Pro-Kid Policy Plan — Family Economic Stability: Meet Shannon

Child care: the workforce behind the workforce.

Our Pro-Kid Policy Plan pillar feature this week is Family Economic Stability. At Voices for Children, we believe that state economic policies should support families in their efforts to build a better future and balance work and family life. When families are able to achieve financial security, children’s needs can be met. Within this issue area, we champion programs that meet family needs, enabling them to participate in the workforce and establish financial security. We advocate for policies that provide paid time off for families to care for themselves and loved ones, assistance to address the rising costs of child care, and tax credits that allow families to provide for the varying needs of their children.

One example of a Family Economic Stability policy is the Nebraska state child care subsidy. In 2021, we supported LB 485 to temporarily increase families’ access to the child care subsidy from 130% to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). This change made it possible for an estimated 4,300 additional children to become eligible – and thus, for their families to afford child care and participate in the workforce. These provisions are currently scheduled to sunset on October 1, 2026.

Providers all across Nebraska who care for children use the child care subsidy. Shannon, a family home child care provider, is one example among many. Her program is rated Step 5 through Nebraska’s Step Up to Quality, is accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care, and currently has 100% enrollment from families utilizing the child care subsidy. Shannon recently shared that she offers nontraditional hours and accepts the subsidy because she serves families who are doing everything they can to build a better future for their kids.

“Child care makes that possible. That is what keeps me going, knowing that what I do is not just watching children, it is helping families move forward.” – Shannon, Nebraska Family Home Child Care Provider

Economic mobility doesn’t happen overnight; it requires time and opportunity. Families are continually faced with decisions about which household expenses to pay and which to forgo. With rising costs in housing, food, and basic utilities, families across all income brackets experience financial strains. Keeping families eligible creates additional opportunities for them to achieve financial security. The child care subsidy provides a means for hardworking families to stay in the workforce or continue their education.

During the last legislative session, Senator DeBoer introduced LB 304 to eliminate the sunset, allowing families to continue qualifying for child care subsidies. Voices for Children is proud to be working together to ensure this critical legislation passes. At the start of 2026, during the Nebraska State Legislature’s second biennial year, Voices for Children will continue to advocate for the passage of LB 304 to ensure families across the state can afford the child care they need. Shannon poignantly reminds us that policy choices matter, saying, “LB 304 affects far more than just child care programs. It affects families, small business owners, and Nebraska’s workforce as a whole.” Affordable and consistent child care makes it possible for caregivers to continue their education, participate in the workforce, and strengthen their families, and as Shannon says, “giving children a safe, consistent place to learn and grow.”

This is the work of Voices for Children’s policy advocacy – ensuring that families have the resources to achieve economic stability, so all our children have all they need to thrive.