Research
Proactive Early Childhood Policy Through Research and Data Analysis
First Five Nebraska’s work is grounded in applied research to inform public policies that provide the best outcomes for Nebraska’s young children, families, businesses and communities. We partner with experts to research and analyze data around a variety of early childhood issues to understand needs across Nebraska. These include the economic impacts of early childhood programs, the cost of high-quality child care, equity and accessibility, supports for the early childhood workforce and more.
The Bottom Line
In 2020, First Five Nebraska and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bureau of Business Research released The Bottom Line, a report that explored the economic impacts of inadequate child care access in Nebraska. Learn more
2021-22 Research Priorities
- Analyzing the efficacy of the School Readiness Tax Credit for early childhood professionals.
- Establishing the costs of high-quality child care in Nebraska.
- Exploring the use of tax credits to bolster Nebraska’s early childhood infrastructure.
Featured Publications
Report: Lack of child care in rural Nebraska impacts business, communities, crime, security
First Five Nebraska Director Jason Prokop and Strategic Partnerships Advisor Mike Feeken recently joined a virtual panel with business, law enforcement and military leaders to release a new report by Council for a Strong America (CSA), Early Childhood Programs’...
Katie Bass joins FFN’s Policy staff
We're happy to introduce Katie Bass as our new Data and Policy Research Advisor. Prior to joining First Five Nebraska, Katie worked to improve outcomes for Nebraska children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. In her most recent role as research...
What is access to reliable, quality child care really worth to Nebraska?
The answer may be as much as a 13% annual return on every dollar we invest in high-quality programs for young children, especially those most at risk. On the other hand, Nebraska researchers say we may lose nearly $1.4 billion annually if we fail to strengthen the...
Senators learn of COVID-19 impacts on state’s early childhood workforce 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.
Early childhood programs’ success, community vitality focus of conference
Nearly 700 civic, business and education leaders, from 99 Nebraska communities, 20 states and Washington, D.C., came together for the third annual Thriving Children, Families, and Communities conference Monday to focus on quality early childhood programs, which became even more critical with the pandemic and their connection to community economic development and vitality.
Lack of child care costs Nebraskans $745 million per year, report finds
A new study by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Bureau of Business Research for First Five Nebraska finds that gaps in child care availability negatively impact family income, employer profitability and state revenue.
