President-Elect Joe Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill which includes additional funding and emergency tax relief to bolster the child care industry and provide crucial financial relief to struggling families. Read More
The 107th Nebraska Legislature opened the first session of the two-year biennium this week. The first order of business was swearing in eight new senators and electing the Speaker and committee chairs. Follow FFN's social media to keep up to date on bills affecting early childhood during this year's 90-day session. Read More
The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative’s (NECC) staffed Family Child Care Network (FCCN) offers robust business and professional development tools to help family child care educators across the state stop just surviving and start thriving. Read More
Refundable and nonrefundable tax credits will be available to more child care professionals and programs through the 2020 tax year, but time is running out to claim them on your 2020 tax return. NOW is the time to apply. We encourage you to use our step-by-step guides to help you move through the application process. Read More
Welcome to Katie Bass, FFN's new Data and Policy Research Advisor. Prior to joining First Five Nebraska, Katie worked to improve outcomes for Nebraska children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Read More
Interim study LR390 is underway to examine the fiscal and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nebraska’s early childhood workforce and early childhood care and education system. FFN and public and private partners are developing potential policy recommendations based on what was learned. Read More
FFN hosted a webinar with Nobel Laureate James Heckman and researchers from the Nebrasks Bureau of Business Research on the impact of child care to our state. Studies tell us quality early care and learning can yield as much as a 13% return on investment, and at the same time, our state could lose nearly $1.4 billion annually in direct and indirect losses if we fail to strengthen Nebraska's earlly childhood infrastructure. Read More
We recently partnered with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development in reaching out to prospective Nebraska residents, business owners and working parents about how early childhood education contributes to 'the good life'. Read More
The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry is hosting its annual Fall Forums, looking at how Nebraska is faring with the pandemic and ongoing recovery efforts. Read More
Mariah Stowe, a Lincoln child care provider, testified on LR390 before the Legislature's Appropriations Committee on the tough decisions facing child care professionals during COVID-19. Read More