500 Nebraskans meet to address child care challenges

KEARNEY, Neb. (KLKN) — Today, nearly 500 Nebraskans are gathering for the ninth annual Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference.

This includes parents, child care providers, employers, educators, nonprofit leaders, policymakers and community leaders.

The conference focuses on educating, collaborating and problem-solving early childhood challenges like child care. Last year, the conference brought in leaders from across Nebraska and 12 other states.

“Child care challenges impact all Nebraskans, and no single organization, community or sector can address them alone,” Marti Beard, co-president of Early Futures Partnership, said. “Today is an opportunity to learn from one another, build new connections and identify ways we can work together to make progress. We’re excited to have so many people at the table and to continue building on the collaboration already happening across our state.”

Paul Schmitz, senior advisor at The Collective Impact Forum, will partake in a keynote address, focusing on how collaborative leadership is important to address complex challenges.

“I have visited more than 200 communities in the U.S. and in recent years, affordable quality early childhood care and education has been a priority everywhere from rural to large urban communities,” Schmitz said. “We know the economics don’t work for parents, for the providers or for the workforce.”