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Description

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s TransformED initiative, in partnership with the Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research, hosted a virtual Community Partner-Researcher Roundtable on May 13, 2025.

The event brought together leaders from Nebraska’s early childhood practice and research communities to identify shared priorities for improving outcomes among young children and strengthening the early care and education workforce. Participants explored challenges and opportunities in this area, with the goal to develop a collaborative research agenda.

Panelists included:

• Jill Bomberger, Head Start director at the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties
• Mark Hald, clinical psychologist, Options in Psychology, Scottsbluff
• Nici Johnson, director of early childhood, Educational Service Unit 13

Learn more: https://transformed-ne.org/early-childhood-leaders-identify-priorities-to-support-social-and-emotional-development/

UNL’s TransformED is a collaborative research initiative that promotes children’s social and emotional development by enhancing early childhood education services, strengthening connections across systems and supporting the workforce. The initiative is funded by the UNL Office of Research and Innovation and housed in the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools.