First Five Nebraska

¿Necesita un poco de ayuda para tener comidas saludables en la mesa cuando la escuela esté en receso? Recibir el EBT de verano no afectará el estatus migratorio de los niños ni sus familias. Averigüe lo que puede estar disponible para su hijo en: loom.ly/3UNAPRA

Updated link: allforkids.org/blog/why-fathe…

When fathers are actively involved with their family, kids thrive—developing stronger cognitive, motor and verbal skills alongside a boost in confidence. Why? One reason is because dads parent differently than moms, especially in the way they communicate and interact with their kids. And the good news is that a positive male figure other than dad can be a role model and mentor, and contribute to a child’s healthy development. Learn more ways involved fathers contribute to their children's well-being: loom.ly/kWTpeMk #FathersDay #Parenting #Nebraska

¡Si su hijo asiste a una escuela que ofrece el programa Nacional de Almuerzo Escolar o de Desayuno Escolar y los ingresos de su hogar califican para recibir comidas escolares gratis o a bajo costo, su familia puede recibir los beneficios para la compra de alimentos del programa EBT de verano! Obtenga más información aquí: loom.ly/3UNAPRA

If your child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and your household income meets the requirements for free and reduced-price school meals, your family can receive Summer EBT grocery benefits! Find out more here: loom.ly/4u-eD9M

Lincoln Littles' Suzanne Schneider shares how Lincoln's childcare community came together to create a shared emergency alert system that grew into a community-wide effort. #ChildCare #Nebraska #EarlyChildhood loom.ly/xo-nqQ8

Este verano, Nebraska brindará beneficios de comida a las familias con niños en edad escolar elegibles durante los meses en que no haya clases. Obtenga más información sobre el programa en tinyurl.com/muzdyj4p

This summer, families in Nebraska can get $120 in benefits, per eligible school-age child, to use for groceries while school is out during the summer. Learn more about the program at loom.ly/4u-eD9M #Nebraska

Read more about the report and its findings here: ffyf.org/2026/07/06/new…

Thank you @SenatorFischer for leading the way in strengthening childcare by introducing the Child Care Modernization Act with co-sponsor Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). #ChildCare #Nebraska #ChildCareWorkforce

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: Join us 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, July 7, 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 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: tinyurl.com/5fc5zcdn 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥: Únase a nosotros hoy, 7 de julio 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: tinyurl.com/5fc5zcdn

Childcare shortages affect everyone. To address capacity issues in childcare, several Nebraska communities hope to start a regional substitute network to connect qualified substitute teachers with programs to prevent classroom closures when educators need to take time off. FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell Clark said this is possible with legislation passed by state lawmakers this year, which is essentially a "fast track" to allow substitute teachers to work under supervision when one background check clears while waiting on the others. Organizers are still looking for four communities to join the pilot before moving forward with the project. Learn more: tinyurl.com/y5a3y98n #ChildCare #Nebraska @LincolnLittles

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥: Únanse a nosotros en nuestra próxima charla del martes, mañana 7 de julio, a la 1:30 p. m. (hora central). Esta conversación especial de una hora, exclusiva para proveedores, a través de Zoom, ofrece a los educadores de la primera infancia una perspectiva interna sobre los avances en las políticas públicas estatales que impactan directamente el cuidado infantil. También podrán hacer preguntas al equipo de políticas y defensa de FFN y obtener información y oportunidades exclusivas para ustedes como proveedores. Su voz y liderazgo son esenciales para impulsar un cambio significativo con los legisladores estatales. Se proporcionará interpretación al español. Regístrense aquí: tinyurl.com/5fc5zcdn 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: Our next Tuesday Talks is tomorrow, July 7, 1:30 p.m. CT. Join us for this one-hour, providers-only conversation for a 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 and opportunities unique to you as providers. Your voice and leadership are essential to driving meaningful change with Nebraska state lawmakers! Spanish interpretation will be provided. Register here: tinyurl.com/5fc5zcdn

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reopened grant applications for intergenerational care programs following passage of FFN priority bill #LB721 to expand the applicant pool. Eligible nursing home or assisted-living facility operators interested in addressing the growing need for co-located child and elder care can apply. For more information, click this link: loom.ly/NEVwWd0 and scroll down to "New Grant Funding Opportunities" --> "Request for Applications: RFA R-3891 Intergenerational Childcare." Applications will be accepted continuously until the limited funding is dispersed. #NEleg #Nebraska

The Nebraska School Readiness Tax Credit is back for 2026! You may be eligible if you: * Work in a participating Step Up to Quality program for 6+ months in 2026 * Complete 12 verified training hours in 2026 The first step toward receiving the School Readiness Tax Credit is completing the attestation form application in NECPRS. The application is open now, and all attestation forms must be submitted by January 15, 2027. Funding for this credit ran out last year and is expected to go quickly again this year. Submitting your attestation form application early will allow you to apply for the tax credit as soon as the Nebraska Department of Revenue opens its application.

The Nebraska School Readiness Tax Credit is back for 2026! You may be eligible if you: ✅ Work in a participating Step Up to Quality program for 6+ months in 2026 ✅ Complete 12 verified training hours in 2026 The first step toward receiving the School Readiness Tax Credit is completing the attestation form application in NECPRS. The application is open now, and all attestation forms must be submitted by January 15, 2027. Funding for this credit ran out last year and is expected to go quickly again this year. Submitting your attestation form application early will allow you to apply for the tax credit as soon as the Nebraska Department of Revenue opens its application. Learn more: stepuptoquality.ne.gov/tax-credits

New Medicaid work requirements under the federal law H.R.1 are now in effect in Nebraska. If you receive Medicaid through the expansion program, you may now be required to complete at least 80 hours per month of work, approved job training, community service or education. However, if you are pregnant, postpartum or have a child age 13 or younger living in your home, you are exempt from these work requirements. Learn more in our blog post, "Medicaid Work Requirements are in Effect in Nebraska—Learn How to Protect Your Coverage." loom.ly/s3iw4cQ #Medicaid #Nebraska #HR1

FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell Clark spoke with @NebPublicMedia reporter Jolie Peal for her story on a pilot project underway in Seward County to develop substitute pools for early childhood educators when they are sick or need a day off, similar to what's available in K-12 schools. Stay tuned! We'll share the story when it's available! #NEleg #Nebraska #EarlyChildhoodWorkforce

On behalf of @EarlyFutures initiatives Communities for Kids and First Five Nebraska, congratulations to Dr. Susan Sheridan on her achievements as @UNL_CYFS director and her upcoming retirement. We're grateful for her experience, insight and leadership. #Nebraska

Read State Senator Wendy DeBoer's guest blog post on introducing and prioritizing #LB304, and the intentional legislation leading up to LB304 that paved the way. Passed this year, LB304 made permanent the current income eligibility requirements for childcare assistance. "With its implementation, we ensure working families can afford quality childcare, stay in the workforce and strengthen Nebraska’s economy," wrote Senator DeBoer. "On behalf of children and families all across the state—and with true appreciation for providers who serve them every day—it was an honor to carry this bill and see it across the finish line. Thank you for standing with me on this important bipartisan issue." #ChildCare #NEleg #Nebraska firstfivenebraska.org/blog/making-ch…