Community Resource Sharing Newsletter

Nebraska Child Care Tax Credit Presentations

Did you know that in Nebraska, more than 75% of children under age six live in homes where all adults work? These families rely on childhood educators and quality child care to be in the workforce. This is why supporting and investing in child care and its early educators is essential.

On September 25th, thirty-two people attended the first of two Nebraska Child Care Tax Credit presentations in Albion. They learned about Nebraska tax credits that will not only benefit taxpayers, but also qualifying early childhood care providers. Discussion was also had regarding Legislative Bill 304 which makes permanent the current income eligibility requirements for child care assistance. This bill ensures that more working families can afford quality child care and stay in the workforce to strengthen Nebraska.

The second Nebraska Child Care Tax Credit presentation will be held on Thursday, October 16th from 5:30PM – 7:30PM at the Kramer Conference Center. A meal and child care will be provided. Registration is required. Please click the button to register!

Kate Wythers

Community Prevention Director

Halloween Safety Tips

October brings a new season as well as HALLOWEEN! Halloween is a beloved holiday for many, and it is important to celebrate Halloween safely. Following a few easy safety tips can ensure that children and parents can enjoy Halloween. For your child’s costume, ensure the costume is visible by adding reflective tape or using glow sticks when trick-or-treating at night. Choose a costume that fits well and is made from flame-resistant materials.

It is best practice to have an adult accompany children while they are trick-or-treating, especially if the child is under 12 years old. It is best to trick-or-treat in groups, with friends, in neighborhoods you are familiar with. Remind children to stay on the sidewalks and use crosswalks after looking both ways. Be sure to check the treats your child was given to ensure they are wrapped and safe for your child. Discard any unwrapped or suspicious treats. Check out your local Trunk-or-Treats, these provide a safe and controlled environment for children to celebrate Halloween.

Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference

On September 16th and 17th, nearly 500 people from across Nebraska and six other states attended the Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference and Communities for Kids Convening. Those 500 in attendance represented 70 of Nebraska’s 93 counties, including seven who represented Strong Starts Schuyler, Community & Family Partnership, and Columbus Area United Way.

These two days were filled with powerful firsthand insights, and inspiring success stories from both rural and urban communities that sparked ideas for our own community. Attendees heard game-changing strategies straight from early childhood and community development experts. Kim Parsons, Schuyler's early childhood community coordinator, was a speaker for the networking and breakout session: Strong Teams, Strong Partnerships: Engaging Diverse Stakeholders for Early Childhood Success.

We had our first training for the grant year for Cohort 2 with information about how to incorporate families into your program, which is such an important part of the relationships that are key in our providers’ work with children. One of the takeaways was that we need a partnership and understanding of each other’s cultures and dynamics. Such great discussion and problem solving and plans made for focusing on this important task in the programs.

RIR is going out to two Trick or Trunks this year for the first time and passing out "feeling" stress balls and magnets for parents with our information on it. Parents will also receive a page on how to help their children with feelings using the stress ball. We have signs, cut outs and matching attire for the events.

Our first round of Circle of Security in the classroom class was completed this month with 10 providers receiving their certificates. We are so proud of their commitment to this journey and all the wonderful things they bring to our community through their work each day.

“We Care” about Child Abuse and Neglect

The Department of Health and Human Services is spotlighting a new approach for reporting child abuse and neglect called “WE CARE.”

Nebraskans care about each other and for our children and their future. Every Nebraskan has a responsibility to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Any person who has reasonable cause to believe a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect is required to report their concerns to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline. Not every concern requires a report.

DHHS wants people to slow down, consider the whole picture and respond in a way that puts safety and family wellbeing first. Before making a report or deciding what action to take, think about the WE CARE approach.

W- Watch for well-being

E- Engage with empathy and curiosity

C- Consider the context and assumptions

A- Assess for danger and impact

R – Reflect on your responsibility to report

E – Empower with support

Another thing to remember is that a hard life is not the same as a dangerous one. Reports of child abuse and neglect can be phoned in at 1-800-652-1999 or neabusehotline-dhhs.ne.gov.

Watch Video Here

Ready to be a changemaker for families? Join the Bring Up Nebraska Network!

Bring Up Nebraska is a call to action to help families thrive and is supported by Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. Bring Up Nebraska is focused on prevention and strengthening families BEFORE crisis to empower them within their communities. It is about uniting those with shared agendas, implementing systems and providing evidence-based training to support meaningful opportunities and creating partnerships.

Helping families thrive and focusing on preventive efforts is a priority area of Community and Family Partnership and more voices are needed. The more people involved in the shared mission of improving the quality of life for young people and families, the more impact we can have. Let’s do this together. See more information in the flyer below or visit BringUpNebraska.org.