Blog
2021 Nebraska Legislature: Early childhood policy highlights
The first session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die May 27. During the scheduled 90-day session, state senators debated and passed critical pieces of legislation, including a biennium budget, a Social Security tax cut and a bill to temporarily...
How involved fathers improve kids’ well-being
An abundance of research shows the many ways children benefit from involved fathers, especially during their earliest developmental years. Kids who grow up with engaged dads have stronger cognitive, motor and verbal skills, increased confidence and attachment, enter...
LB485 signed into law; expands eligibility for child care subsidy
More Nebraska families with young children will benefit from the state’s Child Care Subsidy program as a result of LB485, which Governor Pete Ricketts signed into law yesterday. Introduced by State Senator Wendy DeBoer, LB485 loosens the state’s household income...
Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy Class 3 to launch in September
First Five Nebraska is pleased to announce the launch of Class 3 of the Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) this September. The PLA is a non-partisan initiative designed to help citizen-leaders develop their skills to advocate for public policies that...
Resource helps new and expectant parents guide children’s early development
Learning Begins at Birth, an updated guide for new and expectant parents is being distributed statewide through Nebraska birthing hospitals, WIC and public health centers, nonprofits, home-visiting initiatives and other organizations. It’s available in English,...
Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative to host Elevate21 business summit for child care providers
Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative is proud to present Elevate in early June, an annual business summit that brings business training and resources to child care providers across Nebraska. In its third year, NECC has again made this event virtual to accommodate...
Sixpence receives funding boost in signed state budget
Nebraska Sixpence programs, which serve children prenatal through age 3, will receive a funding boost for the next two years as outlined in the state biennium budget signed by Governor Pete Ricketts today. Sixpence will receive an additional $2.5 million each of the...
LB351 becomes law, promotes child care quality and capacity in Nebraska
Child care providers have an easier path to meeting the needs of working parents and their communities with passage of LB351 in the Nebraska Legislature. Introduced by State Senator Lou Ann Linehan and signed by Governor Pete Ricketts today, the bill allows child care...
State budget proposal includes additional investments in Sixpence
Enhanced investments in Nebraska’s infants and toddlers are included in the state budget bill for FY2021/22–FY2022/23, which was presented today to the Nebraska Legislature. The bill proposes an increase of $2.5 million per year to the Nebraska Early Childhood...
Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference set for September
High-quality early care and learning promotes children’s healthy development that sets them up for lifelong success, but it also affects parents’ ability to work and provide for their families, and communities’ ability to grow their local workforce and economy. Please...
LB351 seeks to remove unnecessary barriers to increase child care capacity, quality
First Five Nebraska Policy Advisor Adam Feser recently testified before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee in support of LB351, Senator Lou Ann Linehan's bill that would make it possible for child care providers changing their license type to retain...
Report: Lack of child care in rural Nebraska impacts business, communities, crime, security
First Five Nebraska Director Jason Prokop and Strategic Partnerships Advisor Mike Feeken recently joined a virtual panel with business, law enforcement and military leaders to release a new report by Council for a Strong America (CSA), Early Childhood Programs’...