First Five Nebraska

Apply today to join the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy and become a voice for our youngest Nebraskans and their families. Over six months, you'll build grassroots advocacy skills, leadership confidence and policy knowledge to help shape decisions that impact the early care, education and healthy development of young children. Learn more about PLA in this short Q & A video by PLA Facilitator Jodi-Renee Girón and check out the PLA webpage with more information and an application link: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥: Acompáñenos el próximo martes 19 de mayo a la 1:30 p. m. (hora central) para una conversación por Zoom exclusiva para proveedores sobre los avances en políticas públicas en la Legislatura Unicameral que impactan directamente a los proveedores de cuidado infantil. También tendrá la oportunidad de hacer preguntas al equipo de políticas y defensa de First Five Nebraska. ¡Su voz y liderazgo son esenciales para impulsar un cambio significativo en temas importantes durante esta sesión legislativa! Se ofrecerá interpretación al español. Regístrese aquí: bit.ly/4tXbvJV 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: Join us next Tuesday, May 19, at 1:30 p.m. CT, for a providers-only Zoom conversation on advances in public policy in the Unicameral that directly impact childcare providers. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions of First Five Nebraska's policy and advocacy team. Your voice and leadership are essential to driving meaningful change on important issues this legislative session! Spanish interpretation will be provided. Register here: bit.ly/4tXbvJV #Nebraska #NEleg #ChildCare

The Legislature passed State Senator Bob Hallstrom's resolution #LR296 this year urging the President and Congress to reimburse all family childcare homes participating in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at the higher Tier 1 rate. Read the blogpost by provider Erika Felt in support of the measure and the letters sent to Nebraska's congressional delegation asking for their vote in favor of H.R. 2859 in the House and S. 1420 in the Senate. loom.ly/-Ery0bo #NEleg #CACFP #ChildCare #Nebraska

The federal Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families released its final rule for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) yesterday. The final rule repeals the following requirements: ▪️Capping CCDF family co-payment at 7% of income ▪️Paying child care providers prospectively (at the start of the service period)  ▪️Paying providers based on a child’s enrollment rather than daily attendance ▪️Providing some direct services through grants or contracts Note: It remains allowable for states to implement these measures in their subsidy programs; it is no longer a requirement to do so. Read the final rule: loom.ly/1_VBP1M Read FFN's comment on the proposed rule changes submitted in February: "Comment Submitted in Opposition to Proposed Federal CCDF Rule Changes" loom.ly/4x6ZaS8 #CCDF

Leaders from across the country recently gathered in Kalispell, Montana, for the latest Early Childhood and Business Advisory Council (ECBAC) convening hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the @BPC_Bipartisan. Nebraska was represented by First Five Nebraska, @NebraskaChamber and the Development Council for Buffalo County, who continued efforts to position early childhood as a workforce and economic development priority through cross-sector collaboration and business engagement. Left to right in the photo: Dena Beck, 6 Regions One Nebraska; Hunter Traynor, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Amanda Polacek, @GrowBuffaloCo; and FFN's Mike Feeken and Elizabeth Everett. #Nebraska #EarlyChildhood #EconomicDevelopment @amandapolacek @feekeheio

Alexandra Dillon, early learning connection grant manager at ESU 10, said of her experience in the Policy Leadership Academy: "PLA gave me critical insight into the perspective of a senator, what kind of information they value, how to package it and when to deliver the message. The ongoing connection with other PLA alumni helps me stay connected and motivated!" Thank you for all you're doing for Nebraska students, families and communities, Alexandra! Applications for PLA are open now open. Learn more: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla PLA alumni: (kneeling) Maricela Novoa, Class 4; left to right: Alexandra Dillon, Class 1; Taylor Brase, Class 4; Erika Fink, Class 1; Wendy Gwennap, Class 3; Tierra Harper, Class 4. #NECLeaders #NECPLA #Nebraska #PLA

A new brief from Kidsights Data at @UNMC highlights the connection between parents’ mental and emotional well-being and healthy child development. Based on survey data from Nebraska families with children from birth to age 5, the report shows that while most parents report good mental health, many still experience symptoms of anxiety or depression. Social support through family, friends or community resources emerges as a key factor in helping parents manage the daily pressures of raising young children. Learn more: linkedin.com/pulse/new-brie…

