UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute

09/02/2026

We are pleased to announce that MMI is a partner on recently awarded NU Collaboration Initiative Grant!

Title: Quality of Life & Adaptive Functioning in Adolescents & Young Adults with Down Syndrome

Description: The long-term objective of this work is to improve adaptive functioning and quality of life outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome (DS) during their transition from adolescence to young adulthood. The proposed project is the first step in building a cohort of adolescents and adults with DS to create a longitudinal study of the natural course of development in this critical transition period.

Project Principal Investigators: Dr. Susan Loveall (UNL) and Dr. Jenni Blackford (Research). Collaborator on this project: Heather Porter (Boys Town).

09/01/2026

We are pleased to announce that MMI is a partner on recently awarded PCORI Convening Award!

Title: Convening to Support Engagement in Patient-Centered CER related to Siblings of Youth with Frequent Aggressive Behaviors in Nebraska

Description: This convening project will build capacity for research including knowledge, connection, shared vision, and identification of research priorities to enable patient-centered CER that supports parent and clinician decisions for the prevention, screening, and treatment of mental health symptoms in siblings of children with frequent aggressive behavior.

Project Principal Investigators: Dr. Carol Geary (College of Nursing) and Dr. Jenni Blackford (Research). Collaborators on the project include: Jeff Ordway (University of Missouri-Columbia), Dr. Hannah Grandgenett (Psychology), Dr. Allison Morton (Psychology), Dr. Tara Fahmie (Specialized Behavior Intervention), Dr. Patrick Tyler (Boys Town), Dr. Johanna Bashford-Largo (Boys Town), Dr. Shawn Whiteman (Utah State University).

08/28/2026

Less than a month until autumn starts! What do you look forward to most? Do you decorate with pumpkins, partake in seasonal drinks, cook batches of your family's favorite soup, host scary movie marathons, or even go on a nature walk and enjoy Crunchy Leaf Sounds?

Share your favorites below!

🎃 MMI Trick or Treat Event
📅 Sunday, October 18th
🕰️ 1:00 - 3:00 pm
📍 Munroe-Meyer Institute, First Floor

🍭Register to be a volunteer or to host a candy/treat station:
https://wkf.ms/3Ho4gbf

🍬Visit our website to learn more:
go.unmc.edu/mmi_halloween

Questions? Contact:
Jackie Hankins-Berry
[email protected] | 402.552.6364

08/27/2026

Remember our previous building on UNMC campus? We've come such a long way since then. Five years flies by so fast, and we're looking forward to the next five years and beyond! 🎉

The MMI High Five Celebration will include:
🎨Participant art
📷 A photo booth
🎁Chances to win prizes
🔎Chances to explore our space
⭐Hands-on experiences showcasing services for individuals with disabilities

Everyone is invited! Come and celebrate with us, and bring your family and friends!

📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
🕰️ 10:00 - 11:30 am
📍 The Munroe-Meyer Institute

08/24/2026

📣 Join us for the next Family Care Enhancement Project Information Series!

Learn about EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) and how Medicaid benefits can support children and youth under age 21.

📅 Thursday, September 10, 2026
🕖 7:00–8:00 PM | ONLINE
🎤 Featuring Kelsey Arends, Senior Staff Attorney with Nebraska Appleseed
🔗 Register: https://go.unmc.edu/epsdt

Share with a family, caregiver, or community partner who may find this information helpful!

08/21/2026

🎃Have you started planning your Halloween costume? Do you plan a theme with a group?

MMI's Trick or Treat event is a fun, sensory-friendly event for individuals with disabilities and their families. Treats and trinkets will be distributed at stations throughout the first floor of MMI.

🍭Register to be a volunteer or to host a candy/treat station:
https://wkf.ms/3Ho4gbf

🍬Visit our website to learn more:
go.unmc.edu/mmi_halloween

Questions? Contact:
Jackie Hankins-Berry
[email protected] | 402.552.6364

08/21/2026

August 2026, MMI Monthly edition 📰
https://conta.cc/4fWLOVW

Published once a month, this newsletter features Munroe-Meyer Institute stories that may be of interest to people with disabilities and the wider intellectual and developmental disability community. Each issue highlights MMI initiatives and accomplishments, as well as links to upcoming events and articles from other sources.

08/20/2026

Read about Hope and her amazing journey!

To learn more about the Trailblazer program, visit:
https://www.unmc.edu/mmi/education/cert/trailblazer.html

Hope Kircher's part-time job at the University of Nebraska at Omaha came thanks in part to her experience with the Trailblazers program at MMI. The goal is to help individuals with disabilities discover their potential and find fulfilling careers.

08/19/2026

🎂Join us as we celebrate five years in our new home at Munroe-Meyer Institute!

Families, staff, community partners, and friends are invited to this family-friendly event featuring participant art, hands-on experiences showcasing services for individuals with disabilities, a photo booth, prizes, and opportunities to explore a fire truck and patrol car.

Drop in to celebrate our shared accomplishments and help us imagine the future of MMI together. Cake-cutting and welcome at 10am.

📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
🕰️ 10:00 - 11:30 am
📍 The Munroe-Meyer Institute

08/10/2026

🎃Mark your calendars! MMI's 2026 Trick or Treat event is scheduled for Sunday, October 18 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. 🎃

Come enjoy a fun, sensory-friendly event for individuals with disabilities and their families! Treats and trinkets will be distributed at stations throughout the first floor of MMI.

🍭Register to be a volunteer or to host a candy/treat station:
https://wkf.ms/3Ho4gbf

🍬Visit our website to learn more:
go.unmc.edu/mmi_halloween

Questions? Contact:
Jackie Hankins-Berry
[email protected] | 402.552.6364