The 109th legislative session is in full swing! State senators have introduced nearly 730 bills and constitutional amendments. Although the Governor has the authority to introduce legislation at any point during a session, with the hundreds of pieces of legislation...
Join the First Five Nebraska Policy team for a closer look at early childhood legislation in the 2025 session of the Nebraska Unicameral. Every two weeks beginning on January 28, First Five Nebraska's Deputy Director and Public Policy Manager Elizabeth Everett will...
First Five Nebraska is looking forward to working on interim studies with state senators over the next several months. Senators and legislative committees may introduce resolutions to take a closer look at topics of interest after the Legislature adjourns for the...
More Nebraska families with young children will gain access to home visiting services thanks to $2.5 million allocated in the state budget bill, LB1412, which Governor Pillen signed into law on April 2. The budget was amended to include additional funding for...
First Five Nebraska commends the members of the Nebraska Legislature who voted to pass LB754 (originally introduced as LB318), an important bill for working parents, child care providers and communities across the state. When signed into law by Governor Pillen, LB754...
Extensive research has shown us that children’s earliest experiences build the foundation that affects them for the rest of their lives. Parents are their children’s first and best caregivers and teachers during these early years, but they sometimes struggle with...
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...
Note: The School Readiness Tax Credit program ended with the 2021 tax year. First Five Nebraska is exploring legislation to reinstate the tax credits to provide these important financial supports for child care providers. Our Step-by-Step Guides can help you plan your...
During the past legislative session, Chairman of the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee Senator John Stinner introduced LR390, an interim study to examine the fiscal and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nebraska’s early childhood workforce and...
Mariah Stowe, a Lincoln child care provider, testified on LR390 before the Legislature's Appropriations Committee on the tough decisions facing child care professionals during COVID-19.
At a recent Appropriations Committee hearing, TMCO CEO Diane Temme Stinton testified on LR390, an interim study assessing the fiscal impact of COVID-19 on Nebraska's early childhood workforce and early care and education system.
FFN's Elizabeth Everett tesified at a legislative hearing for LR390 this week, along with experts from the Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission, the state’s early childhood system, business and child care.