First Five Nebraska

It’s spooky season, and you know what’s scaring families and employers in Nebraska? The cost of childcare. Child Care Can is bringing together businesses, providers and communities around one belief: Nebraska’s competitiveness depends on affordable, quality childcare. Stay connected with ways to get involved by signing up to receive emails from Child Care Can: bit.ly/4zgiUXL #Nebraska #ChildCare

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮: A recent poll on childcare in Nebraska highlights a continued strong commitment to Head Start and the foundational early learning it provides for children from families with low income. The statewide poll was conducted on behalf of First Five Nebraska and the First Five Years Fund. By integrating quality early education with health screenings and nutritious meals, Head Start prepares children for kindergarten success while engaging parents through leadership and career development. We're proud to celebrate Head Start and its impact across Nebraska! Learn more about the polling results: loom.ly/k5qefkE #HeadStartAwarenessMonth #Nebraska #ChildCare

Nebraska Examiner: "State Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney said he is hoping to bring legislation next year that would officially bring Nebraska’s Head Start programs into state statute amid growing uncertainty about long-term federal support. Clouse introduced Legislative Resolution 472 earlier this year to examine the state’s existing programs and lay the groundwork for future legislation." FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell Clark testified at the hearing for #LR472 this week, reiterating the importance of bringing Head Start into state statute: “This is to try and provide some of that stability, get it defined. And then going forward in future years, if the state Legislature would consider anything else to support Head Start, it’ll make it a little easier, because state statute recognizes it and knows what it is.” #NEleg #Nebraska loom.ly/lv4C4ak

First Five Nebraska presented State Senator Wendy DeBoer with our Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Champion Award. Senator DeBoer successfully introduced and championed LB304, permanently expanding income eligibility for childcare assistance across Nebraska. Passage of LB304 ensures that thousands of families maintain access to affordable, quality childcare—giving parents peace of mind at work while their children thrive in safe, supportive environments where they can learn and grow. Senator DeBoer also received a special plaque in recognition of her exceptional leadership on LB304. #Nebraska #LB304 #ChildCare #NEleg

Desplácese hacia abajo para ver una versión en español. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: Join us on Tuesday, November 3, at 1:30 p.m. CT, for a providers-only Zoom conversation. We'll discuss interim studies FFN's policy staff is working on with state senators, the election and more. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions of First Five Nebraska's advocacy team. Your voice and leadership are essential to driving meaningful change on important issues! Spanish interpretation will be provided. Register here: loom.ly/CIgWcBo 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹: Acompáñenos el martes, 3 de noviembre, a la 1:30 p.m. (hora central) para una conversación por Zoom exclusiva para proveedores. Discutiremos los estudios provisionales en los que el personal de políticas de FFN está trabajando con los senadores estatales, las elecciones y más. También tendrá la oportunidad de hacer preguntas al equipo de defensa de First Five Nebraska. ¡Su voz y liderazgo son esenciales para impulsar un cambio significativo en temas importantes! Se ofrecerá interpretación al español. Regístrese aquí: loom.ly/CIgWcBo

Early Futures Partnership has submitted a public comment opposing the proposed changes to the 2030 Decennial Census (Docket No. 260903-0005). Our primary concern is that the proposed residence criteria will lead to severe undercounts of children. Proposed changes like adding a citizenship question and relying on tax records threaten to severely undercount children under age 6—especially in rural Nebraska communities. The addition of a citizenship question will likely increase nonresponse rates among all immigrants, regardless of their status. When children are undercounted, it affects childcare access and planning, Medicaid and CHIP funding and Head Start programs. The children most likely to be undercounted in the next census are the ones who need support services the most. We urge federal decision-makers to ensure every child is counted in the 2030 census. Read our comment: loom.ly/_aBGp20 #Nebraska #EarlyChildhood #ChildCare

With proposed federal changes to Head Start, First Five Nebraska and others testified to lawmakers Wednesday and shared the importance of maintaining services for thousands of young and vulnerable Nebraskans. "Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney told the Education Committee he introduced #LR472, an interim study to examine Head Start's impact and funding, partly because the program currently lacks recognition in state statute. Mitchell Clark, policy adviser at First Five Nebraska, said the proposed federal changes could 'potentially disrupt Head Starts and provide a lot of instability for them to be able to continue to carry out their mission.' Putting information related to Head Start in state statute could provide some of that stability, Clark said." #HeadStart #Nebraska #EarlyChildhoodEducation bit.ly/4st1QLC

FFN's Grassroots and Advocacy Advisor Jodi-Renee Girón spent an afternoon this week with Lincoln Childcare Center Directors Association members for a collaborative working and training session focused on strengthening their advocacy and leadership skills. The goal is to continue building their knowledge, confidence and connections to make change happen. #NEleg #Nebraska #ChildCare

FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell Clark testifying on #LR472 on Head Start: Two recommendations for the Legislature to address critical priorities: 1) formally define Head Start in state statute and recognize it as an essential partner in Nebraska’s early childhood system, and 2) authorize a pathway for nonlicensed Head Start programs to acquire fingerprint-based background checks. Nebraska must take proactive steps to safeguard Head Start’s proven model and provide stability for local providers, children and families. #NEleg #HeadStart #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Nebraska

FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell Clark is testifying on #LR472 on Head Start: Proposed federal changes to program performance standards could create a level of instability not seen before. One change would add another layer to background checks and another removes requirements to check child abuse and sex offender registries. #NEleg #HeadStart #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Nebraska

FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell Clark testifying on #LR472 on Head Start: Head Start faces ongoing fiscal and regulatory pressures with flat funding while operational costs compound. The result is that local grantees face immense financial strain. #NEleg #HeadStart #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Nebraska

FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell Clark is testifying on #LR472 on Head Start: Examining what other states are doing around Head Start highlights key areas where Nebraska can evolve, particularly in early childhood integrated data systems (ECIDS). In addition, some states provide supplemental funding and quality enhancements for their Head Start programs. #NEleg #HeadStart #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Nebraska

FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell Clark is testifying on #LR472 on Head Start: Nebraska Head Start programs are integrated through mixed-delivery models, including schools, ESUs and Sixpence partnerships. Its rigorous standards are recognized by Step Up to Quality, Nebraska’s quality rating and improvement system, by being allowed to start at Step 3; Head Start is integrated into the state’s Early Developmental Network which coordinates services for children with disabilities. #NEleg #HeadStart #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Nebraska

FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell Clark is testifying on #LR472 on Head Start: Head Start operates under the federal Head Start Act and its regulatory code, the Head Start Program Performance Standards. It provides services for income-eligible children and families to ensure high-quality early education and support. #NEleg #HeadStart #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Nebraska