First Five Nebraska's policy activity is informed by the assertion that the earliest years are a critically important time to invest in children's lifelong healthy development, that parents are their children's first and most important teachers, and that all children - especially those most at risk - should have access to high quality learning environments.
Effective Policies
Like all children, children most at risk need certain kinds of interaction and care to stimulate their healthy growth and development. First Five Nebraska's advocacy priorities, based on core principles, are intended to be a comprehensive policy agenda that secures what children at risk need in the first five years of life to be successful in school and beyond.
Mindful of the economic restraints currently facing our state, we want to be part of the long-term solution by ensuring public dollars are invested wisely in effective, accountable services.
Our long-term administrative and legislative policy priorities over the next ten years include the following:
- Strengthen the system that educates parents and caregivers on supporting the development of children in their care.
- Ensure accountability for public dollars that are invested in child care systems.
- Increase the numbers of children who receive high quality early care and learning experiences.
- Improve the reach and efficacy of the Sixpence Early Childhood Endowment and the Early Childhood Education Grant Program.
