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NCFR Weekly Zippy News
Friday, Jan. 16, 2026
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In the News
Family Science 5: Research & Researchers in the Media
Catch up on Family Science research and researchers featured in the media last month, including these pieces on family relationships during winter holidays:
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The Conversation referenced Family Relations research in a piece about navigating the holidays when estranged from a family member.
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Forbes included Journal of Marriage and Family research in an exploration of how the holidays can magnify romantic relationship challenges.
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Nevada Today featured a piece by Pamela Payne, Ph.D., CFLE (NCFR member and board president-elect) about stressors that can increase domestic violence rates during the holidays.
READ ALL ARTICLES |
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NCFR Policy Corner
This Week's Policy Highlights
Jan. 15, 2026 | Six-Minute Read
SEE FULL HIGHLIGHTS
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NCFR Resources
Family Separation Resources
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has greatly increased operations in major cities to identify violations of U.S. immigration law, potentially separating individuals on the path to citizenship from their families.
Research published and cited by NCFR finds that families experiencing separation are at risk of lasting harm to their well-being. Research suggests that removing barriers to pursuing permanent status and removing policies that negatively impact immigrant families supports immigrant mental health and the quality of parent-child relationships. View our resource collection on family separation.
NCFR has also gathered resources to help families, educators, and family practitioners talk to children about tragedy and violence.
SEE ALL RESOURCE COLLECTIONS |
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NCFR MEMBER NEWS |
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NCFR Elections
VOTE in NCFR's 2026 Elections Beginning Feb. 1
The Elections Council wants to encourage ALL members to vote in February 2026. We have submitted a nomination slate (ballots will be emailed to members in February 2026) for terms that will be filled at the end of the national meeting in November 2026.
On this year's ballot members will also be able to vote on proposed amendments to the NCFR Bylaws.
NCFR members will receive a link to this year's 2026 NCFR election ballots in their email on Feb. 1, 2026. Check your junk mail, spam, or clutter folders.
VIEW NOMINEES AND BALLOT INFO
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NCFR Grants
Research Grant Proposals Accepted Beginning March 1
NCFR will open the submission period for its two grants on March 1, 2026. All proposals are due by April 1, 2026.
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NCFR Olson Grant: Bridging Research, Theory, and Practice: $10,000 annual grant available to NCFR members working to creatively contribute to the discipline of Family Science by bridging research, theory, and practice in their work. Learn more.
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NCFR Darling Family Life Education Research Initiative Grant: $5,000 biennial grant available to NCFR members and Certified Family Life Educators with the purpose of integrating Family Science research into the practice of Family Life Education. Learn more.
Please note: Application for IRB approval must be submitted prior to submitting the grant application and match the project name. |
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CFLE NEWS |
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CFLE Conversation
Supporting Basic Needs in Family Life Education
Feb. 25, 2026 / Noon - 1 p.m. CT / Free for CFLEs
Facilitator: Barbara Sweeney, MSW, MPH, CFLE, LCSW
Are you a CFLE supporting families' basic needs such as food, housing, health care, education, or transportation? Join this active conversation to engage in discussion with other CFLEs doing similar work!
Ms. Sweeney is the Coordinator of Food Security Outreach at the University of Rhode Island (URI). In her role, she manages the university’s basic needs pantries, serves as a case manager on the Student Support and Advocacy team in the Dean of Students office, and works to enhance food security policy throughout URI.
LEARN MORE & RESERVE YOUR SEAT
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NCFR JOURNALS |
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NCFR Journals
New February Issue of Family Relations Available Now
Plus Articles Published Jan. 4–10
Catch up on the latest research from NCFR's scholarly journals — Journal of Marriage and Family (JMF), Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science (FR), and Journal of Family Theory & Review (JFTR).
In addition to new early-view articles published in the last month, the February issue of FR is now available, featuring articles on family education programs, older adults, coparenting, family health, family finances, and much more.
SEE ALL NEW NCFR RESEARCH
If you are an NCFR member subscribed to one of our journals, you can access articles by logging into your NCFR account. You can also sign up for email alerts.
