Steffen, Lueth join graduating class of 2023-24 Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy

GRAND ISLAND — The Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy, the state’s premier, early childhood leadership initiative, recently wrapped up its 2023-24 program in Grand Island. Jackie Steffen, Nebraska Extension Early Childhood Educator of Hartington and Jessica Lueth, Cardinal Kids Early Learning Center Director of Randolph, completed the six-month program alongside 22 other advocates representing early childhood and higher education, public health, nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and economic development entities. Steffen and Lueth join a network of nearly 150 PLA alumni working in communities throughout the state to strengthen Nebraska’s early childhood systems.

The PLA prepares and empowers citizenadvocates to take an active role in public policy conversations at the local and statewide levels. Participants work directly with professionals in public policy, strategic engagement and data analysis to develop skills for engaging with public officials and creating momentum for lasting policy change. These efforts focus on making child care more accessible and affordable, strengthening the early childhood workforce, supporting the healthy development of young children and promoting the well-being of Nebraska families and communities.

First Five Nebraska Grassroots and Outreach Advisor Jodi-Renee Girón has led the PLA since 2021, drawing upon over 20 years’ experience in advocacy and movement building. “Our 2024 PLA participants are among the most accomplished and motivated individuals to graduate from this program. Many are already leveraging the skills and experience they have gained to collaborate locally with public- and private-sector advocates to solve critical early childhood issues in their communities,” Girón said. As active members of Cedar County Communities for Kids, Steffen and Lueth collaborated on their final PLA project and spearheaded the firstever Cedar County Early Childhood Conference in March. “It was an honor to elevate the early childhood workforce in northeast Nebraska with a valuable professional development event. They are truly the workforce behind their workforce, and we know that children’s earliest experience shape how their brains develop. Having quality early care and education available in our local communities is critical,” Steffen said. FFN Director Jason Prokop commended the 2024 PLA participants, noting their graduation coincides with an extraordinarily active legislative session for early childhood issues. “A strong and viable early childhood infrastructure is essential for Nebraska. There has never been a better or more crucial time for citizen-advocates, like this year’s PLA graduates, to take an active role in shaping policy solutions in our state,” said Prokop.