Welcome to the August edition of The Lab Report! Here you will find the latest news, updates, and opportunities from the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative. Want to receive each edition in your inbox first? Subscribe here.
1) The Stories and Milestones That Shaped 2025
Our 2026 Impact Report is here!
Read the full report for a closer look at the work and impact highlighted throughout 2025, including:
- Growing the Child Care Network by 26%
- Celebrating Head Start’s 60th anniversary
- Welcoming 19 new Parent Ambassadors representing 17 legislative districts
- Receiving an award for NECC’s Origin Story
2) Parent Ambassador Program Graduates the Class of 2026 and Welcomes the Class of 2027
The NECC Parent Ambassador Class of 2026 will graduate on August 15 after a year of learning to advocate, lead, and serve Nebraska families. Meet the Class of 2026 and celebrate the parents who have helped shape this year’s program!
We look forward to welcoming the Parent Ambassador Class of 2027 on September 19. Stay tuned to meet the newest group of parent leaders and advocates!
3) Early Head Start: Advocacy and Enrollment
As conversations about the future of Head Start and Early Head Start continue, NECC remains committed to advocating for the children, families, and providers who rely on these vital programs.
Know a family in Omaha with an infant or toddler? Share our Early Head Start enrollment information.
See how Early Head Start is strengthening Nebraska families in our Early Head Start Impact Report
4) Help Stock the Business Resource Center
Your donation helps Nebraska child care providers access the tools and supplies they need to run their businesses and create meaningful learning environments for children.
From printing supplies and program materials to equipment and business resources, every contribution helps remove cost barriers and keep the Resource Center stocked with what providers need the most.
5) Doctoral Research in Action: Connected and Confident
As part of her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program, NECC’s Lead Child Care Workforce Development Specialist Kay Storck developed Connected and Confident, a peer mentorship pilot that explores how mentorship can strengthen advocacy skills among family child care providers. Learn how Kay’s research is helping build confidence, leadership, and stronger connections across Nebraska’s early childhood workforce.
6) Enrollment for Spanish CDA Prep Course
A record 21 participants enrolled in NECC’s Spanish CDA Prep Course this fall, making it our largest Spanish-language cohort to date. In fact, this single cohort is larger than the total number of participants in our Spanish CDA Prep Course over the past three years combined!
7) NECC in the Community
Here’s where you’ll find the NECC team this fall. If you’re attending one of these events, we would love to connect!
UNK Early Childhood Conference
Sept. 18–19, 2026 | Kearney, Nebraska
- Heather Schmidt will represent NECC, share resources, and connect with early childhood professionals from across Nebraska.
Thriving Conference
Sept. 22, 2026 | Kearney, Nebraska
- Julia Jackson will co-present Amplifying Early Childhood: Communications Strategies to Drive Change in Nebraska.
- Kay Storck will present Growing Greatness: The Power of Supporting Early Childhood Professionals, with support from Tierra Harper.
- Tierra Harper will co-present Listening to Educators: Using Pulse Surveys and Innovative Recognition Programs to Listen to, Support, and Celebrate Nebraska’s Early Childhood Workforce and Nebraska Early Childhood Summer Interns: Growing Your Local Staffing Pipeline
About the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative
At the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, we’re investing in the early childhood landscape through innovation, collaboration, and service – strengthening families, businesses, and Nebraska. Support our mission at nebraskaearly.org/donate