Congratulations to eleven communities across Nebraska that were recently awarded new Sixpence grants to fund high-quality early childhood programs to serve more of our state’s most vulnerable infants and toddlers. The grants were made possible through an increase in...
Editor’s Note: Becky Veak retired at the end of August after a career advancing public policy that ranged from the Nebraska Legislature to Capitol Hill and state government to becoming the founding director of First Five Nebraska. We offer her our heartfelt thank you...
We'd like to introduce Jodi-Renee Giron who has joined our staff as Grassroots and Outreach Advisor. Jodi-Renee’s primary task will be leading the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy beginning with Class 3, which kicks off mid-September. Jodi-Renee...
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight the fragility of Nebraska’s early childhood system. Generating adequate funding to support programs is challenging but essential to keeping Nebraskans working and businesses thriving. While federal emergency funds have...
The child tax credit was enacted more than 20 years ago to help parents with the everyday expenses of raising children. The 2021 American Rescue Plan expands the credit amount for one year, from $2,000 per child to $3,600 for younger children and $3,000 for older...
Nebraska will receive about $1 billion in State and Local Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Here’s where early childhood can fit into the picture.
Our Step-by-Step Guides can help you plan your application for the 2021 School Readiness Tax Credit Beginning July 1, Nebraska's child care professionals may begin submitting applications to take advantage of the School Readiness Tax Credit Act before the program...
Last year, First Five Nebraska worked in close collaboration with policymakers and an array of partners to update the School Readiness Tax Credit Act so this important financial support would be available to as many child care professionals as possible. But the clock...
An abundance of research shows the many ways children benefit from involved fathers, especially during their earliest developmental years. Kids who grow up with engaged dads have stronger cognitive, motor and verbal skills, increased confidence and attachment, enter...
Learning Begins at Birth, an updated guide for new and expectant parents is being distributed statewide through Nebraska birthing hospitals, WIC and public health centers, nonprofits, home-visiting initiatives and other organizations. It’s available in English,...
Nebraska Sixpence programs, which serve children prenatal through age 3, will receive a funding boost for the next two years as outlined in the state biennium budget signed by Governor Pete Ricketts today. Sixpence will receive an additional $2.5 million each of the...
Child care providers have an easier path to meeting the needs of working parents and their communities with passage of LB351 in the Nebraska Legislature. Introduced by State Senator Lou Ann Linehan and signed by Governor Pete Ricketts today, the bill allows child care...