Nebraska Children and Families Foundation

09/03/2026

We're Hiring: Senior Researcher, Education

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation is looking for a Senior Researcher, Education to help lead the way on a statewide literacy initiative!

You'll play a key role in our U.S. Dept. of Education grant, helping scale Nebraska Growing Readers Plus — a research-backed book-distribution and family/teacher literacy program reaching communities across Nebraska.

👉 Apply now: https://bit.ly/3JRTAPv

09/02/2026

Six years of showing up, giving back, and making an impact! Lisa, Caleb, and Quinten — the relationships built with our campers over the years are truly priceless. Thank you for being the kind of adults these kids can count on. 🏅

Our staff are the heart of everything we do at Camp Catch-Up. The connections they build with campers year after year are what this program is all about. We are very grateful for their commitment.

Inspired by these amazing volunteers? We’d love to have you on our Camp Catch-Up staff team! Learn more at campcatchup.org/volunteer.html

09/01/2026

September is School Attendance Awareness Month in Nebraska!

Governor Pillen has proclaimed September 2026 as School Attendance Awareness Month, and today our own Joe DiCostanzo shared powerful remarks on why this matters.

Chronic absenteeism is one of the biggest barriers to student success — every missed day means lost learning, lost connections, and lost opportunity. But the good news? Attendance isn't just a school problem to solve alone. It takes all of us:
✅ Parents & guardians setting the tone at home
✅ Employers offering flexibility for working families to prioritize school
✅ Healthcare providers keeping kids healthy and ready to learn
✅ Community leaders reinforcing that attendance matters
✅ Students understanding that showing up is the foundation of their future

Networks like Bring Up Nebraska are leading the charge on making this a shared priority statewide. And representing the cross-sector membership of Bring Up Nebraska at the ceremony were Franck Toe, parent advocate; Sophia Yelkin, Nebraska Children; Kristen Derr, Lancaster Connected; Zainab Rida, Nebraska Department of Education; and Erin Wasserburger, Nebraska Crime Commission.

This month, ask yourself: What can I do to support student attendance in my community?
A strong education starts with showing up. Let's show up for Nebraska's students.

09/01/2026

We're Hiring: Lead Early Childhood, Nebraska Growing Readers

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation is looking for a Lead Early Childhood, Nebraska Growing Readers to help strengthen literacy support for Nebraska's youngest learners — birth through age three!

You'll guide Sixpence grantees and community partners statewide, driving the early literacy and vocabulary work behind our Nebraska Growing Readers program.

👉 Apply now: https://bit.ly/3JRTAPv

09/01/2026

Research shows that consistent, caring male role models make a difference in the lives of youth — and these guys bring that every single day at camp. From leading activities to showing up with encouragement and heart, our male staff are an essential part of what makes Camp Catch-Up so special for our campers and sibling families.

Are you a guy who loves working with kids and making a difference? We would love to have you on our team! Male counselors are always needed and always valued here.

08/28/2026

This week, members of our Early Childhood team joined the launch of Child Care Can. This campaign is building public support for practical policy solutions to expand access to affordable, quality child care for Nebraska families.

Nebraska Children is proud to be part of this effort, with our Executive VP, Josh Cramer, serving on the Steering Committee.

Visit ChildCareCan.org to learn more and get involved.

08/28/2026

The Midwest Pyramid Model Summit is where systems-level change is born. This event will show you how to embed the Pyramid Model framework across early childhood sectors in ways that are scalable, sustainable, and built for impact.

Discover how this proven, evidence-based approach can strengthen social and emotional development, promote positive behavior, and be successfully adapted across different kinds of early childhood settings.

Learn more and register today at https://web.cvent.com/event/65e4ad3f-f185-4fb7-a709-cf5cc5a3c4f8/summary

November 18-19, 2026
Coralville, Iowa

🗓️ Build Your Schedule. Leave with Solutions.

The Midwest Pyramid Model Summit (Coralville, November 18 & 19, 2026) is more than a conference—it's a chance to fill your toolbox with practical strategies you can put into action right away.

Visit: https://web.cvent.com/event/65e4ad3f-f185-4fb7-a709-cf5cc5a3c4f8/summary for conference information such as schedule, travel information, and registration links.

As you explore the session schedule, think about your goals for your program, team, or classroom. Whether you're looking for new ideas to support social-emotional development, strengthen family partnerships, improve implementation, or enhance coaching and leadership practices, there's a session designed to help.

✨ Attend sessions that match your experience level.
✨ Learn from successful programs across the Midwest.
✨ Gather resources, tools, and approaches you can use immediately.
✨ Connect with colleagues facing similar challenges and opportunities.

The best part? You'll leave with more than notes—you'll leave with actionable strategies, fresh perspectives, and a plan for bringing your learning back to your program.

📖 Review the schedule, choose your sessions thoughtfully, and get ready to turn learning into action!