April 2021

Signed state budget includes additional funding for Sixpence   Governor Pete Ricketts signed the state budget bill for FY2021/22 - FY2022/23 into law April 26, which includes a funding increase for Sixpence, Nebraska's signature effort to help parents guide the healthy development of their infants and toddlers. Sixpence will receive an additional $2.5 million each of the next two years, building on $5 million in existing annual appropriations from the General Fund. State Senator John Stinner (District 48, Gering) proposed the funding increase in LB342 this session. Stinner, who chairs the Appropriations Committee, said Sixpence has been an asset to Scotts Bluff County and he hopes other parts of the state will be able to benefit from the grant-funded programs. Read blog post LB351: Governor Ricketts also signed LB351 into law this month, allowing child care providers to retain their quality rating in Step Up to Quality if they decide to grow their businesses to serve more children. This is great news for many parents and communities across Nebraska dealing with a serious shortage of quality child care options. Read blog post LB485: Senators have advanced LB485 to Select File, the second round of debate. Senator Wendy DeBoer's (District 10, Bennington) bill would use federal funds to help remobilize Nebraska's workforce in the wake of COVID-19 by expanding eligibility for the child care subsidy and transitional child care assistance. The bill was amended to include a three-year sunset and a provision requiring an evaluation of the impact of the income eligibility changes. Read FFN's testimony on LB485 The pace is picking up in the Legislature with about 20 days remaining in the session. There will be a push to address a number of senators' priority bills remaining on General File, and several tax-related bills will consume debate time so some late nights are likely as senators work toward a June 10 (tentative) final adjournment. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for daily information on early childhood bills. On our website's Nebraska Legislation page, see information on bill intent, sponsor, current status in the Unicameral and to read FFN testimony, policy briefs and blog posts. To see all bills we're following, scroll to the bottom of the page, select 2021 on the left and Check All in the right column and click Search.

Federal American Rescue Plan to help stabilize Nebraska child care businesses Nebraska will receive $232.3 million in American Rescue Plan funding to address the child care crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dollars will be provided through two funds -- the first to stabilize child care businesses or help them re-open, and the second to give states flexibility to meet care needs like helping more families access quality care, making child care more affordable or increasing EC workers' compensation, for example. Read more

FFN is excited to continue our work with the Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to strengthen connections between early childhood research and policy. Deputy Director Elizabeth Everett spoke recently on FFN's work, the policy process and how building stronger relationships can lead to more effective policies for Nebraska.

Child Care Referral Network marks first anniversary FFN was proud to work with public and private partners in developing the Nebraska Child Care Referral Network launched in April 2020. It was created to connect parents working essential jobs in the battle against COVID-19 and desperate for child care with providers who were struggling to stay open during the public health emergency. In its first year, nearly 800 providers joined the site and 11,000+ users accessed it to locate child care openings in their area. The first of its kind in Nebraska, the network continues to be a valuable resource for working parents and is providing valuable data on the state's child care capacity needs. Read more

For information on coronavirus in Nebraska or to take a health assessment survey, visit Test Nebraska. See the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services website for a state overview, guidance documents, Directed Health Measures and many additional resources.

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