State Senator Teresa Ibach honored with Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Champion Award

State Senator Teresa Ibach (District 44) has been named the recipient of the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Champion Award, presented by First Five Nebraska during the Thriving Children, Families and Communities conference on September 16. The award honors Senator Ibach’s exceptional leadership and steadfast advocacy for early childhood education across the state.

A longtime champion of early childhood education, Senator Ibach recently introduced Legislative Resolution 138, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Head Start—the federal program dedicated to promoting school readiness for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from low-income families. In Nebraska, Head Start serves more than 5,300 children annually.

“I am deeply humbled to receive this award,” said Senator Ibach. “The first five years of life are critical to a child’s development. Nebraska’s twenty Head Start programs are not only focused on early care and education—they are strengthening families and laying the foundation for lifelong success.”

Earlier this year, Senator Ibach was a featured speaker at a rally held at the State Capitol in support of Head Start. The event drew hundreds of parents, educators, advocates, and community members from across the state.

“Senator Ibach has been a steadfast supporter of early childhood education, recognizing the early years as both foundational and transformational,” said First Five Nebraska Director Jason Prokop as he presented the award. “She has been a phenomenal ally to Head Start. Her commitment sends a clear message about the importance of giving every child a strong start in life.”

Established in 2022, the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Champion Award recognizes public officials who have made a lasting impact on policies that benefit young children, families, and communities across the state. Previous honorees include State Senator Eliot Bostar, for his leadership on LB754, which created the Child Care and School Readiness Tax Credits, and Congressman Adrian Smith, for championing evidence-based home visiting initiatives and helping to reauthorize and expand the federal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program.