Ready to start our day at Thriving Children, Families and Communities conference! Looking forward to sharing and connecting with #EarlyChildhood partners from across the state. #ThrivingChildren2024 #Nebraska

Linda Smith said early childhood advocates must propose solutions and plainly state what they need and the associated cost. Stop telling people what they already know. Yes, the early childhood workforce is underpaid. So what can we do about it? #ThrivingChildren2024

Linda Smith: Families are stressed out. Children are stressed. Early educators are stressed. We must address the mental health and social-emotional development of America's families, children, and child care providers. #ThrivingChildren2024 nytimes.com/2024/09/14/ups…

Get ready for an engaging conversation with the #ThrivingChildren keynote panel

.Shoshanah Inwood is sharing her research on farm families and how child care factors into farming and agriculture. In Nebraska, over 93% of farmers are farm families. "That means there's caregiving happening in these farm families." #ThrivingChildren2024

Bryan Slone from Nebraska Chamber said child care solutions must work for businesses large and small. Nebraska has a demographic problem, too. The state needs more people and more workers. #ThrivingChildren2024

Proud to be among hundreds (and hundreds!) of Nebraska early childhood champions this morning at #thrivingchildren2024

Do people move because of housing or childcare? The answer is YES. #thrivingchildren2024

"We have to make significant investments in housing and child care," Bryan Slone of Nebraska Chamber said in response to a question from Linda Smith on how housing, child care, and workforce needs are intertwined in many communities. #ThrivingChildren2024

Our #ThrivingChildren2024 lunch panel is sharing community success stories

NCF and Keith County Foundation Fund well represented at the #thrivingchildren2024 lunch panel by volunteers Ken Snyder and Mary Pierce. "Early childhood education is crucial to our survival."

There are so many timely, informative breakout sessions at #ThrivingChildren2024 on topics like philanthropy, effective communication and community engagement, the child care needs of farm families, child care tax credits, and more!

Child care is clearly a workforce/business issue, Alethea Gomez from ColoradoEPIC said. When parents don’t have reliable child care, they may cut hours or drop out of the workforce altogether. #ThrivingChildren2024

The most popular attendee at #ThrivingChildren2024 is ... the Dolly Parton cutout! Thanks to Imagination Library for being an event sponsor.

.We Care for Kids campaign manager Claire Wiebe is closing out #ThrivingChildren2024. Early childhood education is too big an issue for any one person or community to solve alone, she said.

What an incredible day! Thank you to all #ThrivingChildren2024 attendees, presenters, and sponsors. We feel inspired and energized to create a better future for our children, families, and communities.