The first post in this series examined what exactly the sequester is, and a brief introduction to the anticipated impacts on Nebraska’s kids. The second part of this multi-part series will focus on Head Start and Early Head Start. Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness…...
Another opportunity on school-based health centers
Last year, we at Voices for Children watched with disapointment as Governor Heineman vetoed a bill to provide grants to help with the start-up costs of new school-based health centers. The bill failed to garner enough votes to have the veto overidden. Today, LB 275 will receive a hearing before the Education…...
A comprehensive look at Child Care
As Nebraska opened the third Educare facility in the state, it is worth addressing the idea of access and quality child care for families. Currently the program has two facilities in Omaha- Kellom serves 183 children and families Indian Hill serves 191 children and families. The new site located in…...
Educational Savings Plans
The rising cost of tuition has moved higher education out of reach for many families. Students are increasingly graduating with significant amounts of debt. In 2011, 63% of Nebraska’s college students graduated with debt averaging $24,284. These trends have made savings for higher education significantly more important. While attaining higher education…...
LB359: Child Care Subsidy Program
Access to affordable, licensed child care is vital to ensure that families can work and children are safe. Indeed, when families cannot afford licensed care, parents have a more limited ability to work consistently and in some cases, children can be left in an unsafe situation. In 2012, full-time care…...
Our prosperous future requires an investment in kids
Today, Voices for Children in Nebraska’s Executive Director, Carolyn Rooker, issued the following statement in response to Governor Heineman’s State of the State Address: This legislative session, lawmakers must be future-thinking in their budget decisions – both on the revenue and spending side – and prioritize services that will put…...
A small step forward on child care
Research supports the fact that early learning experiences are necessary to healthy intellectual, social, and emotional development. Such experiences create a foundation for children to be successful students and eventually productive, contributing adults. Voices for Children believes that financial investments in working families and their children are investments in the…...
Early Education Supports Military Readiness
Last week, two retired generals from Nebraska called on policymakers to support high-quality early childhood education. At first glance, it seems an odd topic for generals to be speaking out on, but it’s part of a growing recognition about the wide-ranging importance of early childhood education. Lately, it seems everyone from…...
