Early Childhood Event Builds Bilingual Partnerships between Providers and Families

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

On Saturday, April 24, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. the counties will hold back-to-back Zoom sessions, one in English and one in Spanish, to inspire conversations about the bi-lingual experience in childcare. The event, titled “Supporting Spanish Speakers in Early Childhood,” offers providers insight into Latinx cultures and invites Spanish-speaking families to better understand the requirements of the American educational system and to engage actively with the providers who care for their children. Read more about this event!

Sixpence Success Story: How Sixpence Laid the Groundwork for A Young Woman to Build Her Dreams

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Today, Daisy Ortiz has a story to tell. Daisy was raised in a loving, supportive family. As a teenager, she and her parents were committed to her pursuing a bright future. At 16, however, she encountered an earth-shattering surprise: she was pregnant. How did her resolve and Sixpence help her through this major life challenge? Read more in our blog, in Daisy’s words.

Beyond School Bells and Cardinal Community Learning Centers Grow the Good Life with GPA Outdoor Program

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

If you visit Crete Public Schools’ campus, you’ll notice a sense of life. Monarchs flitter through gardens. Heirloom vegetables thrive in the greenhouse. Cardinals return to roost in trees. This revitalization is no accident; it is the result of Cardinal Community Learning Centers’ (CCLC) outdoor education program. This lively scene is also proof that working together, as a community, we can turn old spaces into vibrant new ones while creating opportunity and abundance.

Beyond School Bells and Cardinal Community Learning Centers revitalize outdoor spaces and create quality learning opportunites, thanks to supporters like you. Read more.

Not Just Kid Stuff: Falls City Sixpence FALLS in Love with its Community and Helps the Whole Family Create Change!

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

If you’re ready for some good news and a new year, then Nebraska Children has a good one for you from Sixpence, one of the early childhood programs we oversee. Susan Johnson, a Family Educator and Director of Sixpence Falls City Public School has a terrific Sixpence success story! Read more to hear about how a young family overcame their housing and professionals challenges and went on to obtain some impressive goals.

Wonder Powers, ACTivate: Beyond School Bells, UNL Honors, and Partners Create Test Prep for Low-Income Students 

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

BSB and UNL design studios create ACTivate. ACTivate is a college-readiness progrma that pairs UNL Honors students with GIPS students. The program provides test-prep for lower-income youth and the support they need to feel college-ready.

2021 Youth Legislative Days Meets Virtually for Young Leaders to Make Their Voices Heard

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

This year’s Youth Legislative Days took place over Zoom. From Feb. 6-8, young people from all over Nebraska had the opportunity to make their voices heard, network, and learn about our legislative system. This year’s event featured a mix of young leaders from the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council (GYAC) as well as participants of Nebraska Children’s Connected Youth Initiative (CYI). Read more.

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation is Sub-recipient of “Support for Youth Victims of Human Trafficking in Nebraska” Grant

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Nebraska Children — 2 Comments

In October 2020, Nebraska Children was the sub-recipient of a $1.5 million three-year grant, “Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking” through the grantee, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

The grant is from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). The goal is to support the child and youth victims of sex and labor trafficking in Nebraska up to age 24 and employ evidence-based strategies from Nebraska Children’s Connected Youth Initiative’s (CYI) to support survivors including unconnected youth ages 14-25.  

Aftershock: Norfolk Public Schools’ Afterschool Program and Beyond School Bells Respond to the Community and Students’ Needs with a New Podcasting Club

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation is on board with purposeful afterschool programs like these. We are home to Beyond School Bells (BSB), a dedicated network of afterschool professionals who create, sustain, and enhance quality expanded learning programs, or ELOs.

Beyond School Bells is always glad to catch up with one of our partners and afterschool programs like Aftershock, which recently began a podcasting club. Say what you will about afterschool and summer programs, but they are anything but just babysitting. Here, kids build gumdrop towers, create robots, learn boradcasting and podcasting, and prepare for careers.

