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CYFS releases 2021-22 annual report

CYFS has released its annual report for the 2021-22 fiscal year. View the annual report: Interactive | PDF

Through all the societal changes of the past few years, the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools has remained focused on impacting lives through research that advances learning and development.

With diverse partners in research, practice and policy, the center continues to work to address the social, behavioral and educational needs of communities in Nebraska and beyond, leveraging research and collaboration to make a difference in the lives of others — from birth to adulthood. Full Article

Nebraska researchers, Iowa educators collaborate to explore prevention of child sex trafficking

Developed by The Set Me Free Project, READY to Stand is a curriculum designed to help prevent sex trafficking, particularly among racially and ethnically diverse children. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network and on the Interpersonal Violence Research Laboratory website.

Although sex trafficking of children is a significant crisis in the U.S., little research has been done to explore prevention. A partnership between the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Iowa’s largest school district is exploring ways to address the challenge. Full Article

Equity-focused research hub aims to bridge gap between university, communities

The NE CARES Hub project team includes, from left, Sarah Zuckerman, Megan Kelley, Virginia Chaidez and Trey Andrews. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

Years ago, when Sarah Zuckerman worked as a special education teacher in Washington, D.C., she saw firsthand the myriad of educational and health needs her students brought with them to school.

Increasing access to more nutritious food, medical care and mental health services seemed to be constant needs she saw every day. Full Article

National study addresses sexual assault among sexual minority men

Nebraska researchers are leading a five-year multi-institutional project to better understand sexual assault experiences of U.S. sexual minority men, and to inform prevention and response efforts. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network and on the IVRL website.

Research demonstrates rates of sexual assault and perpetration among sexual minority men are alarmingly high across the U.S.

Some studies reveal almost half of sexual minority men experience being threatened by sexual assault as adults, and as many as 30% report being sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Full Article

Nebraska researchers expand reach of TAPP family-school intervention

From left, Amanda Witte, CYFS research assistant professor, and Susan Sheridan, CYFS director, are leading efforts to expand the reach of TAPP. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

A family-school intervention program that has seen success in Nebraska and surrounding states is expanding its reach.

Susan Sheridan, director of the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, and Amanda Witte, CYFS research assistant professor, are working with University of Wisconsin researchers to bring the Teachers and Parents as Partners (TAPP) intervention to schools in their state, along with ongoing studies in the region. Full Article

Grand Challenges research effort leverages STEM to inspire climate action

The RISE with Insects research team includes, from left, Susan Weller, director of the University of Nebraska State Museum; Sarah Roberts, Extension educator in science and nature education for early childhood; Ana María Vélez Arango, assistant professor of insect toxicology; Louise Lynch-O’Brien, assistant professor of insect biology and Extension specialist; and Holly Hatton-Bowers, associate professor of child, youth and family studies and Extension specialist. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

After decades of work, many researchers believe climate change poses the greatest global threat to human health — and that youth are the most vulnerable to the impacts and most-dire consequences, both today and in the future.

Black, Latinx, Native American and other youth of color may be disproportionately affected by climate change with deepening inequalities in access to clean air and water, healthy foods and forced migration. Full Article

Grand Challenges research effort aims to prevent sexual violence among Indigenous youth

Funded by a $3.2 million UNL Grand Challenges Catalyst Award, Nebraska researcher Katie Edwards is leading a four-year project to establish an Indigenous-led sexual violence prevention facility on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Learn more about the project in the CYFS Research Network.

For the past six years, Nebraska educational psychologist Katie Edwards has worked with Native American communities and organizations to combat sexual violence — a trauma Indigenous peoples experience at rates higher than any other racial or ethnic group in the U.S. Full Article

RISE Project aims to improve integrated STEM instruction in elementary classrooms

Teachers participate in a STEM education class at Henzlik Hall in 2019. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

By Haley Apel, CEHS Director of Strategic Communications

Because today’s fast-paced world demands constant innovation in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM-related occupations continue to grow at a faster rate than those in non-STEM related fields. Full Article