Early Futures Partnership

06/11/2026

6 Regions, One Nebraska was built on the understanding that lasting economic development must be community-directed and rooted in local data and insight—a philosophy that also drives the work of Early Futures Partnership and its founding initiatives, Communities for Kids and First Five Nebraska.

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐚: 6 Regions, One Nebraska and Early Futures Partnership are bringing business leaders, early childhood educators, public officials and other stakeholders together to build community-led solutions for our state's childcare shortage.

From two projects underway—one to expand rural family home childcare in 25 counties and another to add 25 new or expanded family home providers in the Panhandle—to hosting community listening sessions in Nebraska City, Hebron, York, and Falls City, change is happening.

Read our blog post to see how Nebraska is gaining traction for meaningful, cross-sector solutions: https://firstfivenebraska.org/blog/6-regions-one-nebraska-drive-child-care-change/

06/01/2026

The Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference is Nebraska's premier, cross-sector event focused in building a stronger early childhood system. Learn more about the conference on this recent podcast from Early Futures Partnership's Rachel Sissel and Nebraska Public Power District's Sara Groteluschen.

What do Nebraska Public Power District and Communities for Kids have in common?

They know that investing in young children is an investment in thriving communities.

Catch the Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference on the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast this week!

Communities for Kids' Rachel Sissel and Nebraska Public Power District's Sara Groteluschen discuss how investing in child care and young children strengthens local economies, supports businesses, and helps communities thrive.

As host Sheila Jenkins puts it:

"When I am touring these small towns, I always want to know: what do they have for housing and what do they have for child care? Because those are indicators of a thriving community."

🎧 Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1qZj6bKWsq0uyZHzaazfcU?si=e9f3f472919a4131

📅 Learn more about the conference and register for this free event on September 22:
https://thrivingchildrenconference.vfairs.com/

05/29/2026

To everyone who gave, shared and cheered us on during our first-ever Give to Lincoln Day campaign—thank you. Your support is powering urgent, strategic work to strengthen the early care, education and healthy development of Nebraska's youngest children. We're grateful to have you alongside us.

Stay current with the work your support makes possible. Follow Communities for Kids and First Five Nebraska on social media and sign up for our newsletters at https://www.earlyfutures.org/ .

05/29/2026

FFN Strategic Partnerships Advisor Mike Feeken took part in a community conversation in South Sioux City last week on the vital role childcare plays in building a strong, thriving local economy. Strategic investments in childcare and early childhood education directly impact economic development in rural Nebraska communities.

05/27/2026

Give to Lincoln Day (May 28) is upon us. Now is the time to join us and our founding initiatives (Communities for Kids and First Five Nebraska) in taking the next step on our journey to build the systems and supports that will give our youngest kids the start they need and deserve.

Your gift matters. Let's move forward together. https://givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/early-futures-partnership

05/22/2026

1,166 new child care spots means 1,166 more opportunities for Nebraska parents to get to their jobs, knowing their kids are in good hands. That's the result of communities across Nebraska working alongside Early Futures Partnership's Communities for Kids initiative. Together, we're making the most of local resources and relationships—and putting homegrown solutions into practice.

Between now and May 28, you can support our efforts to help Nebraska families find child care that works for them. Every gift to Early Futures' Give to Lincoln Day campaign is proportionally matched, so your contribution goes even further: https://givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/early-futures-partnership

05/22/2026

FFN's Elizabeth Everett and Chris Triebsch are in Washington, D.C., this week to team up with the First Five Years Fund and leaders from other states to drive early childhood policy forward and to connect with congressional staff.

Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer spoke yesterday, highlighting how vital childcare is for growing our workforce. She also spoke about her bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act, which expands childcare access for working families. Thank you to Senator Fischer for her leadership and for being a true champion for kids and families!

05/19/2026

As initiatives of Early Futures Partnership, First Five Nebraska and Communities for Kids advocate for policies that put meaningful relief within the reach of the families, programs and professionals who need it most. That's what happens when a deep knowledge of communities' early childhood needs informs determined policy action.

This Give to Lincoln Day, support the work that's moving the needle on the early childhood issues that affect Nebraskans in every part of the state. Your gift between now and May 28 unlocks a share of a $650,000 match fund and identifies you as a Founding Donor to Early Futures Partnership: https://givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/early-futures-partnership

05/19/2026

05/15/2026

Cancelling your registration will remove your access to the event. If you proceed, you will no longer be able to participate or access event-related materials.