The Parent Ambassador Program continues to grow as parents, providers, and advocates across Nebraska take bold steps to champion issues that impact children and families. From conferences and trainings to community-led initiatives, Parent Ambassadors are using their voices to shape the future for children and families in our state.
Key Accomplishments
Parent Ambassador Class of 2025: Conference 4
On August 2, the Parent Ambassador Class of 2025 gathered for their fourth conference at the Gothenburg Impact Center, where child care leaders and advocates came together to learn, connect, and grow. The day began with a tour of the Impact Center, which showcased how the community came together to meet its child care needs. Ambassadors then gained valuable insights from alumni on the history of child care in the U.S., and sharpened their communication skills in a communications training session led by Rising Tide Leadership Development.
The conference concluded with a special visit from Senator Teresa Ibach, who spoke candidly about Nebraska’s child care challenges, answered questions, and offered a glimpse into the work of the Legislature.
Unicameral Advocacy in Action
Earlier this summer, Parent Ambassador alumni hosted a special Unicameral training in Omaha, with additional watch parties in Kearney and Lincoln. The event gave families an inside look at Nebraska’s one-of-a-kind legislative system, while helping them strengthen their civic knowledge. Pre-test data showed that nearly half of attendees didn’t know who represented them in Nebraska’s 2nd House, and more than 70% didn’t know their state senator. By the end of the session, 100% of participants could identify both, and all reported learning something new, ranging from how a bill becomes a law to the meaning of cloture.
We are excited to share that Parent Ambassadors have been awarded the UPLAN member subgrant for the second year in a row. With this support, another Unicameral 101 training will be held near the start of the 2026 Legislative Session and will equip families with tools to better understand and engage in Nebraska’s legislative process.
Ambassador Spotlight: Elle Patocka
One shining example of Parent Ambassador leadership is Elle Patocka, a soon-to-be Class of 2025 graduate and former full-time Substitute Teacher, now starting an in-home child care.
Elle has a passion for literacy and set a goal during her Parent Ambassador journey to host community literacy events. Through her Parent Ambassador connections, she partnered with NCFL’s Unite for Literacy program, which donated books to support her efforts. She now hosts bilingual literacy events in Omaha at classrooms, parks, and public libraries. Families enjoy interactive read-alouds and take-home books to continue fostering a love of reading. Learn more about Elle’s work by visiting her Facebook page.
What’s Next: Leadership Roles and New Cohorts
Plenty is happening within the program itself:
- The Class of 2026 begins September 20
- The Class of 2025 graduates on September 27
- Many Class of 2025 graduates are already stepping into leadership roles:
- Five new Parent Ambassadors will serve on the Statewide Family Engagement Centers Special Advisory Committee, with several alumni returning as well
- One joined the Education Rights Counsel as a parent advocacy leader
- Several are training as NAMI peer leaders
- Others are applying for national leadership opportunities through Mom’s Rising
Alumni Highlights
- Nicole Tooker – Recently named Immigration Co-Chair with UPLAN, Nicole will represent Parent Ambassadors at an upcoming immigration conference. She was also featured in a Lincoln news story for her leadership in improving neighborhood safety. Read more here.
- Jess Parker – In her role as UPLAN ECE Co-Chair, Jess will be representing Nebraska parents and families at the 2025 Grassroots Assembly for Child Care conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this fall. She will also join the Mother Forward Organizers Training in Columbus, Ohio, in October. Looking ahead to December, Jess will be co-chairing and presenting multiple sessions at the NHSA Parent and Family Engagement Conference in Orlando through the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement.
- Vicki Chandler-Smith – Has been working with the Nebraska Foster Care Review Board and also as a Resource Family Consultant: Western Service Area – Panhandle for the Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, where she is able to mentor new foster parents.
- Sarah Landell – Selected to be a 2025-2026 PLA and has continued to provide Screen Strong and leadership training through Rising Tide Leadership across the state.
- Shannon Hampson – Presented at the National Association for Family Child Care in Texas this July.
- Amber Serrano-Wiley, Jessica Coffey, Vicki Chandler-Smith, and Nicole Tooker – Nebraska Mom’s Rising hub leaders.