill and state government to becoming the founding director of First Five Nebraska. We offer her our heartfelt thank you...
We'd like to introduce Jodi-Renee Giron who has joined our staff as Grassroots and Outreach Advisor. Jodi-Renee’s primary task will be leading the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy beginning with Class 3, which kicks off mid-September. Jodi-Renee...
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight the fragility of Nebraska’s early childhood system. Generating adequate funding to support programs is challenging but essential to keeping Nebraskans working and businesses thriving. While federal emergency funds have...
Note: The School Readiness Tax Credit program ended with the 2021 tax year. First Five Nebraska is exploring legislation to reinstate the tax credits to provide these important financial supports for child care providers. Our Step-by-Step Guides can help you plan your...