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Bridging The "Cliff Effect"

According to Voices for Children, a Nebraska family of four with parents who work full-time year-round qualifies for childcare subsidies until the parents' combined earnings reach $23.56 per hour. However, that same family would lose childcare benefits once they reach 200% of Federal Poverty Level. This leaves a gap where achieving self-sufficiency becomes increasingly difficult as Nebraska is one of the few remaining states without a graduated system to lessen family's reliance on financial assistance. This is known as the Cliff Effect because even a slight change in income can disqualify their eligibility subsidies and push them off the "cliff" of self-sustainability.

The bulk of our families live at or below the poverty line and qualify for free or reduced school meals. The American Community Survey reports that households with children under 18 in our service area have a higher rate of poverty than the 12.6% community average.  Many of our parents often work multiple jobs while trying to complete their own education and are sometimes put in a situation of having to choose between basic needs and stable childcare solutions.

At Kids Can, we offer reduced program fees for families who do not qualify for Nebraska’s childcare subsidies. Often one of the biggest challenges for our families is access to consistent high-quality childcare and programs for those families who do not qualify for Nebraska's subsidies. We want to attract families who typically would not have access or be able to consider a consistent, high level of care for their child(ren).

 

 

Who We Serve

Below are demographic statistics from FY21 (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021).

Total Served FY21 Number Percentage
Early Childhood 56 93%
Out Of School 751 7%

 

 

Annual Household Income Number Percentage
Under $15,000 234 29%
$15,000 - $24,999 113 14%
$25,000 - $34,999 164 20%
$35,000 - $49,999 150 19%
$50,000 - $74,999 116 14%
Over $75,000 30 4%

 

 

Lunch Eligibility Status Number Percent
Free or Reduced 702 87%
Paid 105 13%

 

 

Race/Ethnicity Number Percentage
Black/African American 381 47%
Hispanic/Latinx 170 21%
White/Caucasian 146 18%
Multi Racial 84 11%
Native American 15 2%
Asian 11 1%

 

 

Gender Number Percentage
Female 421 52%
Male 386 48%

 

 

Age Number Percentage
2 years old 9 1%
3 years old 10 15
4 years old 23 3%
5 years old 46 6%
6 years old 88 11%
7 years old 112 14%
8 years old 130 16%
9 years old 132 15%
10 years old 100 12%
11 years old 112 14%
12 years old 35 4%
13 years old 10 1%

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