Resource Categories
Quality
DHHS Child Care Resources
DHHS Child Care Resources website
DHHS Licensure
Description: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services requires that child care centers and family child care homes be licensed and meet specific requirements. Licensing Specialists are located throughout the state and provide oversight and monitoring of licensed programs.
National Association for the Education of Young Children - NAEYC
Description: The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
Qualification/Services: Accreditation, best practice
Nature Explore Classrooms
Description: Through the Nature Explore program, we meld design and education theory into practice. Our process produces nature-based learning spaces that inspire wonder in your children and in you. We can help design or redesign an outdoor classroom that works exceptionally well in supporting children’s learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as language/literacy, the arts, and social/emotional development.
Primary Contact: Nancy Rosenow
Email: NancyR@natureexplore.org
Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative
Description: The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) was established in 2014 as a strategic initiative of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. NECC is a consortium of leading early childhood organizations, and we operate within a lean but robust shared services organizational structure that facilitates knowledge sharing and cost reduction. The Collaborative’s early childhood organizational partners include Educare Omaha, Educare Lincoln, and Omaha Early Learning Centers.
Primary Contact: Shannon Cotsoradis
Email: scotsoradis@nebraskaearly.org
Phone: 402-301-3025
Qualification/Services: Exchange for materials, access to templates and samples of P&P, handbooks, forms, and HR and financial oversight
Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative website
Step Up To Quality
Description: Step Up to Quality Child Care (SUTQ) has five levels, with licensing as the first, and a hybrid rating structure. Tiered reimbursement will be available at steps three through five; incentive bonuses are provided at steps two through five.
Primary Contact: Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
SUTQ Technical Assistance email: www.education.ne.gov/StepUpToQuality
SUTQ link to YouTube how to set up an account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHpHN-Igbeg
The Learning Child
Description: The Learning Child team with Nebraska Extension supports adults who play a role in young children’s lives providing information and resources about early child development.
Facility/Early Childhood Providers
Bipartisan Policy Center
BPC Releases Policy Framework on Early Childhood Facilities
Description: The policy framework recognizes that the quality of the physical buildings and spaces where children learn, play, and grow are a fundamental part of their development and learning.
Blueprint for Success
Buffet Early Childhood Institute
Description: We bring together those who are working to improve early childhood education and development. We serve as a catalyst for change and provide a unified vision and common approach for how we can work together to improve children’s learning and development.
We partner with schools, communities, policymakers, and others to share—and apply—the best of what is known about early childhood development. We serve as a bridge to resources and information for parents, providers, and the public. We communicate what we know to improve the lives of vulnerable young children and their families.
Buffet Early Childhood Institute's Website
DHHS Child Care Resources
Description: Manual for planning a high quality early childhood program.
DHHS Child Care Resources website
DHHS Licensure
Description: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services requires that child care centers and family child care homes be licensed and meet specific requirements. Licensing Specialists are located throughout the state and provide oversight and monitoring of licensed programs.
DHHS Market Rate Survey
Description: The MRS is a federal requirement of the Child Care and Development Block Grant, as well as being a part of Nebraska's State Statute. The MRS collects data every two years from licensed child care providers statewide. Child care subsidy rates are set in accordance to results of the survey and in combination with provider type (Family Child Care Home I/II, Child Care Center) and their geological location (Urban or Rural) and accreditation. Accredited providers will receive rates at the 75th percentile or the urban rate for their provider type.
2017 Child Care Market Rate Survey
DHHS Subsidy Contract
Description: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services contracts with licensed child care centers and family child care homes to provide care to families receiving child care subsidy. This subsidy pays for or assists in payment for the cost of care. Providers establish a contract with DHHS and then are able to bill for children served through the contract. Rates are based on a biannual statewide market rate survey.
Primary Contact: Nicole Vint
Email: nicole.vint@nebraska.gov
Child Care Subsidy Information for Parents website
Lakeshore
Primary Contact: Ronne Hineline
Email: rhineline@lakeshorelearning.com
Qualification/Services: Materials/resources/connection to NAEYC, ITERS, ECERS, Classroom layout
Nebraska Advantage Act
Description: Nebraska’s comprehensive economic development incentive package for expanding or relocating businesses.
Nebraska Advantage Package website
Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC)
Description: NBDC helps strengthen Nebraska businesses for a healthy economy and prosperous communities. Certified consultants provide confidential, impartial services, and educational opportunities for established and start-up businesses researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative
Description: The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) was established in 2014 as a strategic initiative of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. NECC is a consortium of leading early childhood organizations, and we operate within a lean but robust shared services organizational structure that facilitates knowledge sharing and cost reduction. The Collaborative’s early childhood organizational partners include Educare Omaha, Educare Lincoln, and Omaha Early Learning Centers.
