Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research | | | |
NAECR researcher an integral part of project designed to support children with Down syndrome
Researchers across four universities, including the University of Nebraska at Omaha, are working on a project to evaluate a family-based lifestyle intervention created with families to support healthy eating and physical activity for young children with Down syndrome.
NAECR researcher Michaela Schenkelberg, associate professor of health and kinesiology at UNO, is working with researchers from the University of North Carolina, Drexel University and Duke University to test whether the intervention, called HomeGrown, is feasible and effective in helping families build healthy eating and physical activity routines — core outcomes that could lower the risk of chronic health problems and improve overall quality of life for this population.
Multicampus researchers supported by NIH funding
Funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, the project principal investigator is Erik Willis. Along with Schenkelberg, the research team includes North Carolina co-investigators Heather Wasser, Seema Agrawal and Emmy Clarke; Sarah Armstrong of Duke University; and Drexel's Renee Moore.
As a co-Investigator, Schenkelberg is responsible for co-leading the intervention and measurement components of the study. Her team at UNO also supports recruitment and content development for the project.
| | "We have strong ties to community organizations who serve individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities and have engaged them at various points throughout the development of HomeGrown," Shenkelberg said. "They are very supportive of HomeGrown, and we are all looking forward to being able to provide this resource to families across the state." | | | |
Program tailored to everyday lifestyles
Early childhood is a critical time for establishing lifelong eating and physical activity habits around nutrition and physical activity, and families of children with Down syndrome often face unique challenges. Unfortunately, resources to meet their specific needs are scarce, and these families have been excluded from research on early childhood health and lifestyle interventions.
Building on the framework of Go NAPSACC — an evidence-based program designed to improve nutrition and physical activity in early care and education settings — HomeGrown is designed to develop practical, research-backed strategies that fit into everyday lifestyles.
During the five-year study, researchers will assess feasibility with primary caregivers of children aged 2–6 years old with Down syndrome. Participating families will be randomized to either the HomeGrown intervention or a waitlist control group with a six-month delayed start. Data will be gathered to measure children’s diet and physical activity, and families’ use of evidence-based practices.
Researchers will then test the program’s efficacy, measuring changes in children’s diet quality and physical activity levels. They will also assess how families incorporate healthy eating practices.
"In our preliminary research, we learned that families with young children with Down syndrome are less likely to meet evidence-based recommendations for nutrition and physical activity, yet they struggle to find information and resources to support their needs," Schenkelberg said. "We are pleased to offer HomeGrown to fill this gap and look forward to studying how the intervention helps families continue to support their children’s health and well-being. "
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NAECR Networking: University of Nebraska
Early Childhood Research
Nov. 18, 2025
Noon – 1 p.m. CST
Virtual
This event will highlight the latest early childhood research across the University of Nebraska system. Participants will have time for questions and discussion with presenters.
Presenters include:
The event is free, but registration is required.
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Here are recent publications from NAECR researchers:
A Developmental and Ecological Investigation of Preschool Children’s Environmental Moral Reasoning
Julia C. Torquati*, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Dong Liu, Children, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Hyerim Shin, Children, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
"I Just Don't Know What to Do!" Teacher Preparedness for Multilingual Students of Immigrant and Refugee Background
Lydiah Kananu Kiramba, Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Guy Trainin*, Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
* Denotes NAECR Researcher
** Denotes NAECR Student Researcher
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Would you like to see your work featured here? Contact us at naecr@unl.edu
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NAECR can assist you in finding research partners for your funding applications and staff in CYFS are available to assist with your proposal development for these or other funding opportunities.
Please contact Lisa Knoche if you are interested in building a collaborative team, need assistance with proposal development or would like to discuss funding opportunities for your research.
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New! Spencer Foundation: Small Research Grants on Education Program
The Small Research Grants on Education Program supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived, with budgets up to $50,000 for projects ranging from one to five years.
This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, method or a location.
The goal is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Proposal due date: Dec. 15, 2025
Learn more.