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CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS |
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NCFR Journals
Deadline Extended to March 15 for JFTR Special Issue
Theme: "Theorizing Families & the State"
The manuscript submission deadline has been extended to March 15, 2026, for a special issue of NCFR's Journal of Family Theory & Review (JFTR) themed "Theorizing Families and the State." Special issue editors are Bethany Letiecq, Ph.D., Deadric Williams, Ph.D., and Caroline Sanner, Ph.D.
Manuscripts are sought that further delineate the ways in which family privilege and oppression are socially structured and reproduced by the state via laws, policies, rules, and regulations in the modern era and how marriage fundamentalism, in particular, operates alongside structural racism, nationalism, sexism, and heterosexism as an axis of power and control.
SEE CALL FOR PAPERS |
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NCFR Nexus
Call for Articles: Exploring Shifts in Work and Education for Family Professionals
Submission deadline: Feb. 1
The spring 2026 issue of NCFR Nexus will examine ongoing changes in work and education and the impacts on individuals and families.
Potential topics include:
- Research about changing trends in work and education
- What support families need as they navigate work, education, and caregiving
- How higher education is preparing family professionals to serve people in this changing landscape.
- Practitioner experiences on how Family Life Education is changing.
NCFR Nexus invites articles from researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers. Submissions are due Feb. 1, 2026, via the NCFR Nexus Article Submission Form.
READ MORE
Questions or ideas? Contact editor Beth Magistad, Ph.D., CFLE, at nexuseditor@ncfr.org. |
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NCFR RESOURCES |
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NCFR Publications
Second Editions of 2 NCFR Books Available for Purchase
Edited by Wm. Michael Fleming, Ph.D., CFLE; and Michael J. Walcheski, Ph.D., CFLE
$79.99 retail. $69.99 for NCFR members and CFLEs
Useful and informative for seasoned and emerging professionals, as well as for students, this textbook provides a comprehensive examination of the profession from the perspectives of many leading family scholars and educators.
The second edition includes four sections that consider the knowledge and skills needed for the effective practice of Family Life Education (FLE) and chapters on FLE with various populations and relevant issues.
Learn more & purchase >
Wisdom for Parents. Key Ideas from Parent Educators
Edited by Elizabeth A. Ramsey, Ph.D., CFLE
$29.95 retail. $25.95 for CFLEs
Family Science professionals from across the discipline share stories, reflection, and poems in this extensive collection of parenting knowledge that can benefit anyone— teachers, researchers, students, and parents!
A variety of relevant topics on the joys and challenges of parenting are woven together to create a valuable resource both in and out of the classroom setting. This second edition includes updated entries, new contributions, and discussion questions.
Learn more & purchase > |
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NCFR JOBS CENTER |
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New Employment Opportunities
Employers: Get your job opening included in Zippy News by posting it in
NCFR's online Jobs Center! Get started here.
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The Family Institute at Northwestern University
The Family Institute at Northwestern University seeks a visiting core faculty member at the rank of clinical assistant professor for its COAMFTE-accredited master of science in marriage and family therapy (MFT) program. This 12-month position combines teaching, clinical supervision, student advising, governance, and maintenance of an active clinical caseload. Core faculty design and deliver outcome-based, culturally competent, and ethical MFT education; assess student and program outcomes; participate in admissions and committees; and support student development from orientation through graduation. Faculty also engage in scholarship, contribute to the profession, uphold a strong MFT identity, and collaborate across programs, with potential renewal or transition to a permanent role.
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Required Education: Doctorate
Application Deadline: Feb. 2, 2026
SEE FULL DETAILS
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Oregon State University - Cascades
Oregon State University–Cascades seeks a full-time, nine-month fixed-term instructor of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) based in Bend, Oregon. The position emphasizes undergraduate teaching, advising, mentoring, and curriculum development, with a strong focus on human services, diversity and inclusion, and trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices. Primary responsibilities include teaching and supervising practica and internships (80%), maintaining professional currency and community partnerships (10%), and service to the program, campus, and community (10%). A master’s degree in HDFS or a related field and demonstrated teaching effectiveness are required; a Ph.D., bilingual skills, and community-based leadership experience are preferred.
Location: Bend, Oregon
Required Education: Master's
Application Deadline: Feb. 20, 2026
SEE FULL DETAILS
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