Beautiful Moments in Collaboration

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

You might say it started with a beautiful moment. Stephanni Renn, Vice President of Early Childhood/Sixpence Administrator at Nebraska Children and Families Foundation and Dr. Lisa Knoche, Rsearch Associate Professor and principal investigator of the Getting Ready Preschool Development Grant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools shared core principles of quality home visitation practices in a breakout room at October’s Nebraska Leadership Team meeting.

Afterschool IS Engagement: Beyond School Bells and UNL Honors Build a Dynamic K-16 Learning Pipeline

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

BSB and UNL Honors are partnering on two key initiatives. The first strand is that of the Registered Student Organizations, specifically the UNL Honors Afterschool Clubs, on UNL’s campus. These clubs offer students a paid opportunity to flex their experiential muscles and provide community support.

Beyond School Bells, Nebraska Children’s network of afterschool professionals, and UNL Honors are partnering to create Registered Student Organizations. Specifically the team is responsible for the UNL Honors Afterschool Clubs, on UNL’s campus. These clubs offer students a paid opportunity to flex their experiential muscles and provide community support. Read more to see how these clubs support our kids, community, and UNL students with everything from leadership to STEM to career prep.

Sixpence in Action: In Classes, Homes, and Hearts

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

For the past five years, Winnebago Public Schools has teamed up with Sixpence. And they have quite a bit of success to show for it. Whereas we don’t deny the difficulties our state and world have undergone, we find these struggles even more reason to celebrate the programs and people who are doing good. One of those programs is Sixpence, along with Winnebago Educare, in partnership Winnebago Public Schools. Today, we heard from Brittney Stansberry, the Educare Coordinator. She delivered some wonderful news about the ways Sixpence has helped her students.

Erik’s Story: How He Went from Uncertainty to a Natural Leader, Thanks to His Talents and Connected Youth Initiative

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

A talented person with a turbulent past, Erik participated in CYI’s LEAP strategy for college students who experienced foster care. Thanks to LEAP and your support, he now thrives. Read More.

What Has Four Corners and Can Change the Face of Nebraska Afterschool? Beyond School Bells Can Tell You

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Why is our guest blogger and Beyond School Bells’ Director of Partnerships, Anna Wishart, so excited for this winter? Read more to find out how Beyond School Bells, in their newest, high-tech initiative, is bringing sustainable agriculture to the next Nebraskan generation.

Braxton Crowder: A Driven Young Professional Who Went from Attending Afterschool Programs to Directing Many

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

As with many successful people, Braxton Crowder’s journey was neither straight nor smooth. Beyond School Bells is pleased to present this interview with Braxton, whose dedication to afterschool programs mirrors BSB’s mission to create and sustain them. Read how this driven young man’s resolve and support from an afterschool program changed his life and created a thriving career path.

Meet Lorena Mendez: A Sixpence Participant and Now, a Home Visitor! 

Posted on December 7, 2020 by Nebraska Children — 2 Comments

The wonderful thing about any person’s success is when she continues to create more positive outcomes for others. What we love about Sixpence success stories is how each of these participants has lived up to her fullest potential. We also love the…

Baby Steps in Early Childhood Collaboration

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

What do a Needs Assessment, a Zoom meeting, and developmental videos have in common? And, no, this is not the set up for a joke. The answer, collaboration. In a recent Preschool Development Grant Nebraska Leadership Team meeting, Buffett Early Childhood Institute consultant Hallie Duke designed breakout sessions for participants to spend a few minutes discussing the ways in which their aims aligned.

The New Nebraska: How Loup Valley Childhood Initiative Continues to Create Communities for Kids

Posted on November 24, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Long before COVID, Ord has proven to be a place of reinvention. Most recently, one of the town’s most pressing projects has been to address the childcare scarcity. Some of the women behind this effort are Loup Valley Childhood Initiative core leaders and Ord residents, Melani Flynn, Katie Walmsley, and Kristina Foth. Read more about how these women and their community work to create quality childcare.

Compassion Fatigue: It Happens to Everyone, So How Can We Bounce Back?

