State offering $66 million in aid to Nebraska child care operators, workers | Nebraska
[ad_1]
The Greater Omaha Packing Co. beef plant in South Omaha will expand its capacity by nearly 30% and add 275 jobs thanks to a $19.9 million grant from the USDA.
OMAHA — Child care workers and providers in Nebraska will be able to apply for financial aid through a $66 million program the State of Nebraska will kick off next month.
The money is from federal COVID-19 relief aid.
Mickey Garza (left) and daughter Lydia Navarrette (right) help kids do puzzles at Special Angels Daycare in South Omaha in January. Licensed child care providers will have additional financial aid available through the state starting next month, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The intent is “to recognize and reward child care workers, repay student loan debt, and expand access to quality child care services,” according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
DHHS will be holding virtual information sessions for potential applicants this month and start accepting applications Dec. 5.
Jeff Powell, department spokesman, said the pandemic exacerbated a child care workforce shortage that started before COVID-19 struck.
“That caused an issue for parents … and forced them to make tough decisions, such as one parent leaving the workforce,” he said. “These funds that we received from the federal government are to try and help that situation.”
The program will include workforce stipends for current licensed child care providers and staff, and student loan repayment grants for child care providers.
The amounts of the stipends and grants were not available.
As a result of the pandemic, Nebraska’s early childhood providers have experienced income reductions, rampant staff turnover, difficulty hiring staff and an inability to offer sufficient pay, according to a May report from the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.
As a result, many child care providers have been struggling mentally, physically and financially, the Institute said.
The report was based on a survey of more than 750 providers.
Of the providers who employ staff, 9 in 10 respondents reported difficulty filling open positions, citing a lack of applicants and inability to offer sufficient pay. The average hourly wage for child care workers in Nebraska is $12.31.
Two-thirds of child care providers who employ staff experienced turnover, with 69% reporting that workers were leaving the early childhood field entirely.
“The lack of quality child care options nationwide has been a continuing barrier forcing families to make difficult decisions such as leaving the workforce,” said Stephanie Beasley, director of the department’s division of children and family services. “This investment into Nebraska’s critical workforce will help boost child care options for working families and support professionals doing this important work.”
The department will hold several virtual information sessions in English and Spanish to share eligibility requirements, instructions on how to apply and other information. The sessions will take place Monday through Thursday. People can sign up for a session at dhhs.ne.gov/ccdf.
The funding is a part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Top Journal Star photos for October
The basketball courts at Antelope Park went from gray to filled with color this fall. The project to resurface the courts at Normal Boulevard and South Street and repaint them as a reproduction of the painting “Red Sea” by African American artist Felrath Hines was funded by private donations. The original painting is part of the permanent collection of the Sheldon Museum of Art.
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird gives the state of the city address Tuesday.
Lincoln East’s Gabby Pace (center left) and Kooper Barnes (center right) dance as part of the Spartans’ pregame routine before an A-5 district game Wednesday at Doris Bair Complex.
Nebraska interim defensive coordinator Bill Busch celebrates after the team made a stop against Indiana in the first quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Johnson-Brock industrial technology teacher Ashton Bohling is one of 20 nationwide winners of the 2022 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.
Nebraska’s Marcus Washington breaks a tackle from Indiana’s Bryant Fitzgerald (31) in the third quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Flowers ring a tree on Randolph Street where six people died in a car crash early Sunday morning.
Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (13) and Nebraska wide receiver Ty Hahn (17) celebrate after Hartzog scooped up a blocked punt for a touchdown on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A farmer uses a corn combine to harvest his crop on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Johnson, NE. Based on June 1 conditions, Nebraska’s 2022 winter wheat crop is forecast at 36.9 million bushels, down 10% from last year’s crop, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Elkhorn South’s Ellen Bode drives the ball off the 16th tee during the girls class A district golf match on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln.
Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (left) celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown with teammate Chancellor Brewington during the game against Indiana on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Lincoln Southeast’s Camden Hjermstad hits a ball during the Heartland Athletic Conference championships at Woods Tennis Center.
Lead teacher Jazi Hudnall (center) plays with children (from left) Goamar Gony, Cha’Ziye West, Gloria Retana, Grace Dounda, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at Community Action K Street Head Start Center in Lincoln.
Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen moderates a hearing on the voter ID initiative, Tuesday at the state Capitol.
Elkhorn South’s Kennadi Borngrebe (top left) celebrates with her teammates after the Storm defeated Lincoln East in a Class A state softball game Thursday at Bill Smith Complex in Hastings.
Lyla Hardrick, 5, of Lincoln, swings to hit a ball during More is Possible Rally, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Haymarket Park in Lincoln. The outdoor sporting event featured Huskers players, coaches, and alumni to celebrate the 50 anniversary of Title IX.
Malcolm’s Hayden Frank (center) stretches into the Lincoln Lutheran endzone to score a touchdown during the third quarter on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at Malcolm Public Schools in Malcolm.
Lincoln East reacts as Madison Adams (19) runs home after hitting one of the 18 homers hit by the Spartans in three district games this week. East beat Columbus 12-0 to win the A-6 district Thursday at Doris Bair Complex.
Lincoln High’s Dane Mentore (right) tackles Lincoln East’s Dash Bauman (6) during the first half Thursday at Seacrest Field.
Gabriel Wilhelm, 9, closes his ears as the Lincoln Pius X band plays before Friday’s game against Waverly at Aldrich Field.
Justine Bassen of Lincoln directs signs toward passing motorists during the Lincoln Women’s March on Saturday.
Best of Big Red general manager Joey Rupp poses for a photo with the new foam Cornhead hat Wednesday.
Ashland-Greenwood’s Nathan Upton tries to bring down Omaha Roncalli’s Wyatt Yetter on runs in the fourth quarter on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at Ashland-Greenwood High School in Ashland.
A section of the the Deadman’s run watershed which snakes past the Hansen-Mueller grain silos in Northeast Lincoln is photographed by a drone on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, at in Lincoln. Over the past 20 years, the city and Lower Platte NRD have created master plans to manage flood risk, stream stability and water quality in 14 watersheds in and around Lincoln. A proposed comprehensive master plan updates and combines all those plans, which include long-awaited work on Deadmans Run. City voters approved a bond issue that will help pay for the work to widen nearly 1 1/2 miles of the main channel in north Lincoln, replace bridges and build a stormwater basin.
Lincoln East celebrates after the final point of the second set against Lincoln North Star during a HAC Tournament game Tuesday at East.
During the pandemic, the Rev. Allan Phan of Sacred Heart Church in Crete began speaking to his parishioners through his “Devotions with Daisy” blog on Facebook. The videos of he and his dog have been popular among congregants.
McCook’s Evan Humphrey (left) embraces Lincoln Michaelis after winning the Class B No. 1 doubles title on Friday at Woods Tennis Center.
Lincoln Southwest celebrates after scoring against Lincoln East on Monday at East.
Lincoln Pius X’s Nicole Kolbas (middle) reacts after completing the 18th hole at the state girls golf tournament Tuesday at Norfolk Country Club. Kolbas shot a 36-hole 151 to win the tournament for the third consecutive year.
[ad_2]
Source link
