Communities for Kids (C4K) partners with communities to support and coordinate planning for access to high-quality early care and education for all children birth through age five. These partnerships are designed to build up the early childhood workforce when necessary, or elevate the existing one. C4K works with the community to create their own local networks, to facilitate communications between local systems and statewide organizations, and to prioritize the unique needs of a community through a customized action plan.
C4K currently works within 34 communities across Nebraska and continues to build a roster of Early Childhood Community Coordinators who work within the local areas to address the specific needs of providers and families. Resources offered by C4K include:
- Community Coordinators--The Preschool Development Grant helps fund coordinators to work with local communities on infrastructure, training, and childcare development.
- Quality and Capacity Building--PDG funds materials and activities that promote quality early childhood practices and expands childcare capacity.
- Early Learning Scholarships--Because childcare subsidies don't always meet a family's need, early learning scholarships are designed to close the gap for families who don't qualify for subsidies but who are not able to afford quality care.
- Bilingual Childcare Support Initiative--Provides support for Spanish-speaking providers, whether licensed or not, to receive training and resources in their native language.
Contact: Marti Beard
