The Lab Report – September 2026

We are proud to share that NECC Chief Operating Officer Lameakia Collier is serving on the steering committee for Child Care Can, a statewide initiative dedicated to strengthening Nebraska through affordable, quality child care. By bringing together organizations, businesses, community leaders, providers and families, Child Care Can is building a statewide movement and advancing practical solutions that help Nebraska compete and thrive. Learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved.

News interviews. Focus groups. Conferences. Lifelong friendships. One Parent Ambassador even logged 1,502 miles on the road. The Parent Ambassador Class of 2026’s journey was full of experiences they never expected when the year began.

“The Parent Ambassador Program has allowed me to step into rooms and experiences I never imagined possible.”

As we look back on the Class of 2026, we are celebrating the parents who showed up, shared their stories and made space for new voices in Nebraska’s early childhood conversations. Congratulations to the entire cohort!

NECC’s Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership program is fully enrolled with 280 children! Now, the work continues. After families enroll, staff work through required documentation and enrollment records to ensure each child is ready to receive services. The team has found a creative way to visualize the task ahead: a paper chain where each link represents one child. With two rounds of paperwork for every child, the chain is a colorful reminder of the 280 children and families at the heart of this work!

There is an urgent opportunity to help shape what comes next for Head Start. Proposed federal changes could affect Head Start programs and the children and families they serve. Visit First Five Nebraska to learn more about the proposed changes and how you can make your voice heard.

Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference on Sept. 22, 2026 in Kearney, Nebraska

• Kay Storck
  Growing Greatness: Supporting Early Childhood Professionals
• Tierra Harper
  Two sessions on supporting Nebraska’s early childhood workforce and building local staffing pipelines.
• Julia Jackson
  Amplifying Early Childhood: Communications Strategies to Drive Change in Nebraska

RECHARGE gives Nebraska’s child care providers a day to step away from their daily responsibilities, rest, relax and refill their cups. Activities include chair yoga, guided meditation, journaling, massage and more.

“This was a nice event to enjoy and connect with other providers and the NECC staff! Their support and encouragement is vital to keeping providers in the field!”

Planning for RECHARGE 2027 is underway, and sponsorship opportunities are available to help make this day possible. Donate today or contact marketing@nebraskaearly.org to learn more.

Through a partnership with Child Care Aware of America, NECC is expanding access to Disaster Preparedness for Child Care Programs training across Nebraska.

With support from local hosts and community partners, these hands-on trainings give child care providers tools to strengthen emergency plans and prepare for the unexpected. More trainings are planned across Nebraska this fall, with virtual options coming soon!

NECC is supporting efforts to expand child care access in Western Nebraska through the Panhandle Childcare Expansion Program. The initiative provides eligible participants with up to $3,500 to start or grow an in-home child care business.

Participants also receive support with licensing, mentorship, training, and ongoing resources as they build sustainable child care businesses and strengthen access for families across the region.

Heather Schmidt will represent NECC at the UNK Early Childhood Conference in Kearney on Sept. 18–19.

Based in Broken Bow, Heather is a remote NECC team member and former child care provider who brings valuable firsthand experience to our work. Connect with Heather at the conference!