"On paper, childcare capacity in Lancaster County looks steady. Capacity is growing at childcare centers, which is masking the loss of smaller providers, according to a report. The number of family home childcare providers has fallen 35% in recent years." The smaller, home-based providers are often more affordable for families. The report, "Growing with Care: Child Care and Economic Opportunity in Lancaster County," by First Five Nebraska was sponsored by the @LincolnChamber, @LancasterCo_Ne, @CityOfLincoln and @LincolnLittles. #ChildCare 1011now.com/2026/10/21/repor…

"Lincoln's economy is suffering—to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars—as a result of an inadequate childcare system, and a new report digs into why that's the case. Katie Bass, co-author of 'Growing with Care' by First Five Nebraska, said it's time to find data-informed solutions to the childcare crisis. 'Not only is there a cost to action, there's a cost to inaction...If the system cannot meet the needs, our economy will suffer overall.' " journalstar.com/news/local/e…

Thank you to the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, City of Lincoln, Lancaster County and Lincoln Littles for hosting the release of "Growing with Care: Child Care and Economic Opportunity in Lancaster County" today. FFN's new report examines childcare in our area and the impact of inadequate care options for local families, businesses and communities. The findings are clear: Investing in childcare solutions is essential for building a stronger workforce and economy. Learn more: bit.ly/4siDvbd #ChildCare #Nebraska @LincolnChamber @LancasterCo_Ne @CityOfLincoln @MayorLeirion @SeanRFlowerday @LincolnLittles

"Inadequate child care costs Lancaster County an estimated $288.8 million annually in business output, according to a new report released Wednesday that documents the effects on working families, employers and the local economy. The estimate includes direct economic losses and ripple effects through the economy. The report separately estimates $264.2 million in lost labor income, a reduction of 1,115 jobs in Lancaster County and $10.44 million in lost Nebraska income tax revenue. The findings come from 'Growing with Care: Child Care and Economic Opportunity in Lancaster County', a First Five Nebraska report sponsored by the City of Lincoln, Lancaster County, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Littles. klin.com/2026/10/21/report-i…

New polling conducted on behalf of First Five Nebraska and the First Five Years Fund highlights an overwhelming bipartisan consensus: Childcare is a critical workforce and economic issue in Nebraska, and voters want action. Key takeaways from the poll: 73% say childcare is a crisis or major problem for working families. 76% support a state child tax credit, with 74% backing an expanded credit for families with children ages birth to age 5. 70% agree that expanding access to childcare directly strengthens Nebraska's workforce and economy. Strong bipartisan support continues for Head Start and the federal Child Care Modernization Act. Learn more in our blog post and click the Nebraska Polling Memo link for additional polling results: loom.ly/nKeVFJA To find all our blog posts at our new online home at earlyfutures.org, click on the News tab top right on the home page. #ChildCare #Nebraska #HeadStart

A special thank you to former State Senator Annette Dubas for delivering the keynote on the power of grassroots advocacy at this year's Policy Leadership Academy kickoff! With a passion for public service, Dubas previously served as the first executive director of the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations. Today she continues her work as the central Nebraska director of programming for NAMI Nebraska, where she champions education, support and advocacy for individuals and families navigating mental health conditions. @NebraskaNAMI #Nebraska #NEleg

The 8th cohort of the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) kicked off in Kearney this week! Over the next five months, these emerging leaders will build their skills in grassroots advocacy, early childhood policy and leadership. Day One covered the roots and cycle of effective advocacy, how to build momentum for early childhood issues and how to research, interpret and use local data in their advocacy work. Huge thanks to our first-session speakers: Jodi-Renee Girón, PLA coordinator and FFN's grassroots and advocacy advisor; Dr. Katie Bass, director of policy research at Early Futures Partnership; Annette Dubas, former state senator and central Nebraska director of programming for @NebraskaNAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness); and Maddie Gates, community engagement lead at @LincolnLittles. #PLA #NECLeaders #Nebraska @earlyfutures

The number of childcare workers in Nebraska from the first quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026 looked like there was very little change. However, during that time, 4,265 workers left the industry and 4,083 workers entered it. That's a significant turnover rate. Looking at a single number can hide major changes, which is why considering hiring, turnover, retention and separation together give a better indication of the health of an industry. In a guest blog post for FFN, the Nebraska Department of Labor breaks down how these rates are measured and why examining hiring, turnover, retention and separation gives a clearer picture of the childcare industry as a whole. Learn more: earlyfutures.org/news/behind… #Nebraska #ChildCare

We're excited to share some big news: First Five Nebraska has a new home! Beginning this week, all the features and resources housed on First Five Nebraska's website have officially moved to our new online location on the Early Futures Partnership website at earlyfutures.org. You'll still find all the FFN tools and information you rely on—including our public policy updates, child care affordability calculator, blog and more—now alongside information about our sister initiative, Communities for Kids. Visit FFN at our new home at earlyfutures.org and explore the work we're doing to build stronger systems to support young children and families.

Sydney and Mike Jensen of Lincoln were featured in an “Affording America” segment on NBC News this week. The couple thought they were on solid financial footing until a series of unexpected expenses, including car repairs and a new furnace, pushed their costs past their income. Included in their expenses, they say, is paying at least $2,000 a month for childcare. Mike works in the tech industry and Sydney teaches at Lincoln High, and is a former Nebraska Teacher of the Year. Despite having stable, respected careers, the couple finds themselves falling behind. "I feel like we did all the right things," said Sydney. "We both have full-time jobs and yet we are still struggling." Watch here: nbcnews.com/nightly-news/vid… #ChildCare #Nebraska

State Senator Bob Hallstrom's Legislative Resolution #LR296 has been officially submitted as a memorial to the U.S. Congress and referred to committee. A memorial is a formal request, usually sent by a state legislature, asking Congress to take a specific action. LR296 urges reimbursing all family home childcare providers in the Child and Adult Care Food Program at the same rate regardless of their location. Providers currently are classified as Tier I or Tier II based on eligibility rules, with Tier II being reimbursed at a lower rate despite serving prioritized lower-income families. We thank the advocates who championed year-round healthy food access for Nebraska's youngest children. Testifiers at the hearing for LR296 during this year's legislative session were (from left): FFN Policy Advisor Mitchell L. Clark; Carrie Sullivan, executive director of the PROVIDER'S NETWORK, INC. Child Care Food Program; Senator Hallstrom; Taylor Furnas, owner of Taylor's Tiny Friends family childcare home in Syracuse; and Erika Felt, owner of The Playschool House family childcare home in Omaha. #CACFP #Nebraska #NEleg #ChildCare

More than one-third of Nebraska parents with young children (34%) report being unable to pay for necessities (such as food and housing) due to childcare costs, rising to nearly half (48%) among families earning under $100,000. That’s why Nebraskans must address our childcare challenges. Our state can’t compete if families can’t afford what they need to live. Learn more from Kidsights Data at the University of Nebraska Medical Center: unmc.edu/publichealth/_docum…