Blog
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...
Early development and the foundation of mental health
Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics and national partners declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. This declaration focused on the profound growth of mental health hazards associated with the global pandemic, including disruptions...
FFN to work on 5 legislative interim studies
First Five Nebraska will work with state senators on five interim studies this year. Interim studies, conducted annually after the Legislature adjourns its session sine die, give senators and legislative committees the opportunity to delve deeper into topics of policy...
New video: Funding child care efforts in McCook with LB840
McCook is leading the charge in innovative programs to boost early childhood quality and access through Local Option Municipal Economic Development Funds, known as LB840. Passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 1991, LB840 authorized cities and villages to collect and...
Elevate22 child care business summit set for June 4
The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) is excited to host Elevate22 in person and virtually again this year! The June 4 event is an all-day summit focused on the business of early care and education. This summit offers child care businesses, big and small,...
Policy Fellows, NU Research Summit create connections among research, practice and policy
The second cohort of the Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research (NAECR) Policy Fellows program concluded April 13 with a panel presentation at the CYFS Summit on Research in Early Childhood. The Research Summit is a bi-annual event co-sponsored by the Nebraska...