Buffett Early Childhood Institute

06/02/2026

▶️ New video: Watch how campus-community partnerships are shaping the future of early childhood education through our Community Chairs program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOTDFEXUkmw&t=106s

Featuring interviews with University of Nebraska System campus leaders and the Institute’s four Community Chairs, the video highlights how this collaboration advances research, training, and initiatives that support young children and families.

Meet our Community Chairs:
💡 Julia Torquati, Community Chair in Infant and Child Mental Health, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
💡 Debora Wisneski, John T. Langan Community Chair in Early Childhood Education, University of Nebraska at Omaha
💡 Paula Thompson, Cille and Ron Williams Community Chair for Early Childhood Education, University of Nebraska at Kearney
💡 Philip Lai, Cille and Ron Williams Community Chair for Early Childhood Education, University of Nebraska at Kearney

06/01/2026

A new brief led by Chelsea Wesner and a Community of Learning from the Tribal Early Childhood Research Center, which is co-led by Buffett Institute Senior Director of Tribal Research, Policy, and Partnerships Michelle Sarche, builds understanding of what family economic wellbeing looks like within Native American communities.

Based on a scoping review and perspectives of a Community of Learning comprised of health economists, researchers, Tribal TANF program directors, and federal program partners, a definition of family economic wellbeing was created that goes beyond family finances. It also includes opportunities for intergenerational mobility and access to economic resources, generosity, reciprocity made possible through a strong community safety net, and collective responsibility.

🔗 Read the full brief: https://coloradosph.cuanschutz.edu/docs/librariesprovider205/trc/2026-trc-brief_family-economic-wellbeing.pdf?sfvrsn=ae5484b4_1

05/30/2026

Communities like Holdrege are listening to the needs of families and child care providers, with a nonprofit offering incentives to early educators who care for infants and offer extended hours.

“When we did our initial survey for the childcare problem in Holdrege, the thing we found was that people didn't have the extended hours that they needed due to the businesses working 24 hours in our community, as well as no infant spots,” said McKenna Fahrenbruch, executive director of the Holdrege Area Early Childhood Partnership, Inc.

Read more from Nebraska Public Media, which used Buffett Institute data showing a 17,500+ child care gap in Nebraska.

The Holdredge Area Early Childhood Partnership doubled its incentive for childcare providers who are open longer hours. The incentive was first introduced as a way to help families working for businesses that are open 24 hours a day.

05/29/2026

Buffett Institute Executive Director Walter Gilliam was named a top early childhood thought leader on a national list curated by leadership coach Jonno White of Clarity Group Global.

This recognition reflects the Institute’s growing national policy, research, and practice work, including efforts focused on workforce health and well-being, child care gaps, and support for military families, as well as Gilliam’s landmark research on preschool suspension and expulsion.

The list also features Sharon Lynn Kagan and Jessie Rasmussen, both members of the Buffett Institute’s Board of Advisors. Read more: https://www.consultclarity.org/post/thought-leaders-early-childhood-usa

05/28/2026

“This program is one of the ways we’re building the next generation of researchers."

Read our new blog and view photos from the recent 2025-26 Graduate Scholars Spring Showcase, where Ph.D. students Colman Freel, Rebekah Rapoza, and Ali Shull presented the findings of their Institute-funded research projects.

https://buffettinstitute.nebraska.edu/blog/2026/05/buffett-institute-graduate-scholars-present-research-at-spring-showcase

Nebraska College of Education and Human Sciences University of Nebraska Medical Center - UNMC UNMC College of Medicine

From social media pressures on parents to the long-term health impacts of maternal stress and diabetes during pregnancy, the Buffett Early Childhood Institute’s Graduate Scholars are tackling some of today’s most pressing early childhood issues. 

05/27/2026

Join Amy Schmidtke, our director of educational practice, on Thursday at 2 p.m. CT/3 p.m. ET for a free webinar on early literacy instruction hosted by New America and The Center on Early Learning Success.

Schmidtke co-wrote a new state-of-the-field research brief on early literacy. Presenters will share findings from the brief, as well as insights on the research base for early literacy instruction and community-led innovations supporting literacy success in the early grades.

🔗 Register here:
https://buff.ly/C3NDryU

05/26/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference!

Secure your spot at Nebraska's go-to gathering for conversations about child care, families, economic development, and the early childhood workforce.

📍 Kearney, Nebraska
📆 Sept. 22, 2026
💰️ Free to attend

Register here: https://thrivingchildrenconference.vfairs.com/

05/23/2026

See what's new at the Buffett Institute in our latest newsletter: https://buff.ly/7sFroiX

In this issue, you'll find news, our latest publications, and upcoming events, including:
➡️ The expansion of our military family and child care research and policy work
➡️ Walter Gilliam's work on the federal Supporting Early-childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act, which would allow early educators to deduct classroom supplies from their taxes
➡️ A new report on early childhood workforce retention

📩 Not subscribed? Sign up here: https://buff.ly/MdVPWoS

05/22/2026

We're so excited that work is beginning on this innovative early literacy project with partners like Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Inc., University of Nebraska at Kearney, LENA, and other Head Start programs across Nebraska.

Learn more: https://buffettinstitute.nebraska.edu/news-and-events/news/2025/08/buffett-early-childhood-institute-awarded-1295-million-grant-to-boost-early-literacy-in-nebraska

05/21/2026

Planning your professional development for the summer or next school year? Check out the Buffett Institute's digital Professional Learning Catalog, which offers free workshops on early literacy and math, family engagement, child development, school leadership, and more.

Read our new Q&A to learn how to use the catalog and who can request a session: https://buffettinstitute.nebraska.edu/blog/2026/05/new-online-catalog-connects-educators-to-free-professional-learning-workshops

Explore the catalog: https://buffettinstitute.nebraska.edu/schools/professional-learning-catalog