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Child care study examines whether kids eat healthier when mealtimes are positive

Jasmin Smith, graduate student in Human Sciences–Child Development/Early Childhood Education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is working with Dipti Dev, associate professor of child, youth and family studies and Nebraska Extension specialist, to explore the impact of mealtime emotional climate on child care providers’ feeding practices and children’s dietary outcomes. Learn more about the project in the CYFS Research Network.

As any parent knows, children and vegetables aren’t always a natural match. Research shows preschool-aged children are not meeting dietary recommendations, particularly when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables.

Dietary preferences are set early in life and carry throughout the lifespan, and poor diet is a risk factor for obesity, cancer, type II diabetes and other chronic diseases. Full Article

Study explores pathways to atheism among communities of color, LGBTQ+

Dena Abbott, assistant professor of counseling psychology, is exploring pathways to atheism by examining commonly held notions of what causes unbelief among demographic groups that are underrepresented in atheism studies. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

Nonreligious people are a fast-growing demographic in the United States. For some atheists, the stigma of their unbelief is compounded by other factors.

Adopting an “unbelieving” worldview is a complex process for people of color, members of the lesbian, gay or bisexual community, and the gender-diverse, such as transgender or nonbinary individuals. Full Article

Nebraska education researchers work to build statewide consensus on equity

Taeyeon Kim, assistant professor of educational administration, and Ted Hamann, professor of teaching, learning and teaching education, are building a strong research team to conduct large-scale research on equity-driven accountability systems in K-12 education in Nebraska. Learn more about the project in the CYFS Research Network.

Researchers in Lincoln and Kearney are working to bridge the distance between two University of Nebraska campuses and converge their shared interests on the state’s accountability system to ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed.

The 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act brought greater attention to the need for equity to reduce opportunity gaps in K-12 education, prompting Nebraska policymakers to redesign the state’s school accountability system with an emphasis on education equity for all students. Full Article

Online sexual assault resistance program trains first-year female college students

Nebraska researchers are part of an international pilot project to determine the effectiveness of an online sexual assault resistance program. Learn more about the project in the CYFS Research network.

Sexual assault remains a serious and growing problem at universities throughout the U.S. Studies show as many as one in four college women experience rape or attempted rape before graduation.

On top of its incalculable physical, mental and emotional cost to its victims — disproportionately, young women — sexual assault costs North Americans at least $265 million annually in health care and other expenses. Full Article

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