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CYFS invites proposals for 2026 Signature Research Impact Program

For more than 20 years, the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools has worked to make a positive difference in people’s lives through research in the social, behavioral and educational sciences.

Building on this foundation, the center is launching the second round of its Signature Research Impact Program — a funding opportunity designed to support high-impact research that benefits Nebraska’s children, families, schools and communities. Full Article

MAP Academy selects two faculty to receive AADI Catalyst awards

The Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics (MAP Academy) is awarding $10,000 through a competitive funding opportunity created to enhance the rigor of field-based human subjects research at the University of Nebraska.

These awards were made possible by a grant from the Nebraska Research Initiative. Full Article

Video available for MAP Academy presentation featuring Juan-Paulo Ramírez

Juan-Paulo Ramírez, founder of GIS and Human Dimensions, LLC, leads the Nov. 21 presentation of the 2025-26 Methodology Applications Series at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center on UNL’s city campus.

Juan-Paulo Ramírez, founder of GIS and Human Dimensions, LLC, led the fall presentation of the 2025-26 Methodology Applications Series Nov. 21 at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center.

Video is now available of Ramírez’s presentation, titled, “GIS: Case Studies for Winning Grants, Changing Lives & Empowering Communities.” Full Article

MAP Academy opens call for 2025-26 ‘Catalyst’ proposals

New funding is available to help Nebraska researchers strengthen their data and analyses. 

The Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics (MAP Academy) is seeking proposals for a competitive funding opportunity created to enhance the rigor of field-based human subjects research at the University of Nebraska.  Full Article

Data coordination center being developed to support early childhood workforce

From left, Amanda Prokasky, MAP Academy senior research specialist, and Lorey Wheeler, MAP Academy director, are collaborating with five other universities to develop a data coordination center to provide methodological and analytic support to multiple universities. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

Because university researchers often use different methods and measures, it can be difficult to compare results across studies.

Amanda Prokasky, MAP Academy senior research specialist, and Lorey Wheeler, MAP Academy director, are collaborating with five other universities to develop a data coordination center to support cross-site analyses and help share findings more effectively. Full Article

Researchers address early childhood needs of Nebraska’s immigrant, refugee families

The research team includes, front row from left: Sanya Tuncan-Minden, UNMC graduate research assistant; Kerry Miller, associate director of Munroe-Meyer’s Department of Education and Child Development and UNMC’s principal investigator; Laura Fritz, UNMC graduate research assistant; and Alexis Chavez, MAP Academy graduate research assistant. Back row, from left: Janella Kang, MAP Academy graduate research assistant; Amanda Prokasky, MAP Academy senior research specialist; Lorey Wheeler, MAP Academy director; and Charlie Lewis, project director at the Center on Children, Families and the Law. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

Early screening and support are vital for healthy child development, especially for immigrant and refugee families navigating unfamiliar systems in the U.S.

A recent multi-campus study found that many immigrant and refugee families in Nebraska struggle to access services to address developmental delays or disabilities in children, particularly those age 3 and younger. Barriers include language differences, limited awareness of available services and discomfort with the health care system due to past discrimination or negative experiences. Full Article

Researchers examine parents’ role in aiding children with autism

HyeonJin Yoon, CYFS research assistant professor, is leading the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s role in a cross-campus study exploring how parents’ mental health affects how they communicate with their autistic children. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

For families raising a child with autism spectrum disorder, everyday moments of connection can be difficult. The disorder affects about 1 in 36 children in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and often hinders social communication skills essential for personal, professional and academic growth. Full Article

Study explores factors influencing youth sports participation

Researchers are studying factors that influence participation in youth sports, including where children and adolescents live.

For years, research has shown that active children — including those who participate in youth sports — tend to be healthier than those who are less active.

Ann Rogers, assistant professor in the Department of Health Promotion in the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, is leading a project to understand what influences youth sports participation, including where children and adolescents live. Full Article