Blog
‘Micro-centers’ could build supply of child care in Nebraska
The shortage of child care, particularly in Nebraska’s rural areas and under-resourced communities, is well documented. But what is less well known is that the problem is exacerbated by scale. Child care settings that enroll 12 or fewer children, licensed as Family...
Congratulations to our 2023-24 PLA graduates
First Five Nebraska’s Jodi-Renee Girón reflects on the achievements of our 2023-24 PLA graduates and why milestones mean more than finish lines.
LB856 would increase child care worker recruitment and retention
State Senator John Fredrickson, representing District 20 in central west Omaha, introduced LB856, which excludes all earned and unearned income for child care subsidy applications if the applicant or household member is self-employed at a licensed child care program...
FFN 2024 priority legislation focuses on child care, maternal health, literacy, home visiting
The Second Session of the 108th Nebraska Legislature convened January 3 for a 60-day session. In his State of the State address to lawmakers, Governor Pillen prioritized property taxes, regulatory barriers and affordable housing, and also emphasized the importance of...
Apprenticeships can help build Nebraska’s early childhood workforce
Tracy Gordon is executive director of the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children (Nebraska AEYC). She testified before the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee December 1, 2023, on LR251, an interim study introduced by State Senator Robert...
LR251: Apprenticeships offer new pathways to enter the early childhood workforce
Apprenticeship programs are emerging as a viable recruitment and retention tool for the early childhood workforce. First Five Nebraska thanks State Senator Robert Dover (District 19) for introducing LR251, an interim study looking at how apprenticeships could be used...
Policy Leadership Academy: Influencing policy at the local level
The Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy Class 5 convened November 15 in Norfolk for their second workshop, which focused on creating policy impact at the local level, including becoming an expert on their community, the role of local government and how to affect...
Maternal care deserts result in adverse outcomes for Nebraska mothers and babies
The Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on LR154, introduced by State Senator Jen Day (District 49) to examine maternal care deserts in Nebraska and to highlight this critical issue in our state. State senators heard how...
State Senator Eliot Bostar receives Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Champion award
State Senator Eliot Bostar (District 29) is the inaugural recipient of the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Champion Award at a presentation ceremony at the State Capitol. The award was founded this year by First Five Nebraska and will be presented annually to...
Policy Leadership Academy Class 5 is underway
The fifth class of the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy is underway! Twenty-six citizen advocates met up for the first time in Ogallala for an orientation dinner and the first of five workshops. Representing Nebraska from the western border all the...
Child care provider shares her experience with required background check process
Leslie Baker owns five child care programs in Norfolk. She testified before the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on LR191, which is examining the fingerprinting background check process for Nebraska child care providers. I own Fits &...
FFN testifies on child care cost model, background checks
The Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony October 11 on two interim studies, Legislative Resolutions LR151 and LR191. Interim studies are conducted after the Legislature has adjourned sine die and give senators and committees the...