Strategies to collaboratively sustain the ongoing operations of early childhood programs. This includes gaining a clear understanding of the true cost of care and leveraging that knowledge to identify and secure creative funding sources. Examples include Early Childhood Tuition Assistance Programs, Professional Development Scholarships, and community funding pools designed to address the high costs of infant care or to subsidize non-traditional hours of care. Additionally, explore resources beyond traditional fundraising efforts, such as Nebraska state tax contributions, KENO Funds, LB840 and other subsidy options that can help cover expenses like rent, utilities, and food. Emphasizing innovative and diverse funding solutions will strengthen program sustainability.
Rallying around a shared community vision is critical to the success of any effort… especially increasing access to quality, affordable early childhood education. Hear how other Nebraska communities are convening residents to dream about the future and creating a more holistic picture of what progress and prosperity mean in their place. We'll share some tips, tricks, dos and don'ts for hosting these important conversations and building community wide consensus that will propel your ability to get stuff done!
The work of building early childhood capacity is a wide-reaching adaptive challenge in every community. Communities must come together across sectors, groups, and organizations to utilize limited resources. How do we pull all these systems together for the benefit of our children and families? This session will pair an interactive group activity with tangible takeaways for community members on advocating with school, city, and state leaders to build coalitions of support for the work of early childhood. The session will be an interactive, all group activity, followed by a debrief and some takeaway strategies.
Explore the power of personal storytelling in advocacy and community change. Learn how to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences and drive action for early childhood initiatives.
Focus on strategies and resources to support the mental health, professional development, and overall wellbeing of early childhood educators. Discover practical approaches to reduce burnout and increase job satisfaction in the field.
Explore innovative rural models that bring together different generations in care and educational settings. Learn how intergenerational programming can strengthen communities and provide unique benefits for children and elders alike.
Learn how to identify, access, and effectively use reliable data sources to support your advocacy efforts. Discover techniques for translating data into compelling messages that motivate stakeholders to take action on early childhood issues.
Discover innovative and creative fundraising strategies that can be adapted to different community contexts. Learn from successful examples of community-driven fundraising initiatives that have made real impact in early childhood programming.
Explore strategies for developing and supporting a local early childhood workforce pipeline. Learn about "grow your own" initiatives that help communities cultivate, train, and retain early childhood professionals from within their own populations.
This session invites participants to explore the unique strengths and challenges of family child care homes and child care centers. Through hands-on table activities, real-world scenarios, and guided discussion, attendees will evaluate licensing, startup costs, flexibility, and sustainability. Come ready to share your insights, learn from others, and leave with tools to support providers in making informed, community-centered decisions.
This session offers a practical overview of effective capital campaigning, with a focus on proven strategies for cultivating strong relationships with funders and the critical role of community engagement and education. Attendees will hear real-world insights and lessons learned from two communities that have successfully navigated the complexities of launching and completing capital campaigns. Whether you're in the early planning stages or already underway, this session will provide actionable takeaways to strengthen your campaign's impact and sustainability.
Launched in 2024, the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative was designed to promote collaboration—not competition—among communities across the state. The program divided Nebraska into six regions, encouraging local leaders to identify regional assets and create action plans for economic development. Get the latest updates on this initiative, hear about key early childhood priorities, and discover ways you can get involved.
Learn about successful community collaboration models that have improved access to quality child care. Discover strategies for bringing together diverse stakeholders, leveraging community resources, and creating sustainable partnerships that benefit children and families.
Explore the Knowledge Network for Early Childhood Workforce (KNEW), a comprehensive initiative dedicated to growing and supporting early childhood educators across Nebraska. Learn about professional development opportunities, networking resources, and support systems available to strengthen the early childhood workforce.
A detailed case study examining the evolution of collective leadership at Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center in Wood River. Learn about building effective coalitions, sustaining nonprofit board engagement, and navigating the challenges of collaborative governance in early childhood organizations.
Learn directly from successful grassroots advocates about effective practices for community organizing and advocacy. Discover practical strategies for mobilizing community support, engaging stakeholders, and creating lasting change from the ground up in early childhood initiatives.
Essential guidance for developing comprehensive business plans and successful grant proposals for early childhood programs. Learn about financial planning, sustainability strategies, and effective grant writing techniques that can help secure funding for your initiatives.
Explore the business case for supporting child care from an employer perspective. Learn about strategies for hiring and retaining employees when child care is a factor, and discover how workplace culture can support working parents and contribute to community child care solutions.
A data-driven examination of Nebraska's child care landscape, identifying specific gaps in coverage, accessibility, and quality across different regions and demographics. Learn about current research, trends, and mapping tools that can help communities understand and address their local child care challenges.