Members of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute visited Scottsbluff, Valentine, and Ogallala in late August as part of a greater Nebraska tour that involved listening to community members and learning about their early childhood challenges and successes.

The group included Walter Gilliam, executive director of the Institute; Marisa Macy, University of Nebraska at Kearney Community Chair; Buffett Institute staff; and partners from Nebraska Extension.

They met with nearly 90 community members in all, including early childhood workforce professionals, public health representatives, health care providers, and parents; school staff and school board members; business leaders; chamber of commerce officials and economic development representatives; and elected officials. Together, they discussed the many factors impacting and influencing the local early childhood environment, including child care and teacher shortages and workforce needs, and explored community points of pride.   

Stops included a Head Start program, in-home child care program, and a new child care center, as well as the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, West Nebraska Division, and the Educational Service Unit 13 regional superintendents meeting.

Future tours will cover central, northeast, and southeast Nebraska, as well as Lincoln and North and South Omaha.