Rooted Year in Review: Building Stronger Foundations for Nebraska’s Youngest Learners

What happens when childcare providers receive the right support at the right time?

Teresa Dressman, a family childcare provider in Superior, was ready to walk away from her career—overwhelmed and uncertain. Today, she’s mentoring others, presenting at conferences, and empowering families with newfound confidence.

Cooper’s family feared their bright, energetic child would be labeled “the bad kid” and expelled from childcare programs. Instead, his provider became his rock, giving him the tools to thrive from preschool through first grade.

These aren’t isolated success stories—they’re the result of statewide progress.

Inside the 2025 Annual Report, discover how our Rooted in Relationships initiative:

• Supported 195 childcare providers across 43 counties
• Helped 93% of programs avoid expulsions, breaking the cycle that pushes vulnerable children out of care
• Reached nearly 5,000 children and 4,000 families through direct services and community events
• Increased provider confidence dramatically—100% of Year 2 providers now report using key strategies to prevent challenging behaviors
• Built Nebraska’s infant mental health workforce with 15 new professionals endorsed and 42 new Pyramid Model trainers

From family fun nights in North Omaha to groundbreaking partnerships with ZERO TO THREE, from a family childcare home in Columbus to statewide policy work—this year proved that relationships are the foundation everything else is built on.

“This report demonstrates that when we invest in relationships—between providers and children, families and communities, systems and partners we create lasting change,” said Sami Bradley, Vice President of Early Childhood Mental Health at Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. “We’re proud of the work we have done for the last ten years to build a foundation of support that will continue to enhance the well-being of Nebraska’s youngest children and their families for years to come.”

Ready to see the full impact? Dive into the complete Rooted in Relationships 2025 Annual Report to explore the data, read more inspiring stories from the field, and discover how communities across Nebraska are transforming early childhood mental health—one relationship at a time.

About Nebraska Children

Nebraska Children’s mission is to create positive change for Nebraska’s children through community engagement.