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Early childhood professionals are at risk for developing compassion fatigue due to the demanding nature of their everyday work which is now paired with the stress caused by the pandemic. Not only are early childhood professionals effected in their own lives by the threat of COVID, but they also must care for children and families experiencing a wide range of effects, such as lost jobs, unstable housing, or isolation from family and friends. If you or someone you know is suffering from compassion fatigue, here are some definitions and coping tips.

Tagged with: childcare, early childhood, mental health, Rooted in Relationships, self regulation
Posted in Early Childhood

Sixpence Strikes Again: Families Attend Strolling Thunder, Teen Parents Excel, and Children Thrive 

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Sixpence in Macy, Nebraska, and their community are a perfect example of a group of resilient people who pull together through the storm. The Shinga Zhinga Child Development Center serves the community. The Center is located on the UmonHon reservation and primarily serves teenage parents, community members, and high school staff members. Thanks to Sixpence, the program director Lacey Sateren, said she has witnessed remarkable developments throughout the past year, even during the height of the pandemic.  Read some incredible achievements thanks to resilient families, Umonhon Nation Public Schools and Sixpence!

You Are Not Alone: Dawson County’s Early Childhood Professional Learning Series Provides Reassurance and Resolve for Motivated Staff

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Many professionals, especially those who work in early childhood education and care, but also teachers of every age tend to shoulder a tremendous amount of responsibility. You walk into a classroom, make decisions, then hope that you did the right things. The truth is, no matter how skilled, every talented professional will occasionally feel alone or overwhelmed. These are the moments when the Early Childhood Professional Learning Series can help. Read more about early care providers Arlie Herrick and Dee Coble’s experiences in participating in the Series.

Rachel Pierce Attends Rooted in Relationships’ Training to Support the Next Generation of Thriving Children

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Nebraska childcare providers are making headlines. Today, we bring you a success story from Buffalo County’s Rooted in Relationships initiative and a provider named Rachel Pierce, the owner of Creative Kids Child Care. Today, Rachel will share the benefits and perks of being part of Rooted in Relationships (Rooted), which is one of the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation’s Early Childhood initiatives. 

Ripple Effect: Sixpence, Alliance Families, and Public Schools Create Positive Change

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Alliance, Nebraska’s Sixpence is glad to share a story of a young family’s success. The family started off dealing with some struggles. The father had grappled with a drug addiction, had been incarcerated, and had a child from a previous marriage with whom he’d not had a relationship during her early years. How did his strength, resiliency, resolve, and a little help from Sixpence support him in his positive transformation? Read more.

We All Thrive Together: Mary Jo Pankoke, First Lady Susanne Shore, and Partners Explain How You Bring Up Nebraska During the Pandemic

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Our first virtual event, “Thrive Together,” ended yesterday. While we’re sad that we couldn’t get together in person, we still raised more than $100,000 to support our mission and celebrate the communities we serve. Thrive Together isn’t just a fundraiser.…

Ready, Set, Rosie: Lexington’s Early Learning Academy is Off to the Races Building Family-School Partnerships

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

“I love it because I understand that Mateo will integrate quickly and his academic level will progress much more quickly,” one Spanish-speaking parent comments on Ready Rosie’s educational videos for families.

The former retail space that houses the Early Learning Academy (ELA) in Lexington, Nebraska, may seem like an unusual setting for innovation in early childhood education, but this preschool program that serves children 3 to 5 years old houses such proactive initiatives as an early intervention program for special needs students and a migrant community classroom to serve English language learners.

GetConnected 2020

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

COVID or not, this year’s GetConnected Conference participants’ engaged and enjoyed quality virtual time!

Building Communities of Hope: Casey Family Programs Recognizes “Bring Up Nebraska”

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

On January 15, 2020, Casey Family Programs, the largest private foundation whose aim is to minimize the need for foster care while creating communities of hope, awarded Bring Up Nebraska with the Jim Casey Building Communities of Hope Award.

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation is proud to lead this prevention partnership.

