Blog
Legislature Nears Midpoint as Budget Debate Intensifies
With Day 26 of Nebraska’s legislative session behind us, we are moving closer to the halfway point of this 60-day session. This week will further clarify the remaining floor agenda, with deadlines taking place for selection of senator and committee priority bills and...
Comment Submitted in Opposition to Proposed Federal CCDF Rule Changes
In early January, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the Department of Health and Human Services requested comments on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at amending the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations, the primary...
Bill Introductions Wrap Up as Lawmakers Shift Focus to Hearings, Budget Talks
Bill introductions have concluded in the Nebraska Legislature with 545 new bills and Constitutional amendments introduced. Legislative hearings are underway, and over the upcoming weeks, every new bill introduced will receive a hearing prior to the beginning...
State Senators Convene the 2026 Nebraska Legislature
State lawmakers opened their 2026 session January 7 for the short, 60-day, final session of the 109th Nebraska Legislature. It also is the final session for 10 term-limited senators and two who have indicated they will not run for re-election. Senator Fred Meyer will...
New CCDF Proposed Rule: What it Does and How to Make an Online Comment
In early January 2026, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the Department of Health and Human Services published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at amending the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations, the primary federal...
Hudl and Primrose Schools partnership for on-site child care provides a blueprint for workforce support
As a global technology company and Nebraska business leader, Hudl addressed its employees’ lack of child care options by partnering with a local Primrose Schools franchise owner to offer on-site child care. Hudl opened Primrose School at Hudl at their headquarters in...
What unites Nebraskans? Supporting children and families
Despite what promises to be a challenging year ahead for both state and federal lawmakers, one issue continues to unite Nebraskans across political lines: the care and well-being of our youngest kids. In a new Nebraska Examiner op-ed, First Five Nebraska Deputy...
Proveedores de Cuidado Infantil & Padres: Taller de Defensa
Proveeadores de Cuidado Infantil y Padres: Taller de Defensa Unase por Zoom Profesionales del cuidado infantil y padres: ¡Ayuden a proteger el cuidado infantil!Únanse al equipo de Incidencia y Participación de FFN, en colaboración continua con la Nebraska Early...
Child Care Provider and Parent Advocacy 101
Zoom meetings this Thursday, 10/23, and Saturday, 10/25:𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲! Join FFN's Advocacy and Engagement team, in ongoing collaboration with the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, for an empowering Advocacy 101...
Governor Pillen proclaims October Head Start Awareness Month
Jill Bomberger spoke at Governor Pillen's proclamation ceremony recognizing Head Start's 60 anniversary and designating October as Head Start Awareness Month I remember one neighbor who said, “Head Start saved my life.” She came to Head Start during a crisis, in need...
Nebraska Department of Education to hold a hearing on Rule 11 changes
The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) will hold a hearing on draft revisions for Rule 11 on October 15 at 11 a.m. CT. Known as Rule 11, Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 11 applies to prekindergarten programs established by public schools for...
First Five Nebraska Releases Statement on Federal Government Shutdown
First Five Nebraska is monitoring the government shutdown for any impact on child care and early learning programs. It is important to understand that states have multiple funding streams and flexibility in the timing for spending funds. Therefore, services are...