[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...
Category: Maternal & Child Health
Early development and the foundation of mental health
Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics and national partners declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. This declaration focused on the profound growth of mental health hazards associated with the global pandemic, including disruptions...
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...
Maternal depression screenings will help babies, families
Dr. Ann Anderson Berry is a faculty member of University of Nebraska Medical Center and Medical Director of the Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPQIC). She testified on behalf of NPQIC and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center before the...
Policy Advisor Sara Howard offers policy options on maternal depression
Maternal depression is the most common pregnancy and postpartum complication in America, impacting one in every seven women who cease to be pregnant.[1] Even with those statistics, many provider groups agree that this condition remains underdiagnosed, which means even...
FFN testifies at LR221 hearing on maternal and infant mortality and morbidity
First Five Nebraska Policy Advisor Sara Howard testified before the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee at a recent hearing on LR221, Senator Tony Vargas’ interim study of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Panel created after record...
First Five Nebraska launches enhanced, responsive website
We’re excited to announce the launch of First Five Nebraska’s new website. Featuring a fully responsive look and enhanced user experience, the new site was designed to educate and engage Nebraskans around critical early childhood news and policies in our state. “For...
FFN to work with state senators on 5 interim studies
FFN is partnering with several state senators on legislative interim studies focused on early childhood, including the School Readiness Tax Credit, maternal depression and maternal and infant health, home-visiting programs and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
2021 Nebraska Legislature: Early childhood policy highlights
The first session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die May 27. During the scheduled 90-day session, state senators debated and passed critical pieces of legislation, including a biennium budget, a Social Security tax cut and a bill to temporarily...
How involved fathers improve kids’ well-being
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...
Resource helps new and expectant parents guide children’s early development
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,...
Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference set for September
High-quality early care and learning promotes children’s healthy development that sets them up for lifelong success, but it also affects parents’ ability to work and provide for their families, and communities’ ability to grow their local workforce and economy. Please...