First Five Nebraska is an initiative of Early Futures Partnership
First Five Nebraska is an initiative of Early Futures Partnership
Nebraskans deserve the best from their elected officials. They expect us to listen, to deliberate with respect, to work together. Sometimes we fall short, but more than once this session, we got it right. On January 8, I stood united with many of my colleagues in the...
This blog post was originally published as an op-ed in the Nebraska Examiner. One of the most common questions First Five Nebraska (FFN) receives from policymakers and community leaders is “What’s the average cost of child care in Nebraska?” The short answer: more...
In March, First Five Nebraska released Working Families, Working Economy: An Examination of the Economic Impact, Supply and Demand of the Child Care System in the Greater Omaha Chamber Region. The report was commissioned by the Greater Omaha Chamber (GOC) to better...
Over the past two years, the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative has helped put the issue of child care where it belongs—front-and-center in economic development strategy discussions throughout the state. While awareness of the state’s child care shortage isn’t new,...
Editor's Note: State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1) introduced Legislative Resolution 296 in the Unicameral this year. The resolution supports reimbursing family child care homes in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at the higher Tier 1 rate and...
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...
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...
If you’re reading this blog, chances are child care impacts you, oh wait, child care impacts and touches every Nebraskan. You know this already though, this is why you’re reading First Five Nebraska’s blog. Have you thought specifically about how much our economy...
Child care has finally taken center stage in national conversations. Advocates, community leaders, employers and lawmakers now recognize that child care is not just a family concern—it’s a cornerstone of our economic infrastructure. But after years of raising...
This blog post is being updated as bills move through the legislative process. We are now more than halfway through the legislative session. Hearings have concluded, and full-day floor debate has begun. Speaker Arch, state senators and committees have identified their...
This is the third blogpost in our series highlighting key findings from the Child Care Subsidy Expansion Impact Study. First Five Nebraska led this study in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, as well as other researchers and child...
Join the First Five Nebraska Policy team for a closer look at early childhood legislation in the 2025 session of the Nebraska Unicameral. Every two weeks beginning on January 28, First Five Nebraska's Deputy Director and Public Policy Manager Elizabeth Everett will...