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Applied Analytics & Data Infrastructure Catalyst Program
New funding is available to help Nebraska researchers strengthen their data and analyses in partnership with the MAP Academy. The AADI Catalyst program supports the rigor of high-quality, field-based human subjects research. Successful applicants may receive up to $5,000 in project support from MAP Academy faculty and staff.
Proposal due date: This Friday, Oct. 17, 2025
Learn more.
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New! Maternal Child Health Summit
Nov. 20, 2025
Lincoln, Nebraska
The second annual Maternal Child Health Summit is focused on improving perinatal outcomes in Nebraska.
Session topics include federal and state policy changes that impact mothers and babies, innovative programs to support Nebraska families, maternal and early childhood mental health, trends in Nebraska data, reducing infant mortality and more.
Learn more.
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New! AMCHP 2026 Annual Conference Session & Poster Proposals
Call for Proposals
March 7-10, 2026
Washington, DC
The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs Conference aims to highlight maternal and child health programs’ impact at all levels on women, children and families, and to provide participants with tools and resources to develop, enhance and sustain vital MCH programs and services.
The conference theme this year is “The Power of Connection,” a recognition of the shared journey that profound connections play in shaping a healthier future for mothers, children and families.
Proposal due date: Oct. 31, 2025
Learn more.
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New! Society for Prevention Research; New Horizons in Prevention Science: Multilevel Interventions for Systemic Challenges here
Call for Proposals
May 26-29, 2026
Washington, DC
Each year, SPR selects three special themes designed to highlight specific areas of research relevant to prevention science and the overall conference theme.
The SPR Conference committee encourages basic, epidemiological, etiological, intervention, and dissemination and implementation research submissions across these special themes.
This year’s themes center on multilevel interventions for systemic challenges, and include: 1) Social Determinants of Health; 2) Methodological Considerations; and 3) Implementation and Dissemination.
Proposal due date: Nov. 7, 2025
Learn more.
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University of Nebraska Kearney-Community
Early Childhood Conference
This Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, 2025
Kearney, Nebraska
The 9th Annual UNK-Community Early Childhood Conference is themed "Promoting Knowledge and Well-being for Children, Families and Educators."
Sessions will feature Speaker Jani Koslowski, author of Every Child Can Fly: An Early Childhood Educator's Guide to Inclusion, and Anne Meeker Watson, a music therapist, early interventionist and founder of the SING.PLAY.LOVE.® program.
Learn more.
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Minority Health Disparities Initiative Health Equity Conference
Call for Proposals
Feb. 20, 2026
Lincoln, Nebraska
The Minority Health Disparities Initiative is accepting proposals for the 2026 Health Equity Conference poster session. The session aims to highlight various health equity research projects through brief presentations, allowing for more personal conversation and discussion.
Proposals are welcomed from faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, government organizations, and community members or organizations.
Proposal due date: Dec. 5, 2025
Learn more.
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Administration for Children and Families'
National Research Conference on Early Childhood
Call for Proposals
June 22-24, 2026
Arlington, Virginia
NRCEC 2026 will present the latest research surrounding Head Start, child care, home visiting, child welfare, special education, pre-kindergarten, early elementary and other early childhood programs.
Proposal due date: Nov. 3, 2025
Learn more.
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NAECR 10-year Anniversary Open House
Oct. 28, 2025
8:30 – 10 a.m. CDT
CPEH 227
Join us to celebrate 10 years of engaging in, generating and supporting interdisciplinary research to benefit children age 8 and younger.
Refreshments will be available.
The event is free, but registration is required.
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NAECR Networking: University of Nebraska
Early Childhood Research
Nov. 18, 2025
Noon – 1 p.m. CST
Virtual
This event will highlight the latest early childhood research across the University of Nebraska system. Participants will have time for questions and discussion with presenters.
The event is free, but registration is required.
| | Is there an upcoming conference you want to publicize? A new publication you would like to share? Let us know! | |
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NAECR Student Researchers
Students involved in early childhood research at the University of Nebraska can access a number of resources through NAECR.
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