Blog
Senators advance LB266 to Final Reading
The 2020 session of the 106th Nebraska Legislature is in its third week. Senators introduced 482 new legislative proposals this session. Over the next 30 days, the 14 standing committees will conduct a public hearing for each new introduced bill.
Welcome interns!
Interns Alyssa Ehler and Daniel Young are joining our team to work on both policy issues and communications projects this semester. We're happy they're here!
Nebraska Legislature convenes for 60-day session
The 106th Nebraska Legislature has convened for its short, 60-day session, with April 23 slated as the final day. Many priority issues and carryover bills from last session need to be addressed in this limited time, so it will be a very busy few months.
In-home family child care providers play a key role in a community’s viability
As small business owners, in-home family child care providers juggle the same issues as any other independent Nebraska business. They, too, worry about profit and loss, government regulation and insurance. It’s time we recognize and celebrate family in-home child care providers for the role they play in the success and quality of life of their communities.
Elizabeth Everett visits Henderson, McCook to learn about early childhood infrastructure
In October, Senior Policy Associate Elizabeth Everett traveled to McCook and Henderson, two Communities 4 Kids towns that had just completed communitywide surveys to understand their current early childhood infrastructure and gaps.
Jason Prokop joins First Five Nebraska
We'd like to introduce our new director, Jason Prokop, who joined First Five Nebraska this month after founding director Becky Veak asked to transition into a new role as coordinator of our Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy.
Mike Feeken joins FFN staff as Business Engagement Associate
Mike Feeken will lead our work to involve the public and private sectors in early childhood efforts as a key strategy for local economic development.
Quality early child care emerges as a key economic development tool
Senior Policy Associate Elizabeth Everett led a panel discussion at this year's Thriving Children conference on the role early childhood plays in a community’s growth and vitality.
Newly developed resource will help new and expectant parents guide children’s early development
New parenting resource will be distributed to families of young children statewide through Nebraska's Preschool Development Grant.
Fremont shows leadership in how communities can invest in quality child care
Fremont City Council approved a $71,121 Local Option Economic Development Loan to enable an area entrepreneur to launch a business that will help address the workforce needs of a much wider circle of employers in the community. The business? Pearl Academy, an early childhood education and care center.
Blueprint Nebraska offers bold vision for state’s early childhood education and infrastructure
Blueprint Nebraska has released its report following a year of gathering information from more than 7,000 Nebraskans and industry leaders to build a roadmap of strategic initiatives to shape the state's future. We're excited to see the plan includes robust early care and learning infrastructure among its priorities.
Elizabeth Everett visits Ogallala and Lewellen to learn about early childhood programs
Senior Policy Associate Elizabeth Everett continues her statewide tour learning about early childhood infrastructure in Nebraska. This trip she's in Ogallala and Lewellen.