At Sixpence, the goal is to help children get the best start in life that they can, whether that’s supporting them in prenatal stages, or providing care up until they turn three.
Sixpence has programs all over the state, including one for the Seward, Milford and Centennial school districts. Once kids age out of the program and enter school, “the schools tell us that they can tell that we have made a difference,” Morgan Kozisek, Family Advocate for Seward, Milford and Centennial Sixpence, said.
Sixpence is an entirely voluntary program that parents can choose to enroll in at no cost. Funding is provided by a unique partnership between public and private sectors. Currently, the grant for the Seward, Milford and Centennial school districts is held by Seward Public Schools.
In order to qualify to enroll in Sixpence, parents must either have a low household income, be without a high school diploma, be English Language Learners, have a premature or low-birthweight child or be teen parents.
Support can look different for every child, depending on their needs. For prenatal support, Sixpence offers education on how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy and birth, as well as Shaken Baby Syndrome, Safe Sleep and more. Katie Langner, another Family Advocate at Seward, Milford and Centennial Sixpence, and Kozisek are both certified in infant massage and lactation consultation.
As children get older, Kozisek and Langner visit children’s homes three times per month, bringing activities for the children, doing assessments, and making referrals to other professionals if there are any concerns about the child’s development. They also host social playgroups for Sixpence families each month.
In the 11 years Kozisek and Langner have been with Sixpence, they’ve supported not only children, but entire families by helping parents sign up for programs like Medicaid, SNAP and WIC, as well as finding housing and filling out paperwork for daycares.
Kozisek and Langner are currently serving 23 children in the area, and are open for enrollment.
For Langner, one of her favorite parts about working with Sixpence is “knowing that we’re assisting in the parent being confident,” and helping parents to realize they have the skills to teach their child and be successful parents.
“We’re not going in and only working with the child, it’s with the parents,” Kozisek said. “Those parents are their kid’s first teacher.”
During Seward County Gives 2025, Seward, Milford and Centennial Sixpence raised nearly $3,000 for their diaper pantry, as well as for meal planning and nutrition services.
This was Sixpence’s third year participating.
“It’s always an amazing experience,” Kozisek said. “I think a lot of people still don’t know what Sixpence is, and so I think it’s helped to get our name out there.”
“It’s been great for helping sustain our diaper pantry, so we’re definitely glad that’s something that’s available in our community, because not everyone has organizations like that,” Langner said.
Kozisek noted that “the diapers are going out just as fast as they come in,” because the diapers are for anyone who needs them, not just Sixpence families.
If you or someone you know is in need of diapers, contact Morgan Kozisek at (402) 587-1454, or at morgan.kozisek@sewardschools.org. For more information about Sixpence and the services they offer, visit singasongofsixpence.org.