To the Moon: Beyond School Bells Teams Up with Partners to Enhance Girls’ Presence in STEM

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Starting from September 16, 2020, Beyond School Bells will partake in STEM Next and partners’ Million Girls Moonshot launch. As we prepare for lift-off, we feel it’s worth mentioning that we are thankful to STEM Next who awarded Beyond School Bells a year-long grant to lead the effort in Nebraska! Read more about how Beyond School Bells is preparing for lift-off!

A Young Mother, Fremont Public Schools, and Sixpence Make the Impossible POSSIBLE

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

our years ago, a frightened, pregnant 16-year-old walked through Fremont Sixpence’s doors. In addition to being scared, the young woman was disconnected from her relatives. Read about how this young mother's resolve and Fremont Sixpence helped her to push through difficulties and into her own triumphant light.

Four years ago, a frightened, pregnant 16-year-old walked through Fremont Sixpence’s doors. Lauren said that in addition to being scared, the young woman was disconnected from her relatives.

Read about how this young mother’s resolve and Fremont Sixpence helped her to push through difficulties and into her own triumphant light.

Sixpence Home Visits: A Columbus, Nebraska Family Shares Their Takeaways

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Most of us have probably sung the Song of Sixpence. It’s a strange little nursery rhyme, one with strikingly original opening lyrics we loved as children. Blackbirds fly out of a pie that is set before the king.

For a child to be heard and create his or her own melody in the world, we need to begin to support them early in life. From the ages of birth through three, a child’s brain is a fertile ground that establishes neural connections at a dizzying rate. Therefore, parents and caregivers can help set their children’s foundation up for the formation of these valuable connections. There are a few ways that Sixpence can help.

Read more to learn about Jamie Leach’s Sixpence takeaways.

Child-Care: Becca Paulsen Shares Her Vision of a Quality Provider

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Nebraska Children — 1 Comment

“When can you have a baby?”

This is the question that Becca Paulsen will ask her childcare provider when Becca is thinking about having a second child.

This leads us to our next question:
How do young parents find childcare in homey, comfortable, close-knit small towns?

Read on.

Out with Time-Out; In with Time-Ins: How the Grand Island YWCA Develops Healthy Social-Emotional Relationships

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Any well-meaning parent or caregiver may think that when they put a child in time out, the child’s negative reaction and acknowledgment of her misbehavior means she is well-aware of what she did wrong, has accepted her punishment, and has taken back her behavior. When lacking an alternative, we generally enact disciplinary measures that we have been raised with and know best, but Time-Outs aren’t always effective. As part of the Rooted, Jana and her team have attended trainings that teach them evidence-based, Pyramid Model strategies that help build relationships between the children and their caregivers while at the same time decreasing challenging behavior.

Early and New Beginnings: Boone County and C4K Break Ground for Boone Beginnings Early Childhood and Family Development Center

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

In 2015, when Boone County, Nebraska was considering plans to address their childcare shortage, Jay Wolf, and other Boone County Foundation Fund (BCFF) core team members, said, “We know we have a childcare shortage; we need solutions, but we’re not interested in building a center.”

Five years later, the team broke ground for Boone Beginnings, their early care center.

So, how did this happen? Read on.

The Teaching Tree and Rooted in Relationships Grant Early Childcare Wishes for a Thriving Center

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

It’s late in the afternoon. Naptime is over. A little boy is feeling angry because his friend took his favorite toy. His face reddens and twists. As he begins to whimper, his teacher takes him aside. He puffs and blows out an imaginary candle she’s holding. There are many other techniques that Stephanie Allen, the director of The Teaching Tree, her teachers, and Rooted coaches use for a thriving center! Read more.

Good Things Come in 5s: The Kellers Share Their Top Sixpence Home-Based Takeaways

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

There’s POWER in numbers, particularly when children are the ages of birth through 3. Today, we talked to the Kellers to hear all about how Sixpence Home Base and their home visitor have helped the family thrive during these important years and beyond!

Rooted in Relationships Team Releases Their Annual Report: What Did They Find Out?

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Some communities found great outcomes when they decided to implement Positive Solutions for Families, which empowers parents to implement Pyramid practices at home.

