Is it time to rethink how we pay for subsidized child care?
Our new report examines how Nebraska might address the challenge of reimbursing providers who participate in the child care subsidy program
Early Childhood Policy
We help government officials make informed, strategic decisions.
Strategic Engagement
We bring more people into the early childhood conversation.
Research & Analysis
We illuminate the issues with credible information and insight.
Successful Children. Strong Families.
Prosperous Communities.
We work to ensure that more of Nebraska’s youngest, most vulnerable children begin life with the kinds of developmental experiences that set them on a path to becoming successful students and productive citizens.
Current Initiatives
Reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in Nebraska: We worked with State Senator Lynne Walz to pass LB905, which recommends perinatal maternal depression screening.
Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy members build skills to drive early childhood change at the local level.
Investing ARPA funds in Nebraska's early childhood workforce is key to increasing access to quality care and learning programs.
Stay Current
Mitchell Clark joins First Five Nebraska
Mitchell Clark joined First Five Nebraska (FFN) this month as Policy Advisor. He comes to FFN from the Nebraska Legislature, where he served most recently as legislative aide to State Senator John Stinner, District 48, and research analyst for the Appropriations...
PLA alumni, elementary school principals to team up
I had the privilege of meeting in Kearney recently with the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals’ (NAESP) leadership cohort. Kristine Luebbe, director of Programs & Partnerships at the Nebraska Department of Education and I have been working to...
2022-23 Policy Leadership Academy kicks off in Broken Bow
“It’s about long-term momentum.” It takes a lot to give young children the best possible start in life. It takes cohesive, resilient families who are prepared to address children’s earliest developmental needs. It takes quality early childhood services and supports to...
Connect with us on Facebook
We Care for Kids has resources to help families locate quality early childhood education programs and services in their communities. Learn more here: bit.ly/3MCO6Yi #nebraskacaresforkids #earlychildhoodeducation #nebraska
Learning Begins at Birth can help new parents guide their children's early development and navigate the services available to them. It's available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese and Karen. If you represent an organization serving new and expectant parents and are able to help distribute Learning Begins at Birth, please order free copies here: bit.ly/3thU6z8.
#earlychildhood #PN3 #nebraska
Newsletter: FFN's Policy Leadership Academy is underway for 2022-2023; two grant opportunities are available to expand #childcare and support early childhood professionals; Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative - NPQIC receives $1.375M grant to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in #nebraska. #earlychildhood conta.cc/3TZVG2S
Premier early childhood policy leadership program convenes
conta.cc
November 2022 2022-2023 Policy Leadership Academy is underway Members of FFN's fourth Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) class have convened to begin building advocacy skills to
Have you seen this series on #EarlyChildhood education by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation? It brings early education experts, childcare providers, business leaders and other stakeholders to the table to discuss solutions underway to fill childcare gaps. "Childcare is a major challenge for millions of Americans across the county... It's also evident that the lack of access to quality, affordable childcare is indeed a workforce issue." Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry #Childcare
www.uschamberfoundation.org/the-drumbeat
The Syracuse City Council has allocated #arpa funds toward the goal of increasing availability of #childcare in the community. Dan Mauk with the Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corp. has been instrumental in moving the effort forward. #ecleaders #pla #earlychildhood #economicdevelopment #nebraska
www.journaldemocrat.com/2022/11/17/council-approves-arpa-funds-for-childcare/?fbclid=IwAR0dYv8N59...
Council approves ARPA funds for childcare – Syracuse Journal-Democrat
www.journaldemocrat.com
Dan Mauk speaks to members of the Syracuse City Council with members of the childcare committee looking on. Photo by Wendy Werner