Blog | First Five Nebraska

Child care providers: The Nebraska business and policy community want to hear from you

Coronavirus has already significantly impacted the child care landscape in Nebraska. While the long-term effects are as yet unknown, one thing is clear: child care is essential to supporting working families now and as we work to recover. The Nebraska business and policy community have launched a survey about how the pandemic has impacted businesses statewide. Read More

April 16, 2020 | Posted in General

New website connects parents to child care providers

Many Nebraska parents need quality chlid care as they work at essential jobs in the battle again COVID-19. At the same time, many child care providers are struggling to stay open during the public health emergency due to reduced enrollment. A new, searchable database helps parents find licensed child care providers with openings in their area. Read More

April 21, 2020 | Posted in General

Education Stabilization Funds in the CARES Act: What it means for Nebraska

The CARES Act, signed into law last month, recognizes the urgency of our nation’s educational needs and earmarks $30.75 billion of Education Stabilization Funds for relief to states to help their education systems recover. Here's what that means for Nebraska. Read More

April 16, 2020 | Posted in

Executive Order 20-18 offers financial stability to Nebraska child care providers who accept subsidy

Governor Ricketts' Executive Order 20-18 follows up on early policy recommendations to adjust the way Nebraska temporarily manages subsidy reimbursements during the COVID-19 emergency. Read More

April 15, 2020 | Posted in General

Nebraska grocers are open to working with child care providers

Nebraska Grocery Industry Association indicates that local food markets are willing to work with child care providers to meet their needs. Read More

April 14, 2020 | Posted in General

Nebraska expected to receive approximately $20 million in Child Care Development Block Grant funds

The U.S. Administration for Children and Families announced it will soon release $3.5 billion in Child Care Development Block Grant dollars nationwide made possible by the CARES Act. Read More

April 14, 2020 | Posted in General

Economic Developers: Don’t Forget About Child Care in COVID-19 Relief Efforts

Economic development organizations are well positioned to help local businesses remain viable during the COVID-19 emergency. Here's why it's important for child care to be included in those efforts.. Read More

April 10, 2020 | Posted in General

Emergency Child Care for Nebraska’s Essential Personnel (I)

Many of Nebraska's frontline personnel face the responsibility of ensuring their youngest children are in safe, healthy and nurturing environments while they combat the impact of COVID-19 in our communities. That makes our state's child care professionals no less essential in how we respond to the ongoing public health emergency. Read More

April 09, 2020 | Posted in General

Nebraska Child Care Provider Relief Fund

Due to the generous support provided by the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, we are pleased to announce formation of the Nebraska Child Care Provider Relief Fund through Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) and Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC). Read More

April 07, 2020 | Posted in General

Community Assistance Funding for COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, communities across Nebraska are responding on the local level through creation of community-driven programs for families, businesses and nonprofits who are impacted. Some of these programs respond directly to the needs of early childhood professionals, while others support the economic viability of local businesses. As a local provider, we encourage you to reach out to your local chambers of commerce or economic development corporations to see how you can be included in local business programs.

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April 02, 2020 | Posted in