Primary Contact: Shannon Cotsoradis
Email: scotsoradis@nebraskaearly.org
Phone: 402-301-3025
Qualification/Services: Exchange for materials, access to templates and samples of P&P, handbooks, forms, and HR and financial oversight
Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative website
Nebraska Early Childhood Exchange
Description: NECC extends its reach into the broader child care community through the Nebraska Early Childhood Exchange, a resource website built specifically for Nebraska’s child care providers. The Exchange helps to promote best practices, offer cost savings, and supply providers with countless administrative and classroom resources.
Nebraska Early Childhood Exchange website
Nebraska TEACH
Description: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® NEBRASKA provides scholarships to help early care and education professionals complete coursework at a local college and work toward a degree in Early Childhood Education. Scholarships are available for both Associates and Bachelors Degrees.
Rule 11 Rules for Architectural Design
Description: Elements of Architectural Design for Early Childhood Programs
Step Up To Quality
Description: Step Up to Quality Child Care (SUTQ) has five levels, with licensing as the first, and a hybrid rating structure. Tiered reimbursement will be available at steps three through five; incentive bonuses are provided at steps two through five.
Primary Contact: Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
SUTQ Technical Assistance email: www.education.ne.gov/StepUpToQuality
SUTQ link to YouTube how to set up an account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHpHN-Igbeg
The Learning Child
Description: The Learning Child team with Nebraska Extension supports adults who play a role in young children’s lives providing information and resources about early child development.
The Learning Child Website
Childcare Business Resources
Blueprint for Success
Description: Manual for planning a high quality early childhood program.
College of Business Administration Business Development Center — UNO free business resource — Service Centers Locations
Description: They offer excellent help in developing business plans and financing strategies, including applications for low/no-interest loans and grants for certain qualifying businesses. They also help with market analyses, commercial, professional, and environmental regulatory compliance, etc. They should be a resource that any child care center reaches out to for free advice and business help.
Primary Contact:
Administrative Office, 200 Mammel Hall 67th and Pine Streets, Omaha, NE 68182
Phone: 402.554.2521
Email: nbdc@unomaha.edu
NE Business Development Center - Service Centers website
Nebraska Business Development Center website
Cost of Quality Calculator and Messaging Toolkit
Description: Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) has developed the Cost of Preschool Quality & Revenue (CPQ&R) calculator, a free Excel-based tool, to help users determine costs and funding sources related to implementing high-quality preschool programs.
CELLO Cost of Preschool Quality and Revenue Calculator
DHHS Market Rate Survey
Description: The MRS is a federal requirement of the Child Care and Development Block Grant, as well as being a part of Nebraska's State Statute. The MRS collects data every two years from licensed child care providers statewide. Child care subsidy rates are set in accordance to results of the survey and in combination with provider type (Family Child Care Home I/II, Child Care Center) and their geological location (Urban or Rural) and accreditation. Accredited providers will receive rates at the 75th percentile or the urban rate for their provider type.
2017 Child Care Market Rate Survey
DHHS Subsidy Contract
Description: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services contracts with licensed child care centers and family child care homes to provide care to families receiving child care subsidy. This subsidy pays for or assists in payment for the cost of care. Providers establish a contract with DHHS and then are able to bill for children served through the contract. Rates are based on a biannual statewide market rate survey.
Primary Contact: Nicole Vint
Email: nicole.vint@nebraska.gov
Child Care Subsidy Information for Parents website
Nebraska Advantage Act
Description: Nebraska’s comprehensive economic development incentive package for expanding or relocating businesses.
Nebraska Advantage Package website
Nebraska Child and Adult Food program Reimbursement Rates
Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative
Description: The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) was established in 2014 as a strategic initiative of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. NECC is a consortium of leading early childhood organizations, and we operate within a lean but robust shared services organizational structure that facilitates knowledge sharing and cost reduction. The Collaborative’s early childhood organizational partners include Educare Omaha, Educare Lincoln, and Omaha Early Learning Centers.
Primary Contact: Shannon Cotsoradis
Email: scotsoradis@nebraskaearly.org
Phone: 402-301-3025
Qualification/Services: Exchange for materials, access to templates and samples of P&P, handbooks, forms, and HR and financial oversight
Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative website
Nebraska Early Childhood Exchange
Description: NECC extends its reach into the broader child care community through the Nebraska Early Childhood Exchange, a resource website built specifically for Nebraska’s child care providers. The Exchange helps to promote best practices, offer cost savings, and supply providers with countless administrative and classroom resources.
Nebraska Early Childhood Exchange website
Step Up To Quality
Description: Step Up to Quality Child Care (SUTQ) has five levels, with licensing as the first, and a hybrid rating structure. Tiered reimbursement will be available at steps three through five; incentive bonuses are provided at steps two through five.
