Our efforts began as a recognition of gaps in the Nebraska early childhood landscape and in a collaborative effort to partner with communities to create positive changes that address those gaps and to enhance the existing strengths of the system. The organizations and initiatives involved seek to work with families and communities to build a more cohesive high quality early childhood care and education system.
Vision: A system where community leaders are working together to provide opportunities for high-quality early care and education starting at birth, and in coordination with the full suite of health, mental health, and social service supports that families may need.
Goal: Nebraska’s goal in the Preschool Development Grant is to align state systems so they better equip local communities to deliver services that result in parents and families choosing options which support their child’s healthy development.
History
In 2018, the National Administration for Children and Families awarded a Preschool Development Birth to Five Initial Grant to Nebraska. Funds were used to:
- Conduct a statewide needs assessment to understand existing strengths in the early childhood system and gaps requiring attention.
- Create a strategic plan that would build on strengths and address gaps om the early childhood care and education system.
In 2020, Nebraska was awarded a further $8.9 million Preschool Development Renewal Grant Birth to Five Years, renewable upon approval for up to three years. Funds were distributed as shown in the figure below:
Year 1: The initial year of the renewal grant saw contributing partners pledge $2.7M in matching funds to the existing federal funds to use toward 24 projects in the following areas:
- The continued development and revision of the Statewide Needs Assessment Plan.
- An expansion and revision of the Statewide Strategic Plan and the implementation of strategies developed within the initial plan.
- The improvement of existing programs and development of new systems that maximize parental choice and knowledge.
- The improvement of overall quality and service integration; expansion of access and development of new programs; and a focus on monitoring, evaluation, and data use for continuous improvement
- The building of a meaningful and cohesive governance system and promotion of stakeholder engagement.
Year 2: The second year of the renewal grant has seen the addition of 5 new projects for a total of 29 funded initiatives, including:
- An increased focus on Race and Equity.
- An effort to involve families representative of all areas of Nebraska and inclusive of the state's diverse communities.
- An effort to make Important connections in the field of infant mental health.
- An increase in the ability to connect families with high quality childcare providers in the areas in which the families reside.
Year 3: The third year of the renewal grant has seen continued work in existing initiatives and the development of several impactful programs for families and early childhood professionals.
- Nebraska's first Family Engagement Conference for the families of young chil dren.
- First National Association for Infant Mental Health endorsements.
- Revised families guide-- Child Care Essentials: Choosing Quality Child Care in Nebraska.
- Continued effort to address race/equity through SPEAQ Up! events and Strategic Plan revision.
- Family Engagement through We Care for Kids Campaign.
- Development of test database for Early Childhood Information Data System (ECIDS).
The Preschool Development Grant in Nebraska brings together a wide range of partners who share a commitment to young children and their families. From the earliest months of infancy through the preschool years, the initiative focuses on building a more connected system of care, education, and family support. By aligning efforts across communities, the grant helps ensure that families can find quality services close to home, no matter where they live in the state. This shared vision guides the work of the organizations involved and shapes the strategies they pursue together.
At its heart, the grant is about recognizing both the strengths and the gaps that exist within Nebraska's early childhood landscape. Communities bring valuable knowledge about the children and families they serve, and collaborative partnerships help turn that understanding into meaningful action. By working alongside local leaders, early childhood professionals, and family advocates, the initiative supports approaches that reflect the unique needs of each region. The goal is not to replace what already works, but to strengthen and connect existing resources so that more children benefit from coordinated, high-quality experiences during their earliest years.
Quality is a guiding principle across every aspect of the Preschool Development Grant. Efforts are shaped around promoting safe, supportive learning environments where children can grow, explore, and thrive. Professional development for educators and care providers is a central focus, helping to expand knowledge of child development, effective teaching practices, and responsive relationships. When adults who work with young children are well prepared and well supported, the benefits extend to families and entire communities. The grant encourages ongoing learning and reflection so that quality continues to deepen over time, building a stronger foundation for the children of Nebraska.
Equity and access are central to the initiative's long-term vision. The grant works to ensure that all families, regardless of background or geography, can connect with early childhood services that respect their language, culture, and community. This includes attention to the needs of Native communities, immigrant families, and others whose voices have often been underrepresented in planning conversations. By centering equity, the initiative seeks to remove barriers that have limited opportunity in the past. Community engagement and shared leadership help guide decisions so that solutions are informed by those most affected and that progress is measured in ways that matter to families.
Data, evaluation, and continuous improvement play an important role in the work of the Preschool Development Grant. By gathering information about how families use services, how programs operate, and how children are progressing, partners can make informed decisions about where to focus future efforts. This knowledge helps identify what is working well and where additional support is needed. Sharing findings across the early childhood community encourages transparency and collaboration, allowing successes to be expanded and challenges to be addressed together. Through this cycle of learning and improvement, the grant aims to build a more responsive and resilient system for young children and their families throughout Nebraska.
