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CYFS joins UNL-Brazil early childhood partnership

CYFS faculty and affiliates are embarking on a new early childhood research partnership with Brazil. Faculty involved in the initiative include, back row, from left, Greg Welch, Soo-Young Hong, Lisa Knoche, Christine Marvin and Cody Hollist, and front row, from left, Natalie Williams, Michelle Howell Smith, Kathleen Rudasill and Amanda Witte. Not pictured are Carolyn Pope Edwards, Helen Raikes and Paul Springer.
CYFS faculty and affiliates participated in a meeting May 18-19 to begin a UNL-Brazil initiative in early childhood research. Faculty who attended the meeting include, back row, from left, Greg Welch, Soo-Young Hong, Lisa Knoche, Christine Marvin and Cody Hollist, and front row, from left, Natalie Williams, Michelle Howell Smith, Susan Sheridan, Kathleen Rudasill and Amanda Witte. Not pictured are Carolyn Pope Edwards, Helen Raikes and Paul Springer. Visit meeting website View photo gallery

CYFS joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in launching an early childhood research initiative with Brazil during a meeting held May 18-19 in São Paulo.

The working meeting drew 60 early childhood scholars, policymakers and educators from Brazil and UNL with the purpose of forming collaborative teams to conduct future research. UNL’s representation included 13 faculty members from CYFS and the College of Education and Human Sciences. Full Article

CYFS earns $6.5 million for early childhood studies, national leadership

CYFS  has earned federal funding to study Nebraska early childhood education,  and was also chosen to lead the project's national research network. The team includes (back row, from left) Greg Welch, Mark DeKraai, Jim Bovaird, (front row, from left) Lisa Knoche, Iheoma Iruka and Susan Sheridan. (Craig Chandler/University Communications)
CYFS has earned federal funding to study Nebraska early childhood education, and was also chosen to lead the project’s national research network. The team includes (back row, from left) Greg Welch, Mark DeKraai, Jim Bovaird, (front row, from left) Lisa Knoche, Iheoma Iruka and Susan Sheridan. (Craig Chandler/University Communications). View video.

The Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools has earned $6.5 million to shape Nebraska early childhood practices and policies, while leading a national network committed to improving children’s outcomes.

The project is part of the multi-institutional Early Learning Network, a $26 million research initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences. Full Article

CYFS awarded $2.5 million to advance early childhood development

The Getting Ready 0-3 research team, from left: Lisa Knoche, Susan Sheridan, Helen Raikes, Christine Marvin and Leslie Hawley.
CYFS researchers have received $2.5 million in funding to advance early childhood development with the Getting Ready research intervention. Lisa Knoche (left) leads the study, along with Susan Sheridan, Helen Raikes, Christine Marvin and Leslie Hawley.

With $2.5 million in federal funding, a CYFS research team is exploring the power of partnerships to benefit Nebraska’s youngest children.

Led by Lisa Knoche, CYFS research associate professor, the team aims to improve developmental outcomes—specifically language and social-emotional skills—for infants and toddlers. Their project is one of four national studies funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. Together, research findings will inform local and national Early Head Start programs, which provide early childhood services for low-income families. Full Article

Welch, NU team awarded childcare evaluation grant

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Greg Welch, CYFS research associate professor, far right, is leading a recently funded project to evaluate childcare quality. The research team includes, from left, Iheoma Iruka, director of research and evaluation at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, and Helen Raikes and Julia Torquati, UNL professors of child, youth and family studies.

While childcare shapes the trajectory of future generations, evaluating its impact is far from child’s play.

Led by Greg Welch, CYFS research associate professor, a multi-campus University of Nebraska team has received funding to evaluate and inform childcare quality. The CYFS-housed project, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, will pinpoint the minimum thresholds of childcare quality needed to promote positive development and prevent negative outcomes for children birth to age five. Full Article

CYFS announces early childhood research academy

Lisa Knoche, director of the CYFS-housed Nebraska Early Childhood Research Academy
Lisa Knoche, director of the Nebraska Early Childhood Research Academy

As a strategic partner in UNL’s renewed commitment to early childhood, CYFS announced the formation of the Nebraska Early Childhood Research Academy Sept. 24.

Led by Lisa Knoche, CYFS assistant director for research, the CYFS-housed academy will include interdisciplinary partners across all University of Nebraska campuses, as well as the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and community and state agencies. Full Article

Video presentation available for visiting Brazilian researcher

Economist Ricardo Paes de Barros discusses Brazil's early childhood programs and progress Aug. 11 at UNL.
Economist Ricardo Paes de Barros discusses Brazil’s early childhood programs and progress Aug. 11 at UNL. View video presentation.

To mark the start of an emerging partnership with Brazilian early childhood researchers, CYFS hosted Brazilian economist Ricardo Paes de Barros for an early childhood presentation Aug. 11 at the Nebraska Union.

In his address, “The status of early childhood development in Brazil and its progress over the past decade: Programs, outcomes and legislation,” Barros presented original research and discussed key topics, including: Full Article

Barros to present Brazil’s early childhood progress

CYFS will host Ricardo Paes de Barros, a leading Brazilian economist, for a Aug. 11 presentation on the state of early childhood in Brazil.
CYFS will host Ricardo Paes de Barros, a leading Brazilian economist, for an Aug. 11 presentation on the state of early childhood in Brazil.

To mark the start of an emerging partnership between UNL and Brazilian early childhood researchers, the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools will host Ricardo Paes de Barros, a leading Brazilian economist, for a 10 a.m. presentation Aug. 11 at the Nebraska Union. Full Article