Legislative Committee Studies COVID Impact on Childhood Workforce

LINCOLN -The Appropriations Committee of the Nebraska Legislature is studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the early childhood workforce as well as the financing requirements needed to ensure a high-quality early childhood system in the state.

Senator John Stinner (District 48), Appropriations Committee chair and member of the Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission, introduced Legislative Resolution 390 in July to authorize the study. Today’s hearing at the Capitol features invited testimony from various experts and stakeholders, including researchers, university and government officials,business leaders, and child care providers. University of Nebraska President Ted Carter leads the lineup,which features recently released survey data and other economic analyses. NET willlivestream the hearing from 9 -10:30 a.m. at http:l/netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/government/legislative-hearing-appropriations­ committee-room-1525-3.

“We have the obligation as a committee to set budget and policy decisions that will allow and encourage Nebraska to prosper,” Stinner said. “Child care is foundational to everything this state depends on economically.”

The purpose of LR390 is to assess the fiscal and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nebraska’s early childhood workforce and system, and ensure that the early care and education system is stable enough to support children’s development during and after the pandemic, as well as to support Nebraska families,communities, and businesses in rebuilding the state’s economy.

The foundation for the study resolution is an analysis of Nebraska’s strengths and challenges across all sectors affecting early care and education provided in “Elevating Nebraska’s Early Childhood Workforce: Report and Recommendations of the Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission,” released in January. This comprehensive report was developed by a statewide commission of more than 40 public­ and private-sector leaders, including Stinner, who spent three years examining the issues and developing consensus recommendations for strengthening and expanding the state’s early childhood workforce.

In Nebraska,75 percent of children under the age of 6 live in homes where all adults in their family work outside the home. Working parents rely on early childhood professionals- in family child care homes, child care centers,and public and private schools- to provide additional positive interactions and experiences that young children need to thrive and to help prepare them for success in school and life.

Prior to the pandemic, many communities across the state already lacked sufficient and affordable early care and education options.