NEBRASKA CITY  - First Five Nebraska named Congressman Adrian Smith a champion of early childhood policy at an awards ceremony in Lincoln.

The award recognizes Rep. Smith’s role in expanding a federal program that matches nurses or early childhood educators with families to promote well-being of Nebraska babies and families.

In a press release, Congressman Smith said evidence-based home visits put skills and resources within reach of parents. He said it improves prenatal health outcomes, school readiness and self-sufficiency.

Jason Prokop of First Five Nebraska said Congressman Smith’s work on the Early Childhood Home Visiting Program is an example of “big-picture” leadership needed in public policy.

 

Here is the press release

LINC0LN — Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska’s 3rd congressional district was named the recipient of the 2024 Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Champion Award at a special ceremony in Lincoln. The annual award was established in 2023 by First Five Nebraska (FFN) to honor public officials who lead policy efforts that improve the lives of young children, families and communities across the state.

  FFN presented the award to Congressman Smith in recognition of his work on a bipartisan effort to reauthorize and expand the federal Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program in 2022. Smith has long been involved in supporting evidence-based home visiting services and other programs that promote the well-being of Nebraska babies and families.

  Home visiting programs focus on families facing a variety of risk factors that can affect children’s early development. These services match families with trained professionals—often nurses or early childhood educators—who tailor resources and supports to their specific needs. Participation in home visiting programs is entirely voluntary on the part of families.

Evidence-based home visiting services are known to improve maternal and child health, academic and social outcomes, as well as reduce incidences of child maltreatment, emergency room visits and Child Protective Services (CPS) interventions. Cost-benefit analyses indicate a $1.80 to $5.70 return on every dollar invested in high-quality home visiting services.

  “We know that young children are more likely to thrive when their parents are fully prepared to give them a strong start in life. Evidence-based home visiting puts skills and resources within the reach of parents so they can live up to that responsibility," said Congressman Smith. "While evidence-based programming is good for taxpayers because they know their resources are going to programs which work, it is good for children and families because it improves prenatal health outcomes, promotes school readiness and increases self-sufficiency. I am honored to receive this award from First Five Nebraska.”

Home visiting programs are currently available to families in 66 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. MIECHV is the largest source of funding for home visiting programs in the state.

  The award was presented to Congressman Smith by First Five Nebraska Director Jason Prokop at the organization’s offices in downtown Lincoln. Prokop commented on the importance of recognizing well-informed leadership on early childhood issues by state and federal officials.

“The decisions we make about children’s early development connect to every aspect of public policy in some way—whether it’s about health care, housing, workforce development or public safety,” said Prokop. “Congressman Smith’s work on MIECHV reauthorization shows exactly that kind of big-picture, practical, and results-driven leadership we need to see in our elected officials.”  

 

About First Five Nebraska 

First Five Nebraska (FFN) is a non-partisan public policy organization established in 2011 to strengthen the state’s early childhood system as a key driver of social, educational and economic opportunity for all Nebraskans. FFN works with officials in local, state and federal government, business and economic leaders, early childhood professionals and other stakeholders to identify, research and promote well-informed, fiscally responsible policies that address the care, education and healthy development of young children. For more information, visit www.FirstFiveNebraska.org.