Early Futures Partnership

10/06/2026

The Buffett Early Childhood Fund (BECF) has long invested in early childhood practice, policy and science—with a focus on creating lasting change for children and families.

In a recent Q&A with the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, BECF President Jessie Rasmussen touches on how that vision helped shape Early Futures Partnership's Communities for Kids (C4K) initiative. After Nebraska communities began seeking help with child care challenges, BECF helped launch an approach that now reaches 100 C4K partner communities statewide, empowering them to identify and own the solutions that best fit their unique needs.

We're grateful for the longstanding vision and support that have made this community-driven approach possible, and offer our congratulations to the Center on the Developing Child for 20 years of early childhood leadership. Read the full Q&A here:

Read this Q&A on how science has helped build the case for investing in the earliest years—and how the field can drive further progress for young children and caregivers.

10/01/2026

This week, Early Futures Partnership submitted a letter on behalf of 15 Nebraska organizations to our state's federal delegates expressing our deep concerns with the proposed overhaul of Head Start.

While we support streamlining efforts in principle, these changes would remove many of the federal standards that enable Head Start to deliver high-quality services consistently and effectively. We're asking our delegates to take these considerations into account because of the potential impact on over 5,000 children served by Head Start in Nebraska.

Read the letter on the Early Futures website and learn how to submit your own comment about the rule change before the public input deadline at midnight on October 5: https://www.earlyfutures.org/administrative-policy-ffn

09/24/2026

The ninth annual Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference in Kearney, Nebraska, is now in the books—and it’s an achievement worth celebrating! Nearly 500 participants—including early childhood professionals, researchers, business and community leaders, and policymakers—came together to share information, exchange ideas and build connections around a common goal: strengthening opportunities and outcomes for our youngest children, their families and hometowns.

Early Futures Partnership was proud to be closely involved in planning, sponsoring, staffing and presenting at this year’s gathering. We’re grateful to everyone who contributed their expertise, energy and perspective—and especially to the participants who showed up ready to learn, connect and turn inspiration into action in their own communities and throughout Nebraska.

We’re looking forward to what we can accomplish together!

09/23/2026

Early Futures Partnership today submitted a comment in opposition to changes proposed for the federal Head Start program. Head Start provides high-quality early learning that benefits children nationwide—including 5,400 Nebraska children. The proposal introduces vulnerabilities that threaten this proven model and its ability to serve families regardless of income or where they live.

Take Action: We urge Head Start families, providers, supporters and community partners to review the proposal, read our submission in our blog post and submit a public comment opposing the changes before the October 6 deadline.

Read our comment letter:

Early Futures Partnership submitted this comment today on the Administration’s proposed changes to Head Start. We urge Nebraskans to learn more about the proposal and submit their own comment in opposition before the October 6 deadline. Learn more about the proposed changes to Head Start&

09/16/2026

Early Futures Partnership is the organizational home of two long-standing initiatives, Communities for Kids and First Five Nebraska, working alongside one another to advance early childhood in Nebraska.

Early Futures Partnership is an Executive Sponsor of this year’s Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference. Learn more about our organizational home: https://www.earlyfutures.org/about

Will we see you at this year’s Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference? If so, hit the “like” button!

09/16/2026

Across the country, more than 700,000 children—including 5,000 in Nebraska—attend Head Start. It’s critical that these young children continue to receive the same standard of Head Start services regardless of their socioeconomic status or where they live.

As federal officials consider changes to Head Start rules, now is the time to speak up. It’s important that federal officials hear from as many people as possible before October 6. We strongly encourage families, providers, supporters, community organizations and concerned
citizens to submit a public comment opposing the changes.

Find additional resources and learn how to make a comment at this link: Federal Officials Announce Proposed Changes to Head Start: loom.ly/uDGumx8

Click here to submit your comment at the Federal Register: Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs: loom.ly/E3CVxlg

09/14/2026

One of our favorite aspects of the Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference is the ability to hear directly from Nebraska policymakers

Nebraska state senators Mike Jacobsen (District 42), Jana Hughes (District 24) and Dan Quick (District 35) will discuss policy and the state's role in supporting children and families. The panel will be moderated by Senator Jason Prokop (District 27).

Today is your FINAL DAY to register for this year’s conference. Learn more and get signed up: https://thrivingchildrenconference.vfairs.com/

09/11/2026

Good data drives good policy. When it comes to making informed decisions about early childhood, policymakers and advocates need to understand both current conditions and historical trends—and statewide data is only part of the story.

That’s why First Five Nebraska created an interactive map and district-specific data sheets featuring key early childhood measures, including median childcare costs, childcare program trends, birthing hospitals, demographics and more.

✔️ Explore the interactive map to visualize demographic patterns across Nebraska’s legislative districts
✔️ Find your district’s data sheet by selecting a district on the map and following the link in the pop-up.
✔️ Explore the data. Understand your community. Inform better policy.

We invite policymakers, advocates, community leaders and Nebraskans across the state to use these resources to better understand the needs of local families—and help ensure policy decisions are informed by the data.

See the map and legislative district data sheets: https://www.earlyfutures.org/legdistrict-dashboard

09/09/2026

Child care makes much of Nebraska’s daily life and economy possible. It allows parents to go to work, gives children a safe place to learn and grow, helps employers attract and retain workers, supports communities, and provides the foundation families need to build their lives here.

When child care works, the benefits extend far beyond an individual family. And when child care is unavailable, unaffordable, or unsustainable, the effects are also felt by employers, communities, child care providers, and Nebraska’s economy. Child care is economic infrastructure, like schools, roads, and hospitals.

09/04/2026

Nebraska's early childhood challenges affect us all—and solving them will take all of us, too. In her Nebraska Examiner commentary, Nebraska Public Power District's Sara Groteluschen makes the case for energetic, cross-sector collaboration and explains why working together is key to creating lasting solutions.

The Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference on September 22 is a great opportunity to connect, share ideas and work toward solutions that make a lasting difference for Nebraska. Read Sara's commentary and register for the Thriving Conference today!

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/09/03/opinion-in-tackling-the-childcare-challenge-nebraskas-advantage-is-working-together/

"Communities need families who can build their lives here. Employers need a reliable workforce. And Nebraska needs communities that are prepared to grow and compete," Sara Groteluschen writes.