First Five Nebraska

Several state senators accompanied Governor Jim Pillen for the ceremonial signing of , which eliminates a sunset date for expanded eligibility for federal childcare assistance.

"Pillen and State Senator Wendy DeBoer, a Democrat, and Brad von Gillern for Nebraska, a Republican, all highlighted the importance of bipartisan cooperation on bills that will benefit children."

“ 'We can’t talk enough about these little folks, our future, and how important it is that we have great care for them, no matter what the set of circumstances are,' Pillen said."

https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraska-governor-lawmakers-celebrate-permanent-extension-of-childcare-subsidy-eligibility.

Governor Pillen, state senators, community members and kids gathered yesterday for the LB304 signing ceremony at Kids Can Community Center in Omaha.

"Being moms and dads takes a lot, but sometimes moms and dads need some help. So for me, this was a no-brainer," Pillen said. LB304 permanently raises the income eligibility to receive childcare assistance, which means thousands of parents will be able to access assistance so they can work knowing their children are in a safe place.

"So many Nebraskans are touched by the issue of childcare, and it's a way to really help make lives better," said State Senator Wendy DeBoer who sponsored and prioritized LB304.

Thank you KETV NewsWatch 7 for covering yesterday's event!
Governor Jim Pillen Senator Wendy DeBoer Brad von Gillern for Nebraska

Income eligibility for child care subsidies permanently raised Thousands of Nebraska families will continue to have access to the child care subsidy. Gov. Jim Pillen ceremoniously signed LB 304 Tuesday. The bill keeps the eligible income level to receive child care assistance set at 185% above the federal poverty level.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻, for formally signing this afternoon in Omaha! Passed during this year's legislative session, LB304 maintains the current income threshold for childcare assistance, ensuring that thousands of Nebraskans will be eligible for the vital support they need to participate in the workforce.
🔷 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗕𝗼𝗲𝗿—we are incredibly grateful to you for introducing and championing LB304!
🔷 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 who voted to support Nebraska’s working parents and give our youngest children the strong start they deserve.
🔷 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮 who spoke up—your voices truly made a difference!
🔷 Finally, a special 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 for hosting the signing ceremony!
Governor Jim Pillen Senator Wendy DeBoer Kids Can Community Center

𝗙𝗙𝗡 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: How much does childcare really cost in Nebraska? It’s complicated, and more than most families can afford. And it isn't just a family issue, it's an economic one costing Nebraska more that $1.7 billion in lost business output every year.

That’s why FFN launched the Nebraska Child Care Affordability Calculator today. This new interactive tool lets you plug in real-world data—like where you live, income, family size, childcare type, housing, food, healthcare and more—to see the exact financial pressures facing working parents.

Highlighting these pressures can help guide policy decisions that shape the future of our workforce, economy and families.

Learn more about the calculator and try it out: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/06/15/opinion-rising-childcare-costs-strain-nebraska-family-budgets-reduce-business-output/

OPINION: Rising childcare costs strain Nebraska family budgets, reduce business output • Nebraska Examiner For many Nebraska families, childcare is not affordable. A new calculator created by First Five Nebraska illustrates those costs.

Early Futures Partnership and our early childhood community partners submitted a letter opposing a proposed rule change that would rescind 2024 Head Start teacher wage regulations and employment benefits.

The regulations require that Head Start salaries reach public pre-K levels or 90% of kindergarten teacher pay by 2031. Access to health insurance is among the employment benefits that would be rolled back.

The proposed changes are occurring at a particularly destabilizing moment for the childcare sector nationwide. Rolling back workforce compensation and benefits will only deepen these challenges.

Read the proposed rule changes: https://loom.ly/JbGpqbI
Read our letter opposing the changes: https://loom.ly/rj6qaNA

Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties Connected Roots Care Center - CRCC Kids Can Community Center Lincoln Littles Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative

Applications for the 2026-27 Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy close today! We hope you'll apply for this challenging and rewarding experience that prepares advocates to influence local and state policy affecting the care, education and healthy development of Nebraska's youngest children.

Learn more and access an application here: http://firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla

Registration is now open for the 2026 Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference!

This conference has become one of Nebraska’s go-to gatherings for conversations about children, families, workforce, education, and thriving communities.

Also: where else can you find early childhood leaders, business professionals, nonprofit teams, researchers, and economic developers all in the same room talking about solutions together?

📍 Kearney, Nebraska
📅 Sept. 22, 2026
💰 Free to attend

Register here: https://thrivingchildrenconference.vfairs.com/