Blog
Black Hills Energy strengthens child care programs through its corporate foundation
An accessible, affordable child care system is critical to keeping Nebraska’s families working, businesses growing and communities thriving. Our Investing in Child Care series highlights how Nebraska employers are championing early childhood care and education...
New calculator shows how child care costs affect families
At First Five Nebraska, we are often asked, “What does the average Nebraska family pay for child care?” And as much as we’d like to give a single number, the truth is that the child care market is complex, and the price families pay for child care depends on several...
Why we map federal poverty guidelines for Nebraska
It’s one thing to know that a significant portion of Nebraska’s youngest children begin their lives in households facing serious financial challenges. It’s another thing to see how those children are distributed across our state’s legislative districts. This week,...
NAECR selects 2022-23 Policy Fellows
The Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research (NAECR) has selected six faculty members to serve as Policy Fellows for the 2022-23 academic year. The NAECR Policy Fellows Program is designed to educate early childhood researchers on policy processes, impacts and...
Home visiting benefits babies, families
[First Five Nebraska Policy Advisor Sara Howard testified before the Lincoln City Council in support of Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird's proposal to include home visiting in the city's annual budget. This blog is adapted from Howard's written testimony.] Healthy moms and...
Report: Setting child care subsidy reimbursement rates
What are Nebraska’s options for compensating providers more fairly for participating in the child care subsidy program?
A Look Back: Senator Matt Williams
Editor's Note: This is part of a series of blog posts by Nebraska's term-limited senators reflecting on their time in the Nebraska Legislature. We thank State Senator Matt Williams for his dedication and service to Nebraska and District 36. Over my eight years in the...
Apply for the Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy by July 22
Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy is accepting applications for the next class through July 22. Created by First Five Nebraska four years ago, the Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) is Nebraska’s premier, non-partisan leadership development program...
Policy Leadership Academy alumni are making an impact, Part 2
As I continue my travels around Nebraska to meet and renew friendships with alumni of the first three classes of the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA). I made the easy drive into Grand Island to meet with Robin Dexter (PLA Class 1), associate...
Memorial Health Care Systems supports employees with on-site child care
Nebraska continued its 11th straight month of record employment in May, according to information released by Governor Ricketts, and the state's 1.9% unemployment rate remains the lowest in the nation. Nebraska also ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for labor force...
We Care for Kids campaign launches across Nebraska
It’s the role of parents to ensure their children benefit from safe, loving and stimulating experiences to help them learn and grow. That’s true whether they are being cared for at home with family, with a neighbor or in another setting. It’s also true that a great...
Policy Leadership Academy alumni are making an impact, Part 1
Have you experienced a renewed enjoyment sitting across from a friend or colleague and talking in person over a cup of coffee? The past few weeks I’ve been traveling to different parts of Nebraska to visit with more of the Policy Leadership Academy alumni. We’ve sat...