An active legislative session for early childhood
The Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die April 20. Several early childhood bills were passed into law, including legislation on maternal depression screenings, $4 million to expand child care programs and changes to abuse and neglect reporting.
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
FFN to work on 5 legislative interim studies
First Five Nebraska will work with state senators on five interim studies this year. Interim studies, conducted annually after the Legislature adjourns its session sine die, give senators and legislative committees the opportunity to delve deeper into topics of policy...
New video: Funding child care efforts in McCook with LB840
McCook is leading the charge in innovative programs to boost early childhood quality and access through Local Option Municipal Economic Development Funds, known as LB840. Passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 1991, LB840 authorized cities and villages to collect and...
Elevate22 child care business summit set for June 4
The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) is excited to host Elevate22 in person and virtually again this year! The June 4 event is an all-day summit focused on the business of early care and education. This summit offers child care businesses, big and small,...
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Our hearts are with the children, parents and all those affected in Uvalde, Texas.Our thoughts are with our friends in Texas. You are not alone. ♥️
For caregivers, it can be hard to help little ones understand and cope with the effects of violence, but limiting media exposure and making space for them to express big feelings are good places to start.
Click here for resources to support families affected by violence: m.sesame.org/GunViolence
FFN is proud to partner with the Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research (NAECR) on the Policy Fellows Program, a series of conversations between our Policy team and NAECR researchers. Through the program, we're creating meaningful connections between the two communities to improve the lives of young Nebraskans. Applications for the third Policy Fellows cohort close May 31. Learn more and apply: naecr.unl.edu/policy-fellows/
Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools #Nebraska
Newsletter: We're excited to partner with state senators on five interim studies on topics important to early childhood and the early childhood workforce; the second video in our series on using #LB840 funds to boost #childcare quality and access features Milva McGhee in #McCook. McCook Economic Development Corporation conta.cc/3wEdO9V
FFN to work with senators on these early childhood interim studies
conta.cc
May 2022 FFN to work with senators on 5 interim studies First Five Nebraska's policy team is looking forward to partnering with state senators on interim studies in the coming months. Interim studies,
"CHI Health and Nebraska’s three Medicaid managed care providers announced Wednesday that they have committed $1 million to help at-risk moms and moms-to-be deliver and raise healthy babies. ... Black women giving birth saw a 78% increase in infant mortality over a two-year period. 'That is not OK, and it absolutely needs to be addressed,' ” [Douglas County Health Department Director Lindsay] Huse said. #Nebraska
omaha.com/news/local/nebraska-groups-commit-1-million-to-help-at-risk-moms-and-babies/article_da9...
Nebraska groups commit $1 million to help at-risk moms and babies
omaha.com
CHI Health and Nebraska's three Medicaid managed care providers have committed $1 million to help at-risk moms and moms-to-be deliver and raise healthy babies.
TODAY, MAY 20, is the last day to register for #Elevate22, Nebraska's no-cost business summit for early childhood. #Nebraska needs early care and education professionals to thrive as skilled educators and as successful business owners. Read more: www.firstfivenebraska.org/blog/elevate22-childcare-business-summit/
#EarlyChildhoodWorkforceONE DAY left to register for #Elevate22! Get to know the lineup of incredible speakers on the blog 👉 👉 bit.ly/3FZceCB Wonderschool First Children's Finance Alliance For Early Success Pie for Providers Here
Lincoln non-profit will receive $1 million in #ARPA funding to train 70 associate Head Start and Early Head Start teachers over the next three years. “We really wanted to pursue an opportunity that would allow us greater capacity to support employees in gaining their credentials that are needed to provide quality care and for employees to have the ability to advance careers and early childhood education, which we know is very needed in Lincoln,” said Community Action CEO Heather Loughman. #Nebraska #EarlyChildhoodWorkforce
Community Action to train child care workers as part of federal workforce grant - News Nebraska
nebraskanewsservice.net
A Lincoln non-profit will receive $1 million from the American Rescue Plan to train 70 childcare workers over the next three years. Community Action was one of six Lincoln organizations chosen by the ...