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9.01.2026

Step Up for Kids 2026: A Community Celebration for Nevada's Children and Families

On September 26, 2026, community members, families, advocates, and organizations from across Southern Nevada will come together for the 19th Annual Step Up for Kids & Healthy Kids Festival. This year's event is a partnership between the Nevada Institute for Children's Research and Policy (NICRP) and UNR Extension, bringing together resources, activities, and support for children and families in one fun-filled community gathering.

The event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Dr. William U. Pearson Community Center in Las Vegas, a vibrant community hub that offers recreational programs, family-friendly amenities, and outdoor spaces designed to bring people together.

For nearly two decades, Step Up for Kids has served as a powerful reminder that Nevada's children thrive when communities invest in their well-being. Each year, the event brings together parents, children, advocates, elected officials, and community leaders to demonstrate widespread support for policies and programs that help children succeed. The event also raises awareness about important issues affecting children and families, including access to early care and education, after-school opportunities, poverty, child abuse prevention, and health care.

The festival offers families an opportunity to connect directly with organizations providing valuable services and supports. Community partners will host informational tables, share resources, and engage families through interactive activities in a welcoming environment. Participation is free for attendees, making the event accessible to families throughout the region.

Organizations and community members looking to make a difference are encouraged to get involved. Opportunities include hosting an informational table, serving as a co-sponsor or supporting partner, and volunteering during the event. These partnerships help ensure the continued success of Step Up for Kids and strengthen Nevada's collective commitment to supporting children and families.

At First 5 Nevada, we know that strong communities are built by investing in young children and their families. Events like Step Up for Kids provide an important platform for connecting families to resources, elevating children's issues, and celebrating the many organizations working every day to help Nevada's youngest residents reach their full potential.

We encourage our partners, stakeholders, and community members to join this inspiring event and help demonstrate that Nevada's children remain a priority for us all.

Event Details

Together, we can continue stepping up for Nevada's children and families.

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First 5 Nevada, a program of The Children's Cabinet, is partially supported with funding from the Administration for Children and Families Child Care and Development Fund through a subaward agreement with the Nevada Division of Social Services, Child Care and Development Program (Grant #G00996005). First 5 Nevada was initially developed with funding from the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5), Grant Number 90TP0099, awarded to the Nevada Department of Education, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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