Primary Contact: Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
SUTQ Technical Assistance email: www.education.ne.gov/StepUpToQuality
SUTQ link to YouTube how to set up an account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHpHN-Igbeg
Tax Credit for Startup Businesses
Description: Components Incorporated into the Nebraska Advantage Package
Community Engagement
Buffet Early Childhood Institute
Description: We bring together those who are working to improve early childhood education and development. We serve as a catalyst for change and provide a unified vision and common approach for how we can work together to improve children’s learning and development.
We partner with schools, communities, policymakers, and others to share—and apply—the best of what is known about early childhood development. We serve as a bridge to resources and information for parents, providers, and the public. We communicate what we know to improve the lives of vulnerable young children and their families.
Buffet Early Childhood Institute's Website
Business Connection/Research
Description: This article provides research and analysis on the importance of child care to the business workforce.
Business Connection/Research website
Chamber Business Connection Toolkit
Description: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. We educate the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.
First Children's Finance
First Children's Finance website
First Five Nebraska (FFN)
Description: Who Is First Five Nebraska?
First Five Nebraska is a team of professionals with combined experience in government relations, data analysis and strategic communications. We work to ensure that more of Nebraska's youngest, most vulnerable children begin life with the kinds of developmental experiences that set them on a path to becoming successful students and productive citizens
National Association for the Education of Young Children - NAEYC
Description: The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
Qualification/Services: Accreditation, best practice
Nebraska Child Care Desert Graphics
Center for American Progress interactive map of the United States indicating childcare deserts.
One x One Community Conversation Toolkit
By giving you tools to host or to participate in your own “conversation,” the Community Conversation Toolkit will help you engage members of your community.
The Learning Child
Description: The Learning Child team with Nebraska Extension supports adults who play a role in young children’s lives providing information and resources about early child development.
The Learning Child Website
Funding Sources and Grants
Developing Youth Talent Initiative
Description: The Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI) creates collaboration between Nebraska businesses and public schools.
Developing Youth Talent Initiative website
DHHS EC Grant
Description: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services offers grant opportunities for startup or expansion. These grants are awarded on an ongoing basis to child care centers and family child care.
Phone: 402-471-3531
Qualifiations/Services: Enhancement or start up $5k- 10k
Intern Nebraska Program
Description: The Intern Nebraska Grant Program (InternNE) provides financial assistance to businesses who create new internships in Nebraska.
Listing of Potential Grant Sources
Description: National grants and funding opportunities
America's Promise Alliance website
Nebraska Advantage Act
Description: Nebraska’s comprehensive economic development incentive package for expanding or relocating businesses.
Nebraska Advantage Package website
Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED)
Description: The DED has several resources listed below. Please contact your regional DED Field Service Business Development Consultant for assistance.
Description: Community development block grant: OED receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on an annual basis. Non-entitlement communities can apply to use those funds for non-profit child care centers that benefit low and moderate-income (LMI) persons under the Public Works category of the program. Communities can access up to $400,000 maximum with a 25% match requirement.
Click Here for More Information
Description: Civic and community center financing fund (CCCFF): The Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) grants are administered by OED and awarded to municipalities to encourage and foster quality of life in our communities. CCCFF grants are awarded on a competitive basis to eligible communities for non-profit community facilities including child care centers.
Click Here for More Information
Description: Community development assistance act (CDAA) This program provides tax credits to entities that support approved community betterment projects. OED distributes a 40% state tax credit to businesses, corporations, insurance firms, financial institutions, and individuals that make eligible cash contributions, or donate services and materials, to approved community betterment projects.
Click Here for More Information
Description: Nebraska advantage micro-enterprise tax credits The Nebraska Department of Revenue administers the tax incentive programs for the state. A qualifying for profit applicant may earn credits equal to 20% of the increase in new investment or new employment at the micro business in the year of application and the year after application
Click Here for More Information
Nebraska Department of Education reVISION
Description: reVISION is a year-long process that provides Nebraska schools with the opportunity to analyze and transform their current career education systems in order to improve their ability to educate a qualified workforce that meets industry needs within an ever-changing economy.
Outdoor Classrooms/Green Space
Nebraska Forest Service website
Potential Community Grant Resources
USDA grant - rural communities
Description: small communities with high poverty rate
USDA Rural Development website
Examples From Other States
Business Related Resources
Description: Research-based based policies, practices and programs that providers, and communities can take to ensure families are supported
NC Early Childhood Foundation website
Ready Nation
Description: Business executives building a skilled workforce by promoting solutions that prepare children to succeed in education, work, and life. ReadyNation leverages the experience, influence, and expertise of over 2,000 business executives to promote public policies and programs that build a stronger workforce and economy
Research
Research on Multi Pronged Approach
Description: Combination of Early Childhood, Home Visiting, and Supports
