May/June 2021

Senators pass important early childhood legislation during the 2021 session The first session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die May 27. During the 90-day session, senators debated and passed critical pieces of legislation, including a biennium budget, a Social Security tax cut and a bill to temporarily expand income eligibility limits for Child Care Subsidy. In total, lawmakers passed 200 bills this session. Because this was the first year of the two-year biennium, remaining bills will be carried over to the 2022 session. Senators will return for a special session in the fall for redistricting, the process of adjusting Congressional and Legislative district boundaries every 10 years based on new Census data. Before adjourning, policymakers debated LR134 to set guidelines and policies for the complicated redistricting process. Interim session First Five Nebraska worked with several senators to introduce legislative resolutions for five interim studies. We look forward to engaging stakeholders in the upcoming months on the School Readiness Tax Credit, home visitation programs, maternal mental health and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Read our summary of the 2021 legislative session, focusing on bills that will affect Nebraska's youngest children and their families Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for information on early childhood bills. Visit our website's Nebraska Legislation page to see information on bill intent, sponsor, current status in the Unicameral and to read FFN testimony, policy briefs and blog posts.

American Families Plan includes child care measures The Biden administration's American Families Plan proposes an array of investments to create pathways to education and financial stability for families and improve the well-being of parents and children nationwide. Included in the proposal are reduced costs for high-quality child care for low- and middle-income families and improved earnings, benefits and professional development opportunities for early childhood educators. Components of the plan are being discussed as lawmakers develop legislation based on the proposal. Learn more

New Policy Leadership Academy class to launch in September The application window for the 2021-2022 Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy begins June 21 and ends July 19. PLA Class 3 meetings will kick off in the fall. FFN began this non-partisan initiative three years ago to help citizen-leaders develop their skills to advocate for public policies that support development of young children. FFN is committed to promoting the well-being and positive outcomes of all children and families, regardless of race, ethnicity or culture. We strongly encourage applicants who can contribute a diversity of experiences and perspectives to apply. Learn more

Learning Begins at Birth handbook for new parents is available in 5 languages Learning Begins at Birth, an updated resource that helps new and expectant parents guide their children's early development, is being distributed free statewide through Nebraska birthing hospitals, WIC and public health centers, nonprofits, home-visiting initiatives and other organizations. It is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese and Karen. FFN Policy Advisor Adam Feser co-led the workgroup to update Learning Begins at Birth. To help distribute this handbook, you can contact Adam using the information here: Learn more

New Sixpence grants announced The Sixpence Early Learning Fund will accept proposals for a new round of grants to help communities establish new or expand existing early childhood programs for children at risk and their families. The new grants are a result of LB342, introduced by State Senator John Stinner, which allocated an additional $2.5 million per year for Sixpence for the next two years. LB342 was included in the signed state budget bill. Sixpence is Nebraska's signature public-private initiative promoting community-designed programs focused on the developmental needs of infants and toddlers, especially those most at risk. Eligible applicants for Sixpence grants are local school districts and cooperatives of school districts that include at least one community-based organization. A Request for Proposal (RFP) webinar will be Monday, June 21, 4-5 p.m. CDT. A district contact or community partner must attend the webinar to apply for a grant. Learn more

Join the FFN team! First Five Nebraska is seeking a Grassroots and Outreach Advisor to lead coordination of local-level advocacy and engagement to advance early childhood policy at the local and statewide levels. A central responsibility will be to oversee FFN’s Policy Leadership Academy, designed to deepen participants' knowledge of early childhood issues and public policy environments and processes at the administrative and legislative levels. Learn more

For information on coronavirus in Nebraska or to take a health assessment survey, visit Test Nebraska. See the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for more information and many additional resources.

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