August 2019
Discover how high-quality early care
and learning supports community vitality
The Thriving Children, Families, and Communities conference is almost here! Register by Friday, Sept. 6.

The connection between high-quality early childhood education and economic development will be the focus of the Thriving Children conference September 16 in Kearney. The opening keynote will be presented by Dr. Helen Raikes, Willa Cather Professor of Child, Youth and Family Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Geared toward leaders in business, education, economic development, child care, higher ed, government and philanthropy, you'll learn more about quality early education programs and services and their important role in economic development. The conference is free, but registration is required.

Check out the full Thriving Children conference agenda and register by Sept. 6!

Senior Policy Associate Elizabeth Lopez Everett has been visiting Nebraska communities to learn about their early childhood infrastructure. She recently toured Ogallala and Lewellen, two communities participating in the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation's Communities for Kids initiative.

If you’re interested in having First Five Nebraska visit your community or give a presentation about the importance of quality environments during a child’s earliest years, please email Elizabeth at  eeverett@firstfivenebraska.org . Check out her blogposts for updates on her travels.


We'd like to welcome Amanda Felton to our Administrative staff. Before joining First Five Nebraska, Amanda worked for the State of Nebraska in various office management capacities. The past four years were spent as Administrative Assistant to the Nebraska Children's Commission where she managed and organized the operations of the advisory body as it worked toward reforming the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It was in this position that Amanda recognized a passion for using her skills to help Nebraska's children. She has a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

We're excited to see early childhood education and infrastructure prioritized in Blueprint Nebraska's statewide strategic plan. The plan proposes making early childhood education a more viable career path by promoting increased wages and expanding professional development opportunities, among other things. Blueprint Nebraska is also targeting 18- to 34-year-olds to put down roots, grow their careers and raise their families in our state. That can't happen without sufficient quality early care and learning options for them.

The leaders behind Blueprint Nebraska are currently touring the state to share plan highlights. Find a Blueprint Nebraska event near you and share your thoughts on strengthening our state's early childhood infrastructure.

Quick Links

Dr. Helen Raikes is a tireless advocate and pioneering University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor who has changed the way our state and country view and mold young minds. Read more about this early childhood 'godmother,' who's delivering the keynote at the upcoming Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference.


Michael Foods recently donated $50,000 to expand child care capacity to help its employees and the community of Wakefield. This is an example of how insightful corporate leadership can transform communities and create broader economic opportunity for working Nebraska families.