Most of us agree that access to quality education is one of the most important things we can do to ensure the well-being of Nebraska’s children and our state as a whole. Opportunities to learn and build skills are an essential part of preparing youth for healthy, productive adulthoods. Too…...
Will Nebraska Move Forward on Hunger-Free Schools?
Earlier this year, we mentioned Community Eligibility as a new option for providing school meals in a way that makes high-poverty schools hunger-free zones. Ensuring that children aren’t hungry in school can help them be better prepared for their primary job of learning. Community Eligibility allows eligible schools to serve…...
What Paul Ryan Got Wrong — and Right — on Poverty
Last week, U.S. Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin revealed a new plan to address the growing numbers of Americans living in poverty. In 2012, 15 percent of Americans, or about 46.5 million people, were living poverty and the percentage of children was even higher at about 20 percent. In Nebraska, there are…...
2014 National Kids Count Series: Economic Well-Being
Last week the Annie E. Casey Foundation released the 2014 Kids Count Data Book highlighting state trends in child well-being and celebrating their 25th edition of the book by going back to 1990 and looking at changes in America’s children since then. Typically, Nebraska fares quite well in the report with…...
2014 Spotlight Gala Awards – Individual
Sometimes when looking for solutions, you have to think outside. For Scott Smathers, this meant thinking outside to the great Nebraska outdoors. Through the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program, Scott found a unique way to combat hunger. For those efforts, Scott Smathers is the recipient of the 2014 Spotlight…...
The 25th Annual KIDS COUNT National Data Book is Coming
If you follow Voices for Children in Nebraska, you undoubtedly hear a lot about the Kids Count in Nebraska Report, but you may not know much about the national report. The National Data Book takes data from all 50 states, compares states, and provides a ranking. This report can easily tell us how…...
