Childcare survey seeks to help reduce Omaha poverty

OMAHA — In a quest to reduce poverty, Omaha leaders on Thursday launched a citywide parent survey on childcare.

Representatives of the state’s most populous city — which, along with Lincoln, was mandated by a 2024 state law to create a Poverty Elimination Action Plan — will use survey findings to help its mayor shape new policy, grant or legislative recommendations.

No funding was attached to the state law, but Omaha leaders said they were taking the mandate seriously and earlier identified goals in focus areas that include affordable housing, job training and healthcare access. 

During a news conference, Mayor John Ewing Jr. noted that execution of the five-year anti-poverty plan is one of his top priorities. He said access to affordable childcare — which has been a stated goal of the Legislature as well — is key to family success. 

Ewing said Omaha’s research shows that 7% of a household’s gross salary is what should go toward child care.

“That is not happening anywhere in the City of Omaha at this point that I’m aware of, so if we can look at ways to reduce the cost, then we keep dollars in people’s pockets,” Ewing said, linking childcare with anti-poverty efforts. 

To date, the city’s working group on early childhood education and childcare has gathered data and held focus groups with providers and parents. The group of about 20, which includes representatives of nonprofits and childcare providers, wanted more feedback.

Now the survey, which is anonymous and closes Nov. 25, is open to all Omahans who are parents or guardians of kids 12 and under. Questions, offered in English and Spanish, seek insight on demographics, costs, barriers and suggested changes.

“Childcare is very important when addressing poverty, and it’s also a key economic driver,” said Cailin Daly Dejillas, Omaha’s city human rights and relations director, who is helping to lead the anti-poverty effort. “Please weigh in through the survey.” 

Omaha’s 164-page poverty elimination plan was adopted by the Omaha City Council in 2025 in response to the law introduced by state Sen. Terrell McKinney of north Omaha, whose aim was to improve economic circumstances for low-income families across the state. Lawmakers ultimately narrowed the mandate to apply only to Omaha and Lincoln.

Also helping to coordinate Omaha’s plan is the Nebraska Center for Justice Research of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Dejillas said UNO researchers will analyze the childcare survey results and focus group responses, and she expects those results early next year.