Cozad is taking another step toward strengthening opportunities for local children and families after being selected to participate in the Communities for Kids (C4K) initiative, a statewide initiative focused on strengthening early childhood care and education in Nebraska communities.
Cozad is one of 12 Nebraska communities and regions selected for the 2026–2027 C4K cohort.
Communities for Kids was created in response to community requests for help addressing shortages of quality early care and education. The initiative recognizes that access to quality childcare is important not only for children and families, but also for communities working to attract and retain the workforce they need to grow and prosper.
For Cozad, participation in Communities for Kids provides an opportunity to take a closer look at the community's current early childhood landscape, listen to families and childcare providers, identify challenges and opportunities, and work together on solutions that can benefit children, families and the community as a whole.
The C4K approach centers around three pillars:
ENGAGE — Bring community stakeholders together through ongoing outreach and make early childhood a community priority.
UTILIZE — Gather and analyze data along with community voices to better understand local needs and develop an early childhood plan.
CONNECT — Build relationships through a broader peer-learning network while connecting communities with regional, state and national resources.
The work is especially meaningful as Cozad continues to focus on creating a community where families can live, work and thrive. Strong childcare and early learning opportunities play an important role in that effort, supporting children during their earliest years while also helping parents participate in the workforce.
Cozad's C4K journey will take place throughout the 2026–2027 cohort year and will build on the community's existing strengths while identifying opportunities to enhance and expand local early childhood efforts.
Cozad's future starts with its youngest residents, and this is an opportunity for the entire community to be part of building that future.