Strategic Engagement
Raising capable, successful and healthy children is about more than good parenting. It’s about changing the way we collectively think, talk and make decisions to support children’s early development—even when they’re not our own kids.
Changing the public conversation about early childhood
First Five Nebraska keeps you engaged and informed about childhood policies and initiatives that impact all Nebraskans. We spark the conversation about early childhood through strategic engagement of policymakers, business and economic leaders, early childhood professionals and families in communities across Nebraska. By changing the conversation, we can effect change in our neighborhoods, workplaces, communities and state. Our strategic engagement efforts include:
- Elevate understanding about the impact of early childhood care and learning programs on economic growth and community vitality.
- Providing early childhood expertise and guidance to Nebraska business, industry and economic development interests.
- Provide actionable resources and technical assistance to business and community stakeholders ready to create change in their communities.
- Facilitate supportive relationships between local businesses and early childhood providers and programs to support Nebraska families, communities and businesses.
Messaging Campaigns
We use strategic messaging to build an honest and well-informed conversation about the importance of early childhood. Below are some examples of our recent campaigns.
Meet Your Future
Strong, vibrant communities and a productive future workforce are rooted in the skills and capabilities children begin to acquire in the earliest years of life. In 2013, First Five Nebraska launched Meet Your Future, inviting audiences to learn what role today’s children will play in growing Nebraska’s prosperity and quality of life just a few short decades from now. The campaign envisions this generation’s Nebraska children as the next generation of doctors, lawyers and other skilled professionals. Combining broadcast and social media messaging with a statewide reach, Meet Your Future helps early childhood champions to build a lively and engaging conversation in their own communities. Learn More.
My Nebraska Story
Every family, business and community in Nebraska has a story—and the availability of quality child care affects how those stories unfold. My Nebraska Story offers a robust library of video, social media and print resources designed to help advocates engage business leaders and other stakeholders on the role child care plays in attracting and anchoring working parents and families in Nebraska communities, creating the talent pool our state needs to thrive. Visit the campaign website.
Featured Publications
Black Hills Energy strengthens child care programs through its corporate foundation
An accessible, affordable child care system is critical to keeping Nebraska’s families working, businesses growing and communities thriving. Our Investing in Child Care series highlights how Nebraska employers are championing early childhood care and education...
New calculator shows how child care costs affect families
At First Five Nebraska, we are often asked, “What does the average Nebraska family pay for child care?” And as much as we’d like to give a single number, the truth is that the child care market is complex, and the price families pay for child care depends on several...
A Look Back: Senator Matt Williams
Editor's Note: This is part of a series of blog posts by Nebraska's term-limited senators reflecting on their time in the Nebraska Legislature. We thank State Senator Matt Williams for his dedication and service to Nebraska and District 36. Over my eight years in the...
Memorial Health Care Systems supports employees with on-site child care
Nebraska continued its 11th straight month of record employment in May, according to information released by Governor Ricketts, and the state's 1.9% unemployment rate remains the lowest in the nation. Nebraska also ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for labor force...
We Care for Kids campaign launches across Nebraska
It’s the role of parents to ensure their children benefit from safe, loving and stimulating experiences to help them learn and grow. That’s true whether they are being cared for at home with family, with a neighbor or in another setting. It’s also true that a great...
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...
