Blog
Urge Senators to Retain Funding for Early Care and Education
We make it easy to contact Senators and ask them to retain funding for early care and education programs in Nebraska.
Senators, Committees Select Their Priority Bills
Earlier this week, Nebraska Senators and Committees named priority bills; priority designation makes it more likely that a bill will be considered by the full Legislature this session. Thank you to Senator Harr for designating LB1108, which would adjust the School Readiness Tax Credit Act, as his priority bill.
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.
LB1135 Offers Alternatives to Offset the Shortage of Early Childhood Workers
We testified in support of LB1135, which would adopt the Alternate Teacher Certification Act, to offset shortages of early childhood professionals in Nebraska. We think LB1135 offers appropriate, yet flexible, solutions, and urge sentors to advance the bill.
With An Amendment, We Strongly Support the School Readiness Tax Credit Portion of LB1108
We support removing the sunset provision in the School Readiness Tax Credit Act in LB1108, as well as increasing the tax credit rates for one main reason: the tax credits are specifically tied to levels of quality that close the achievement gap. The single most important factor in early childhood programs that successfully close that gap is the quality of the staff in those programs—and that’s exactly what the increased rates in the School Readiness Tax Credits Act will purchase.
Nebraska Legislature: Early Childhood Bills to Watch
Senators introduced 470 new bills and eight Constitutional amendments this legislative session. Of these, we've identified bills with potential to affect early childhood across 10 categories, and a more narrow list that we've designated as Legislation to Watch. We update bill status on our Nebraska Legislation website page, and produce a printable report daily during the session.
New Legislation Connects Early Childhood to Economic Development
Today First Five Nebraska offered testimony to the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee in support of two new bills linking early childhood to economic development strategy on the community level.
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.
Hey, Nebraska…Meet Your Future!
We debuted four video PSAs in a new messaging effort this month that invite us to imagine the important role today's young children will play in our own lives someday. Whether it's as our health care provider, financial advisor, auto technician or construction manager, the start young children receive in their lives affects more than their own life trajectories.
2018 Nebraska Legislature Convenes
Senators open the short, 60-day session of the 105th Nebraska Legislature facing a $200 million budget shortfall.
Policy Research Analyst and Policy Associate Join Our Staff
We welcome Ben Baumfalk and Elizabeth Lopez Everett to our team. They bring valuable skills and insight to our work to see that all Nebraska children begin kindergarten with the experience they need to become successful students and productive citizens.
There’s an app for that! CDC debuts free app with Learn the Signs. Act Early program
The Centers for Disease Control has released a free app based on its Learn the Signs. Act Early materials used by Nebraska's Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (N-MIECHV) and Nebraska Family Helpline. The app helps parents track developmental milestones that can be shared with a doctor or caregiver, decide when to act if they suspect their child had developmental delays and learn tips and activities to promote healthy development.