Researchers at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and University of Utah have a new grant opportunity for communities interested in adopting and implementing Building Healthy Families (BHF), a Family Healthy Weight Program recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The BHF Scale-Up project aims to provide an evidence-based program to communities identifying childhood obesity as a priority health concern. Learn more: unk.edu/bhfRegister for a May 13 webinar: bit.ly/4dfbM45 @UNKearney

Apply now for the upcoming Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) where you'll learn practical tools in grassroots advocacy, data use, asset mapping and policymaking to help you mobilize your community and become a strong, effective voice for young children and their families. Learn more and apply: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla #PLA #Nebraska #NECLeaders #NECPLA

Apply now for the upcoming Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) where you'll learn practical tools in grassroots advocacy, data use, asset mapping and policymaking to help you mobilize your community and become a strong, effective voice for young children and their families. Learn more and apply: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla #PLA #Nebraska #NECLeaders #NECPLA

THANK YOU, child care professionals! 🩵 "Research consistently shows that investing in early childhood yields strong returns for children, families and the broader economy." #ProviderAppreciationDay nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/08/opi…

In recognition of Maternal Mental Health Month, the Nebraska chapter of Postpartum International is presenting a free viewing of the documentary "More Than Blue" featuring women sharing their personal journeys with maternal mental health. The viewing will be May 14 at 6 p.m. CT at two locations: In Omaha at Methodist Women's Bernard Conference Room in the Medical Office Building, and in Lincoln at Bryan Medical Plaza Conference Rooms B & C. Space is limited so register soon at: tinyurl.com/mtbomaha26 #MaternalMentalHealthMonth

Ready to turn your passion into policy change? Applications are open for the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) through June 12! For the past nine years, First Five Nebraska has empowered advocates from all backgrounds to build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to help shape public policy and strengthen communities across Nebraska. Whether you work in education, health care, business, faith community, nonprofit—or simply care deeply about children and families—PLA is designed for people who are ready to grow as leaders and create lasting impact in early childhood and maternal health. If you’re ready to take the next step in your advocacy journey—or know someone who is—now is the time to apply. Learn more: firstfivenebraska.org/blog/apply-for… #Nebraska #PLA #NECPLA #NECLeaders #EarlyChildhood

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: Join us 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, May 5, at 1:30 p.m. CT, for a 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬-𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐙𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 with an inside look at state public policy developments that directly impact childcare. You'll also be able to ask questions of FFN's policy and advocacy team and leave with information unique to you as providers. Your voice and leadership are essential to driving meaningful change with state lawmakers. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Register here: bit.ly/4tXbvJV 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥: Únase a nosotros hoy, 5 de mayo a la 1:30 p.m. CT para una conferencia presencial en línea con una perspectiva privilegiada sobre las novedades en políticas públicas estatales que impactan directamente el cuidado infantil. También podrá hacer preguntas al equipo de políticas y defensa de FFN y obtener información exclusiva para proveedores. Su voz y liderazgo son esenciales para impulsar un cambio significativo con los legisladores estatales. Se ofrecerá interpretación al español. Regístrese aquí: bit.ly/4tXbvJV

Calling all change leaders—the application for the 2026-27 Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy is open! Learn more about PLA, including a detailed overview of the program, and access the application link on the PLA webpage: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla. #Nebraska #NECLeaders #NECPLA #PLA

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥: Nuestra próxima charla de los martes es mañana, 5 de mayo, a la 1:30 p. m. (hora central). Acompáñenos en esta conversación de una hora, exclusiva para proveedores, donde analizaremos los avances en las políticas públicas estatales que impactan directamente el cuidado infantil. También podrá hacer preguntas al equipo de políticas y defensa de FFN y obtener información y oportunidades únicas para usted como proveedor. Su voz y liderazgo son esenciales para impulsar un cambio significativo con los legisladores estatales de Nebraska. Se ofrecerá interpretación al español. Regístrese aquí: bit.ly/4tXbvJV