The Parent Ambassador (PA) Program at the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) empowers parents and child care providers to advocate for meaningful change through policy engagement, storytelling, and community building. In the first half of their Ambassador year, the Class of 2025 has demonstrated the power of family voice. They have helped shape local and national conversations and have made significant contributions to creating a more equitable future for Nebraska’s children and families. Take a look at what they have done so far!
Key Accomplishments
Parent Ambassador Conference #2
In April, Parent Ambassadors met in person at NECC for their second official conference, following previous weather-related cancellations. Key highlights from the conference included:
- Sydney Shead, Doula, and CBE, presented Share Your Story: A session teaching Parent Ambassadors how to inspire action more effectively by crafting personal narratives that connect with advocates.
- Jess Parker, current PA Mentor and a member of the PA Class of 2022, shared a presentation about the history of Head Start and how parents can advocate to #ProtectHeadStart.
- The day concluded with a presentation by Sarah Landell (PA Class of 2023) and her husband, Elijah Landell, on the DISC Personality Assessment. Their session helped Parent Ambassadors learn how to tailor their messaging based on the communication styles of the community leaders they engage with.
UPLAN Core Member Gathering in Omaha
After being accepted as a member of the United Parent Leadership Action Network in 2024, NECC Parent Ambassadors were excited to host the UPLAN Biannual Core Member Gathering and welcome nearly 60 parent leaders and partners from all over the country to Omaha. Currently, two Parent Ambassador Alumni, Jess Parker and Nicole Tooker, serve as co-chairs on UPLAN Committees. Jess is co-chair of the Real Parent Engagement Committee, and Nicole is co-chair of the Immigration Committee.
State Capitol Engagement
Although in-person Capitol visits were canceled due to winter storms, Parent Ambassadors remained deeply involved in learning about the Nebraska legislative process. They learned valuable skills in policy navigation, civic engagement, and using personal stories to influence decision-makers. They each chose to follow legislative bills that resonated with their lived experiences and tracked them through the legislative session.
Community Engagement & Capacity Building
The Class of 2025 meets regularly through biweekly cohort sessions and one-on-one sessions with the Director of Parent Ambassadors and Parent Ambassador Mentor. PA alumni meet bi-monthly for virtual alumni gatherings. These meetings continue to build leadership capacity, provide peer support, and strengthen connections across Nebraska.
