Advancing Early Childhood

"Investing in disadvantaged young children [...] is a rare public policy initiative that promotes fairness and social justice and, at the same time, [...] productivity in the economy and in society."

-Dr. James Heckman, Professor of Economics, University of Chicago, 2000 Nobel laureate in Economics

Legislative Agenda

The first five years are years of incredible promise, and considerable risk. Like never before, Nebraska has the opportunity to shape public policy around what we know truly works. The following bills are the focus of our 2011 Legislative Agenda.

LB 464
As originally introduced, would have permanently removed minimum reimbursement rates for providers taking the child care subsidy. This bill would have inadvertently made it more difficult for providers to care for children most at risk in Nebraska.

As amended, LB 464 temporarily ensures rates to child care providers accepting the child care subsidy will not drop below the 50th percentile, and continues the current practice of setting publically funded child care payment rates based on the results of the most recent Market Rate Survey.

LB 601
Maximizes state general funds by introducing a child development standard into publically funded child care. This bill incentivizes higher quality environments for Nebraska’s children at-risk.

LB 333
In an effort to maintain investments in the first five years, this bill temporarily funds the NDE early childhood education grant program with lottery funds.

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation 215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68508 P: 402.476.9401 F: 402.476.9486