March 23, 2026

Community Conversations: Lincoln's Child Care Crisis

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

6 – 8 p.m. CDT

Andersen Hall, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

In the last two years, Lincoln Littles has tallied at least 10 child care center closures in Lincoln. Affordability is a persistent challenge for providers and parents alike, and bills aimed at easing those costs have struggled to pass as lawmakers address budget shortfalls.

If one of the bills this year fails to pass, one estimate found that 2,500 Nebraska families could lose access to care. Join a conversation with the sponsor of that bill, the executive director of Lincoln Littles and a parent who has struggled to find care locally.

Learn more.

Time is running out! One week left to register

for the 2026 Early Childhood Research Summit

Don't miss your chance to register for the 2026 Early Childhood Research Summit.

This year's Summit is Tuesday, April 28, at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

The summit's keynote speaker is Ying Xu, assistant professor of AI in the Department of Learning and Education and Harvard University. She will examine the role and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on children’s cognitive and social development, and will also consider open questions about whether generative AI tools shape children’s curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.

Summit breakout sessions will cover topics such as early childhood workforce, nutrition and physical development, literacy/reading, social and emotional development, communication and more.

There is a $50 registration fee to attend ($25 for students).The event will include lunch and an evening reception for all registered participants.

Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating. If space is available, registration will remain open through next Monday, March 30.

Here are recent publications from NAECR researchers:

How are Early Head Start Teachers’ Professional Development Experiences Associated with Their Work-Related Stress and Qualities of Teacher-Child Interactions?

Claire Vallotton, Human Development & Family Studies, Michigan State University

HyeonJin Yoon*, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Holly Brophy-Herb, Human Development & Family Studies, Michigan State University

Lisa Knoche*, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Jayden Nord, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Ann Stacks, Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, Wayne State University

Escúchanos, “We do have emotions and we do have feelings”: Exploring How Reflective Consultation Supports Early Childhood Educators

Elita Amini Virmani, Early Childhood Studies, Sonoma State University

Holly Wilhite*, Child, Youth & Family Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Ayumi Nagase, Early Childhood Studies, Sonoma State University

Ann-Marie Wiese, EC Learning & Development, WestEd

Jennifer Silverstein, Infant Mental Health Specialist

Heather Harshbarger, Reflective Practice Consultant

 * Denotes NAECR Researcher

** Denotes NAECR Student Researcher

New! Student funding: Buffett Early Childhood Institute Graduate Scholars

The goal of this program is to increase the skills of doctoral scholars conducting innovative research with implications for early childhood, with particular attention to children placed at risk as a consequence of economic, social, physical and environmental circumstances.

The program provides financial support for doctoral students admitted to candidacy in the University of Nebraska System.

Award budget: $25,000

Proposal due date: April 24, 2026 

Learn more.

Spencer Foundation: Small Research Grants on Education

The Small Research Grants on Education Program supports rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.

Award budget: Up to $50,000

Proposal due date: April 15, 2026



Learn more.

New! Nebraska Young Childhood Institute 2026

June 16-17, 2026

Kearney, Nebraska

Registration is now open for NYCI 2026. This conference will bring together professionals from across early childhood, health, education, courts, and community systems to explore this year’s theme, "Building for the Future," and to spark ideas that strengthen outcomes for children and families across Nebraska.

Learn more.

New! Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference

Call for Proposals

Sept. 22, 2026

Kearney, Nebraska

Join partners from across Nebraska for a full day of connection, collaboration and problem-solving focused on Nebraska’s most pressing early childhood challenges. New this year, conference organizers have issued a call for speakers.

If you or someone in your community has experience, innovative approaches, or working models that would be valuable to share with Nebraskans, they encourage you to submit proposal.

Learn more.

New! Region VII Head Start Association Leadership Caucus

Call for Proposals

Oct. 20-22, 2026

Overland Park, Kansas

Region VII Head Start Association is seeking presenters for the Annual Fall Leadership Caucus. Proposals should be focused on the professional development needs of Head Start/Early Head Start staff to ensure they are provided the tools and resources needed to be successful in their positions.

Caucus attendees will include Head Start & Early Head Start program executive directors, program directors, senior level managers, center site managers, parent leadership, front line staff, specialists and community partners.

Proposal due date: May 22, 2026

Learn more.

SREE Annual Conference

Call for Proposals

Sept. 23-26, 2026

Baltimore, Maryland

The Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness (SREE) is accepting proposals for symposia, papers and posters for its 2026 conference.

SREE invites participants to delve into the methodologies, skills and knowledge areas that education researchers will need to provide rigorous evidence for decision-making.

Proposal due date: April 1, 2026

Learn more.

2026 CYFS Early Childhood Summit

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT

Nebraska Innovation Campus

Don't miss your chance to register for the 2026 Early Childhood Research Summit.

This year's Summit is Tuesday, April 28, at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

The summit's keynote speaker is Ying Xu, assistant professor of AI in the Department of Learning and Education and Harvard University. She will examine the role and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on children’s cognitive and social development, and will also consider open questions about whether generative AI tools shape children’s curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.

Summit breakout sessions will cover topics such as early childhood workforce, nutrition and physical development, literacy/reading, social and emotional development, communication and more.

There is a $50 registration fee to attend ($25 for students).The event will include lunch and an evening reception for all registered participants.

Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating. If space is available, registration will remain open through next Monday, March 30.

2026 Families Learning Conference

Call for Proposals

Nov. 8-11, 2026

San Antonio, Texas

The National Center for Families Learning’s annual conference brings together educators, researchers, policymakers and community leaders to explore best practices and innovations in supporting students and families in achieving their learning goals.

They are seeking proposals that reflect highly interactive and engaging presentations that include strategies and/or materials that attendees can use right away in their work with families.

Proposal due date: April 20, 2026

Learn more.

New! Community Conversations: Lincoln's Child Care Crisis

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

6-8 p.m. CDT

Andersen Hall, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

In the last two years, Lincoln Littles has tallied at least 10 child care center closures in Lincoln. Affordability is a persistent challenge for providers and parents alike, and bills aimed at easing those costs have struggled to pass as lawmakers address budget shortfalls.

If one of the bills this year fails to pass, one estimate found that 2,500 Nebraska families could lose access to care. Join a conversation with the sponsor of that bill, the executive director of Lincoln Littles and a parent who has struggled to find care locally.

Learn more.

2025-26 Methodology Application Series

Featuring Pavel Chernyavskiy

Friday, April 24, 2026

10 – 11:30 a.m. CDT

Location to be determined

The Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics invites you to the first presentation of the 2025-26 Methodology Applications Series.

Please join us Friday, April 24, when Pavel Chernyavskiy, assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Virginia, leads a presentation titled, "Everything is Important and Everything is Correlated: Challenges and Opportunities of Working in Correlated Data."

This presentation will cover several projects rooted in education and public health that feature correlated data, the methodological hurdles and triumphs therein. It will also discuss some opportunities to extend existing models, such as areal indices (e.g. ADI, COI) using spatial models; educational assessment data using Item Response Models; and displayed effect from automatic facial coding software. 

The event is free and open to the public.

Learn more.

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families & Schools

College of Education and Human Sciences

Notice of Nondiscrimination