Nebraska Children’s Rooted in Relationships team recently released their annual statewide evaluation and provided data to communities participating in the initiative. The report contained some positive outcomes. Find out more!

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation: Also, a Foundation for Children’s Thriving Early Years

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

The first three years of a child’s life are rife with neural opportunity. Throughout this time, brain synapses grow and multiply to create a foundation that serves a child for life. One of the best preventative measures we can take is dedicating ourselves to the study and practices of infant and toddler mental health. Today, we’re going to walk you through its definition, initiatives, and resources.

Happy Campers: Camp Catch-Up’s Virtual Vibes Still Brings Socially Distanced Siblings Together

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Not even a pandemic could stop Camp Catch-Up! An annual event that reunites siblings who were separated by the foster care system, Camp Catch-Up Virtual Sibling Vibes was held this year on July 6 -10 via Zoom. All the children, youth, and counselors logged on – and then the games literally began! From Gaga ball to a talent show to storytelling, counselors and coordinators made sure that a good time was had by all. Read more.

Coming into Full Bloom: Cherry Park Creative Corner LLC’s Director, Shannon Crosby, Shares Sixpence CCP Takeaways

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Although life and the weather are ever-changing, quality childcare and education are a constant need. To do this, we need Early Childhood initiatives like Sixpence Child Care Partnerships (Sixpence CCP). Early care and education professionals have a short but crucial time to help young lives bloom. We and Sixpence CCP can help.  Read more about Shannon Crosby, the director of Cherry Park Creative Corner, LL, and her Sixpence Child Care Partnership.

Although life and the weather are ever-changing, quality childcare and education is a constant need. To do this, we need Early Childhood initiatives like Sixpence Child Care Partnerships (Sixpence CCP). Early care and education professionals have a short but crucial time to help young lives bloom. We and Sixpence CCP can help.  Read more about Shannon Crosby, the director of Cherry Park Creative Corner, LL, and her Sixpence Child Care Partnership.

The Teaching Tree: Sixpence CCP and Stephanie Allen Grow the Good Life for Toddlers

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

For a sapling to thrive and to grow into one of the majestic oaks we see today, first it must be rooted deeply within the ground. The same applies to children’s early years. Sixpence, one of our early childhood initiatives, focuses on setting infants and toddlers up for success during those first three years of their life.

Read our latest blog, which features an interview with Stephanie Allen, who tells us all about her takeaways from collaborating with Sixpence CCP.

Rewriting the Script: Mental Health Outreach Services Provide Support, Remove Stigmas and Take a Holistic Approach

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

We’re delighted to play a part in funding the Community and Family Partnership’s efforts, which speaks to our model of community well-being and larger statewide prevention initiative of which we are involved, Bring Up Nebraska. The new mental health outreach service, moreover, fits into our strategy of organizations working together to create the changes we wish to see. Read more.

Crossing Over: New Connected Youth Initiative GOALS Program Helps Create a Bridge Between Youth and Supports

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Imagine having experienced the foster care system. Maybe you connected with a family. Maybe you didn’t, and now you’re alone. You’re ready to live your best life, but are so focused on surviving, you’ve yet to approach thriving.

The Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, CYI, Central Plains Center for Services and The Sherwood Foundation have teamed up to create Granting Opportunities for Achievement and Lifelong Success (GOALS). This initiative supports young adults who are transitioning from extended foster care during and throughout the pandemic. Read more.

Quality Childcare Near You: Sixpence CCP Teams Up with Hastings Public Schools and Stoney’s Childcare Center

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Stoney Straatmann (above middle), a licensed childcare provider, talks about how Sixpence CCP has benefited her.

Today, we asked Stoney Straatmann, a licensed childcare provider and one of Sixpence Child Care Partnership Programs (Sixpence CCP) from Hastings, Nebraska to talk about her experiences and benefits of the partnership. Before we speak with Stoney, we’d like to explain how Sixpence and its Child Care Partnerships work together.

