The Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission will release a report on Jan. 30 that addresses the challenges facing the early childhood workforce.

The commission, a group of more than 40 Nebraska public and private-sector leaders, includes Nebraska’s Marjorie Kostelnik, a co-chair and professor of child, youth and family studies; Kathleen Lodl, associate dean and 4-H program administrator; Beth Doll, professor of educational psychology; and Sherri Jones, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences.

“Elevating Nebraska’s Early Childhood Workforce: Report and Recommendations of the Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission” is the culmination of three years of effort by a commission formed to tackle one of the most complex and pressing challenges facing Nebraska today — expanding and strengthening the state’s early childhood workforce to meet children’s needs throughout their first eight years of life. The commission, which was convened by the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska, began work in February 2017.

Kostelnik will be the opening speaker at a release event starting at 9 a.m. Jan. 30 at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. Members of the community are invited to attend in person or watch the launch event through livestream on the day of the event.

More than 400 people are expected to attend the event or participate in local watch parties taking place in at least 12 communities across the state. Participants are encouraged to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #earlyyearsmatter.