Kidsights Data at the University of Nebraska Medical Center

09/10/2026

We’re proud to have the Overdeck Family Foundation as a funder of Kidsights Data. Their approach to data aligns closely with ours, as demonstrated in a recent blog post exploring how to create high-quality learning experiences at scale.

“Better data can help the field move faster and learn more…Attendees agreed that the purpose of data collection is to ultimately create better information that helps families, educators, program leaders, policymakers, and funders make stronger decisions, so more children are ready for elementary school and beyond.”

At Kidsights Data, we’re focused on equipping leaders with the information they need to ensure children and families have the programs and supports necessary to thrive.

Our team's lessons from an early childhood convening exploring what it will take to expand high-quality early learning at scale.

08/31/2026

The People and Partnerships Worksheet, a communications ecosystem audit tool, is a technique to help establish an understanding of key stakeholders with relevant influence in a defined geographic area. This worksheet helps users through a process to think about and document the people and organizations that are the key stakeholders with influence in the assessment area.

You can get it on our website:
https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/_documents/research/multi-disciplinary-programs/kidsights/databrief-peoplepartnershipsworksheet.pdf

08/27/2026

New here? Kidsights Data, housed within the UNMC College of Public Health, is dedicated to helping communities understand how children and families are doing through trusted research and insights. Welcome! You can learn more about our work on our website: https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/research/multidisciplinary-programs/kidsights/index

08/24/2026

The Kidsights Measurement Tool is a validated parent-report measure, usually completed in an online survey, to measure typical early development at the population level within the United States.

The data from the Kidsights Measurement Tool is a valuable resource for understanding how infants and children are developing in a defined geographic area. Kidsights results can be used to report on overall development for groups of children when measured in the context of factors associated with disparities, such as family income, education, geography and other family characteristics.

Once these insights are available, decision makers in programming, public health, philanthropy, legislators and others will have access to a previously unknown set of data that can help guide decision making.

08/20/2026

At Kidsights Data, we believe that data can help improve the lives of young children. Data helps answer questions like: Are families finding child care? Are children meeting developmental milestones? Are parents getting the support they need? Those answers shape better policies and programs.

08/17/2026

Families raising children with special needs often face additional barriers. Our latest brief explores challenges around child care, employment, and meeting basic needs, and what those findings mean for Nebraska families. Read it here:https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/_documents/research/multi-disciplinary-programs/kidsights/kidsight_sped-brief.pdf

08/13/2026

💡Research Update:

Kidsights Data has partnered with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families to bring the Kidsights Measurement Tool to communities across the state.

Working alongside NORC at the University of Chicago , we've completed a statewide survey of parents with children from birth to age 5, gathering insights into the experiences and factors that shape early childhood development. Our team is now analyzing the data.

The findings will help inform policymakers, child care leaders, health care providers, and community partners as they work to create stronger outcomes for Minnesota's youngest children and their families.

We look forward to sharing what we learn in the months ahead. Stay tuned!

08/10/2026

We have the privilege of hosting Dr. Katherine Paschall from Child Trends in Omaha in July and loved learning more about her work. National data from Child Trends is providing a more complete picture of how young children are developing before they enter kindergarten.

The Healthy and Ready to Learn (HRTL) measure, developed for the National Survey of Children's Health, looks beyond a single milestone to assess children's development across five key areas.

Together, these domains help us better understand whether children ages 3–5 are on track for a healthy start in school—and where families and communities can provide additional support. You can explore the dashboard here: https://www.childtrends.org/publications/healthy-ready-learn-national-state-data-3-4-5-year-old

08/06/2026

Every number represents a real family. That's why Kidsights doesn't stop at collecting survey responses. We work to understand what that data represents for the families we survey. Read about it in our latest newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/july-2026-latest-news-from-kidsights-data-kidsightsdata-szh2c

08/04/2026

We're excited to share that Kidsights Data will be presenting at the Thriving Children, Families & Communities Conference this September!

Our session will explore new statewide data from more than 2,700 Nebraska families, offering insights into childcare access, affordability, family well-being, and early childhood development. We'll also discuss how these findings are being translated into action through partnerships with First Five Nebraska to inform policy, strengthen advocacy, and support better outcomes for children and families.

Learn more and register for this free conference: https://thrivingchildrenconference.vfairs.com/