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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.

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

Video available for ‘research ethics with minority communities’

Dan Hoyt

Dan Hoyt, professor of sociology, began the 2015-2016 Methodology Applications Series on Sept. 18 with a discussion titled “Research Ethics with Minority Communities.”

Hoyt is a professor of sociology and the associate dean of faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences. His primary scholarly interest is focused on mental health and substance use among high-risk adolescents. He is currently a co-investigator on NIH-funded grants, examining these issues among homeless and runaway youth, and American Indian children.  Hoyt is also interested in general methodological issues, including approaches to gathering data on sensitive topics and how to conduct research with populations that are difficult to sample and access. Full Article

Welch, NU team awarded childcare evaluation grant

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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

Registration available for upcoming Emerging Scholars Series

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The MAP Academy will host the Emerging Scholars Series Dec. 3-4 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The series features Jessaca Spybrook, associate professor of educational leadership, research, and technology at Western Michigan University.

The series begins Thursday, Dec. 3 with a keynote presentation titled “Moving Beyond the Average Treatment Effect: A Look at Power Analyses for Moderator Effects in Cluster Randomized Trials.” This presentation is free, open to the public and requires no registration. Full Article

CYFS co-hosts 2015 Educational Neuroscience Conference

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As the 2015 Educational Neuroscience Conference drew researchers, professors, graduate students and teachers to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, it also brought an emerging field to the forefront of conversation. CYFS co-sponsored the inaugural event, held Oct. 15-16 at UNL’s Wick Alumni Center. Full Article

Niehaus earns grants to study student engagement

Elizabeth Niehaus

Elizabeth Niehaus, assistant professor in educational administration, has been awarded two grants to study Caribbean student engagement in higher education. The American College Personnel Association Foundation awarded a $2,500 grant and the NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators In Higher Education) Foundation awarded $4,650—both projects are housed in CYFS. Full Article

CYFS announces early childhood research academy

Lisa Knoche, director of the CYFS-housed 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