A Note from Megan-

Welcome to the new year! We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support you showed during
the recent release of the Omaha America After 3 PM report with Mayor John Ewing, providing us with
first-of-its-kind data to better serve our students. While we celebrate, we remain vigilant as we
navigate the uncertainties in the Nebraska legislature, an unbalanced state budget, and the ongoing
need to protect critical federal funding. The year ahead will present challenges, but if anyone has the
passion and resilience to advocate for our kids, it is the dedicated CFY network.

Whats on the Floor Right Now? LB304

LB304 PROTECTS CHILD CARE FOR WORKING FAMILIES
LB304 is a bill before the Nebraska Legislature that would maintain the current income thresholds for childcare assistance. We need your help to ensure it passes. The bill doesn’t expand benefits or require additional funding; it simply keeps existing eligibility levels in place.
Without LB304, eligibility will drop in 2026, cutting off thousands of families and pushing Nebraska to an alarming 48th in the nation for access to childcare assistance.
When childcare becomes unaffordable, many parents are forced to leave the workforce, impacting not only families but also employers and the broader economy. Passing LB304 helps protect working families, strengthen communities, and support a stable workforce.
Call or write to your representative in the Unicameral and ask them to PASS LB304. Learn more about the impact of the bill, and ways you can help on First Five Nebraska’s website.

Data Release Wrap Up

We are proud how the community got behind us on sharing the data. In this newsletter you can review the coverage!
Read about the study, which we released with Mayor John Ewing Jr.: Click HERE to read the press release.

Review: America After 3 PM report-

Watch: KETV

Shared a story on a newly released Omaha study, featuring Collective for Youth Executive Director Megan Addison discussing the powerful role afterschool programs play in keeping kids engaged and parents working, while also underscoring the need for more resources.

READ: Coverage in Omaha World Herald

Read the story (subscription required):

STEM-
This month’s STEM Community of Practice, held on Wednesday, January 28, featured Emerging Ladies Academy and a hands-on exploration of micro-bits through a creative coding challenge. Participants worked collaboratively to design and test the most “codable” activities, engaging site personnel and fellow providers in authentic technology practices that emphasized experimentation, problem-solving, and creativity. The session sparked rich conversation about the power of integrated learning, closing with a discussion on how thoughtfully designed activities can bridge STEM with social-emotional learning, physical activity, and literacy. Providers reflected on the importance of weaving these elements together to create meaningful, whole-child learning experiences that extend beyond a single content area.

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities!

Each CFY workshop is followed up with a relevant podcast on Spotify.

Follow The Collective podcast on Spotify!

February 19- Cooperative Learning  

Feb 25- STEM Skills 

March 3^rd-Emotional Intelligence 

March 5^th-STEM Facilitation 

March 11-14, 2026- National Afterschool Association Conference in Washington, DC