Hand-Me-Downs: Mothers, Daughters, and Mentors Share Their Vision for the Next Generation of Childcare Professionals

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

What do I do if a parent’s check bounces? How do I handle temper tantrums? How do I keep the children in my care safe and healthy during the pandemic? How do I create a budget? What are my main expenses? How do I self-care? Why won’t toddlers put their shoes on without throwing a fit? How do I know if I am the right person for this field? Who do I talk to when I’m confused, stressed, or wish to learn about other professional opportunities? The Dawson County Early Childhood Professional Learning Series has answers.

Tagged with: communities for kids, early childhood, early childhood education, early years
Posted in Uncategorized

The Giving Community: Nebraska Children Joins Fremont’s COVID-19 Task Force

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Picture a rainy, cloudy day. The sky is a pale gray. Torrents pelt down like ball peen hammers. Suddenly, a man twirling fire walks through the rain, then a clown parades through the puddles. A line of cars slowly forms to watch the performance. This is not a dreamscape; this is the positive change that we envision at Nebraska Children, of which we’re delighted to take part. Read more.

Tagged with: Bring Up Nebraska, community collaboratives, community prevention system, community response
Posted in Uncategorized

Early Childhood Development is a Home Run: Cassie and Taylor Boyle Share their Sixpence Home-Based Experience

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

We recently spoke with Cassie and Taylor Boyle of Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Cassie and Taylor are the parents of four children. Cassie explained some of the key benefits, resources, and takeaways she and her family have experienced from participating in the Sixpence Home-Based program.

Brainchildren: McCook Communities for Kids’ Meeting-of-the-Minds Increases Childcare and Community

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Nebraska Children — 1 Comment

When childcare’s future looks cloudy, McCook’s Communities for Kids brainstorms and creates a silver lining by collecting families’ responses through an in-depth survey and creating a childcare incentives program! Read about how the team forged quality care incentives to improve the presence of their community’s childcare programs and providers.

Good Things Come in Threes: Communities for Kids and Partners Enact Three-Phase Approach for Early Childhood Programs and Providers

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

Columbus' Communities for Kids, the Community and Family Partnership, Columbus Public Schools, and other partners stand at attention, ready to hand out essential items.

Communities for Kids, one of Nebraska Children’s Early Childhood initiatives, has been hard at work. As one of our programs designed to support children during their early years and their caregivers, we believe that change begins at the community level – and it did in Columbus, Nebraska. Read more about Columbus’ three-phase approach to assisting their local childcare providers.

Tagged with: columbus, communities for kids, coronavirus, early childhood, early childhood education
Posted in Early Childhood, News and Events

Zeny: A Young Woman with an Incredible Work Ethic, Meets Her Goals and Says, “I Can’t Wait to Give Back One Day”

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

When Zeny and her husband moved from the small town of Hastings, Nebraska to Lincoln, she had to begin all over again. For anyone who has encountered not only a new chapter in life, but a new library, that transition can be scary, exciting, and abrupt. One CYI component that helped Zeny along her way was Opportunity Passport™, which is implemented in Lincoln by Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders County. Read more about Zeny’s accomplishments.

Virusbusters: Lisa Topf Talks about Early Care Provider’s Struggles at the Frontlines of COVID-19

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Nebraska Children — 1 Comment

We are grateful to Lisa, a Sioux City, Nebraska early care specialist, for sharing her experience at Cubby Care Campus, an early childhood center that’s situated in a growing hotbed of COVID-19, or what Lisa calls The Villain Virus. From here on, Lisa will discuss her experience, in her own words.

Tagged with: early childhood, early childhood education, early years, Rooted in Relationships
Posted in Early Childhood, News and Events

Tips for Early Care Providers, Educators, and Programs

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Nebraska Children — Leave a comment

To ensure our safety and well-being for our next generation, the NAIMH (Nebraska Association for Infant Mental Health) has leveraged various recent sources to put together a series best practices for early care providers and educators so that our children and we can adjust to some significant changes.

To ensure our safety and well-being not only as a community, but also for our next generation, the NAIMH, has leveraged various recent sources to put together a series best practices for early care providers and educators so that we and our children can adjust to some major changes.