First Five Nebraska @FirstFiveNebr

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐚: 6 Regions, One Nebraska and Early Futures Partnership are bringing business leaders, early childhood educators, public officials and other stakeholders together to build community-led solutions for our state's childcare shortage. From projects underway—to expand childcare across 25 counties and in the Panhandle—to hosting community listening sessions in Nebraska City, Hebron, York, and Falls City, change is happening. Read our blog post to see how Nebraska is gaining traction for meaningful, cross-sector solutions: bit.ly/4g2FtZb @earlyfutures #ChildCare #Nebraska

𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉, 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆: As a member of the Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA), you'll develop advocacy skills needed to shape local and state policies that champion young children and their families. Beyond the structured learning, you'll connect with like-minded leaders throughout our state. After graduation, you'll become part of PLA's active alumni network, opening the door to continued collaboration and opportunities. Learn more: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟐! #Nebraska #PLA #NECLeaders #EarlyChildhood #NECPLA

The Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference is always a great day of connecting with Nebraskans from across the state dedicated to building a strong future for our youngest children! #ThrivingChildren2026 #Nebraska

earlyfutures @earlyfutures

4 days ago

The Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference is NE's premier, cross-sector event focused on building a stronger early childhood system. Learn more on the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/1qZj6b… Register for free at: thrivingchildrenconference.vfairs.com

0 0 1 70 0

𝑩𝒆 𝒂 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑵𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒂'𝒔 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆! Join the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) and unlock your leadership potential! As a member of the PLA, you'll engage in a dynamic curriculum that includes: 🟨 In-person workshops led by experts in advocacy and data 🟨 An immersive day at the state Capitol 🟨 A capstone project where you'll apply your newfound advocacy knowledge to a real-world challenge. PLA also offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with other change leaders across the state. Upon graduation, you'll join a robust network of alumni who are trusted voices in their communities and valuable partners to Nebraska public officials. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟐: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla #NECLeaders #EarlyChildhood #NECPLA #Nebraska #PLA

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥: Únanse a nosotros en nuestra próxima charla del martes, mañana, 2 de junio, 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. Regístrense aquí: bit.ly/4x2PdsE 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: Our next Tuesday Talks is tomorrow, June 2, 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! Register here: bit.ly/4x2PdsE

Join the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy and unlock your leadership potential! You'll work with experts and classmates to build advocacy skills to help connect the dots between quality early care and learning and thriving local economies. Apply by June 12! Learn more about PLA, including a detailed overview of the program and application information, here: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla

FFN Strategic Partnerships Advisor Mike Feeken took part in a community conversation in South Sioux City last week on the vital role childcare plays in building a strong, thriving local economy. Strategic investments in childcare and early childhood education directly impact economic development in rural Nebraska communities. #Nebraska #ChildCare #EconomicDevelopment #EarlyChildhood @feekeheio

As a member of the Policy Leadership Academy's 8th cohort, you'll master skills needed to become a powerful voice for young children, including: 🔷 Understanding and applying principles of authentic, community-led advocacy 🔷 Identifying and interpreting key data to spotlight early childhood needs and challenges 🔷 Establishing yourself as a trusted resource and leader on early childhood issues Don't delay—applications close June 12. Questions to PLA Facilitator Jodi-Renee Girón are encouraged: [email protected] Learn more firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla #Nebraska #EarlyChildhood #NECLeaders #NECPLA #PLA

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐚’𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬? Apply now for the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy! During this 6-month program, you'll build grassroots advocacy skills, leadership confidence and policy knowledge to help shape the future of early care and education in our state. Learn more and apply by June 12: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla/ #PLA #NECPLA #NECLeaders

FFN's Elizabeth Everett and Chris Triebsch are in Washington, D.C., this week to team up with the First Five Years Fund and leaders from other states to drive early childhood policy forward and to connect with congressional staff. Nebraska @SenatorFischer spoke yesterday, highlighting how vital childcare is for growing our workforce. She also spoke about her bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act, which expands childcare access for working families. Thank you to Senator Fischer for her leadership and for being a champion for kids and families. #Childcare #Nebraska

𝐖𝐈𝐂 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬: Beginning July 1, the Nebraska Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program services in north and north central Nebraska will be provided at two new agencies. The new agencies are Loup Basin Public Health Dept. in Burwell and North Central Health Dept. in O'Neill. Learn more: bit.ly/4dph8v1 #Nebraska #WIC

𝐁𝐞 𝐚 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐚'𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞! Join the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy and unlock your leadership potential! You'll work with experts and fellow advocates over six months to learn how to make a real impact on policies that affect children, families and communities across our state. Learn more and apply now for the 2026-2027 cohort: firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla/ #PLA #Nebraska #EarlyChildhood #NECPLA #NECLeaders

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: Join us 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, May 19, 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, 19 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

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: Our next Tuesday Talks is tomorrow, May 19, 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 hashtag Nebraska state lawmakers! Spanish interpretation will be provided. Register here: bit.ly/4tXbvJV 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥: Únanse a nosotros en nuestra próxima charla del martes, mañana 19 de mayo, 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: bit.ly/4tXbvJV