October 2022

FFN testifies at hearings for LR266, LR378 interim studies First Five Nebraska's Data and Policy Research Advisor Dr. Katie Bass testified at two hearings before the Nebraska Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee on Oct. 7. The hearings were for interim study resolutions LR266 and LR378, both introduced by State Senator Jen Day, Dist. 49. LR266 examines processes related to investigating reports of child abuse or neglect in licensed child care facilities. FFN’s testimony included two notifications identified during the study that would enhance parents’ ability to make decisions about child care. FFN's testimony on LR266   LR378 studies the process for setting reimbursement rates for child care providers serving children and families through the child care subsidy program. Nebraska uses a market rate survey to determine reimbursement rates, which often do not reflect the actual cost of providing quality early care and learning. FFN's testimony on LR378 | FFN's Policy Brief on LR378  FFN/Pillars report: Setting Child Care Subsidy Reimbursement Rates FFN blogpost on the hearings

Governor signs proclamation for 'We Care for Kids Day' Governor Ricketts proclaimed Sept. 30 as "We Care for Kids Day" in Nebraska to recognize the importance of high-quality early childhood education and its critical role in creating and sustaining vibrant communities. Attending the signing ceremony were FFN Director Jason Prokop and representatives from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Nebraska Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, Lincoln Littles and UNL Children's Center.

Watch KETV's coverage: 'Things Need to Change: Parents say quality child care is hard to find and too expensive' Learn how to get involved in the We Care for Kids campaign

American Rescue Plan Act grants are available for qualifying child care providers The Nebraska Department of Labor is accepting applications for ARPA Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grants, which are available to child care providers who qualify. The grants may be used to offer premium pay to full-time staff employed in licensed center-based and preschool programs. Grant funds will be obligated on a first-come, first-served basis, so providers should not delay in submitting their applications. Learn more

AP News: 'Desperation': Child care struggle worsens in rural U.S. "From Oregon to New York, demand for child care far exceeds supply. Families are growing increasingly desperate as providers deal with staffing shortages exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic as well as historically low pay worsened by inflation. The median hourly wage for child care workers is $11.43, according to May 2021 figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Starbucks, Target and Amazon offer a minimum wage of $15 an hour for entry-level positions with no certification requirements. Providers are struggling to match those wages in a tight post-pandemic labor market." Read more Washington Post: How to fix America's broken child care industry "Child care was in trouble long before the pandemic. The industry has operated on a flawed business model for decades. Because infants and toddlers require more staffing than other age groups, programs are labor-intensive and costly to run. But imposing higher charges to reflect those costs would make them unaffordable for many families. As a result, centers operate at very slim profit margins, offering workers low wages and few benefits for grueling work. It’s no wonder so many caregivers have left to work in industries such as retail and hospitality." Read more

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