Our state’s child care workforce plays an essential role in cultivating the next generation of healthy, capable Nebraskans as well as addressing our present needs for a fully engaged and productive workforce. Unless child care programs are adequately staffed with skilled and reliable professionals, they cannot keep pace with the growing demand for these services in all parts of our state. While every area of business and industry requires capable, trustworthy workers, this is especially true of those who care for our youngest and most vulnerable children. The reauthorized federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014 required all child care staff members to complete a comprehensive federal background check and directed all states to implement the necessary policies and procedures to meet those requirements no later than September 30, 2017. States that failed to meet this deadline risked losing a portion or all of their annual allotment of federal CCDBG funds. Although Nebraska missed its deadline, the Legislature passed LB460 (2019) and LB1185 (2020) to bring our state into compliance with federal requirements. (author abstract)