Digging into the Nebraska Early Development Network (EDN)

Amy Bunnell is currently employed by the Nebraska Department of Education as the Early Childhood Special Education Director. In this role she also serves as the IDEA Part C (Early Intervention) Coordinator and has been the State Part C Co-Coordinator since 2007. She is responsible for administering grants to agencies in support of improving outcomes for infants/toddlers/preschoolers with disabilities and their families. Additionally, Amy provides consultation, training and technical assistance to B-5 early intervention/special education providers/services coordinators, Administrators, public/private agencies, and family members regarding early intervention and special education regulations, policies and procedures. Amy is involved with and co-chairs many state/national projects, committees, and task forces in a variety of areas that promote children’s development, healthy families, community involvement and positive outcomes for infants/toddlers with disabilities. She has 4 years’ experience as a Corrections Case Manager in both Kansas and Nebraska and has worked for over 11 years in Nebraska Child Protective Services, 5 of those years as a supervisor. She earned her degree from the University of Nebraska and resides in Lincoln, NE.

Jessica Anthony is an employee of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care. Jessica began her role as the IDEA Part C (Early Intervention) Co-Coordinator in March of 2021. In this role, Jessica manages 22 Early Development Network Services Coordination contracts, provides regulatory and procedural technical assistance to EDN Services Coordination agencies, and works with colleagues at the Nebraska Department of Education to oversee the implementation of Early Intervention services in Nebraska. Jessica also has over 4 years of experience as an Early Development Network Services Coordinator, working directly with children and families and over 5 years of experience as a Child and Family Services Specialist investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect. Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in child development/early childhood education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.