We're happy to introduce Katie Bass as our new Data and Policy Research Advisor. Prior to joining First Five Nebraska, Katie worked to improve outcomes for Nebraska children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. In her most recent role as research...
Category: Research
What is access to reliable, quality child care really worth to Nebraska?
The answer may be as much as a 13% annual return on every dollar we invest in high-quality programs for young children, especially those most at risk. On the other hand, Nebraska researchers say we may lose nearly $1.4 billion annually if we fail to strengthen the...
Senators learn of COVID-19 impacts on state’s early childhood workforce and education system
FFN's Elizabeth Everett tesified at a legislative hearing for LR390 this week, along with experts from the Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission, the state’s early childhood system, business and child care.
Early childhood programs’ success, community vitality focus of conference
Nearly 700 civic, business and education leaders, from 99 Nebraska communities, 20 states and Washington, D.C., came together for the third annual Thriving Children, Families, and Communities conference Monday to focus on quality early childhood programs, which became even more critical with the pandemic and their connection to community economic development and vitality.
Lack of child care costs Nebraskans $745 million per year, report finds
A new study by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Bureau of Business Research for First Five Nebraska finds that gaps in child care availability negatively impact family income, employer profitability and state revenue.
New video breaks down serve-and-return into 5 simple steps
Responsive and attentive child-adult relationships with many back-and-forth interactions build a strong foundation in a child's brain. The Harvard Center on the Developing Child defines five easy steps to practice serve-and-return with babies.
How fathers’ engagement contributes to their children’s development
Findings from the rapidly growing science of brain development in early childhood show the positive, lifelong impact fathers can have by being engaged early in their children’s lives. Here are 10 facts about father engagement.
Nebraska works toward an early childhood integrated data system
It's becoming increasingly important that Nebraska stakeholders have access to early care and education data to help make decisions about how best to prepare our young children for success. FFN Policy Research Analyst Ben Baumfalk and the Early Childhood Data Coalition are working to develop an integrated data system that will collect and maintain information from various early childhood programs and services.
Why you should read that book to a child one more time
Do you feel dread when asked to read the same book to a young child over and over? Take heart, researchers say you're helping the child in important ways when you do.
New Harvard Center on the Developing Child Video: Building Core Capabilities for Life
This new 5-minute video explores development and use of core capabilities, known as executive function skills, beginning in early childhood.
New Census Data: 39% of Nebraska Children from Birth to Age 5 Are at Risk
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.
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.








