Policy Leadership Academy develops citizen advocates
The PLA is our state’s premier, non-partisan leadership development program that empowers citizens to become involved in the policymaking process at all levels to create a strong future for young children and all Nebraskans.
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
FFN focuses on improving systems and processes to help track and reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.
Investing ARPA funds in Nebraska's early childhood workforce is key to increasing access to quality care and learning programs.
Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy participants engage in trainings on driving early childhood change at the local level.
Stay Current
Home visiting benefits babies, families
[First Five Nebraska Policy Advisor Sara Howard testified before the Lincoln City Council in support of Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird's proposal to include home visiting in the city's annual budget. This blog is adapted from Howard's written testimony.] Healthy moms and...
Helping children transition to kindergarten successfully
How do we know when children are ready for kindergarten? The ability to identify letters and numbers and have a working vocabulary are often used as benchmarks, yet these don’t tell the whole story.
A Look Back: Senator Matt Williams
Editor's Note: This is part of a series of blog posts by Nebraska's term-limited senators reflecting on their time in the Nebraska Legislature. We thank State Senator Matt Williams for his dedication and service to Nebraska and District 36. Over my eight years in the...
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The Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference Sept. 19 in #Kearney is free, but you need to register: ow.ly/aJs950KiSrU
#Nebraska #ThrivingChildren2022 #EarlyChildhoodWhy attend the Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference on Sept. 19? Because the conference offers a wide variety of engaging speakers, resources, and information you can bring back to your community, like this breakout session on becoming an advocate for early childhood education. Register for free: ow.ly/aJs950KiSrU
Informed and active advocates can help public officials make decisions about policies that impact the well-being of our children, families, communities, and state. The "What It Means to Be an Advocate" session will explore what it means to be a citizen-advocate for building an early childhood movement with lessons learned from members of Nebraska’s Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy. #ThrivingChildren2022
Educare Lincoln has 3 out of 19 chances of winning $100,000 and needs all the support we can get! Please place a quick vote to help Educare Lincoln and its partners win $100,000 by visiting- www.ubt.com/big-give/educare-lincoln and selecting the green button that reads- "Vote for Nonprofit"
Please also consider sharing this post with others and telling them why you chose to vote for Educare Lincoln. Thank you so much for your support.
Thank you!!
New on KLKN-TV today – Policy Advisor Sara Howard shares her thoughts on what a proposed home-visiting program would mean for new parents in #Lincoln. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird's plan would offer 3-4 visits by a registered nurse for all families after they leave the hospital. #PN3 #EarlyChildhood #Nebraska Klkn-Tv 8
www.klkntv.com/program-to-help-lincoln-moms-babies-included-in-243-million-proposed-budget/?minut...
Program to help Lincoln moms & babies included in $243 million proposed budget
www.klkntv.com
Kids who've participated in home visiting also do better in school, particularly in math and reading.Policy Advisor Sara Howard on Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird's proposal for a citywide home-visitation program: "Participating in home-visiting programs is known to increase positive parenting techniques and result in fewer calls to the child protective services hotline. Further, children whose families participate in home visiting are more likely to benefit from stronger early learning and cognitive development, as well as stronger math and reading achievement in elementary school." Read more in Howard's blogpost supporting the mayor's plan. #PN3 #EarlyChildhood #Nebraska www.firstfivenebraska.org/blog/home-visiting-benefits-babies/
Home visiting programs benefit babies, parents and families
www.firstfivenebraska.org
Home visiting programs match families with a trained professional who tailors resources &supports to address the specific needs of each family.Grassroots & Outreach Advisor Jodi Renee Giron spoke in #FallsCity at their #CommunitiesforKids orientation today. Kudos to Falls City for making a commitment to high-quality early care and learning in your community! #EarlyChildhood #Nebraska #ECE #PN3 Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
Join Our Team! We're hiring a Data Analyst who will support our policy research, legislative and administrative policy work. Learn more: recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1231809