New funds will launch new lecture series and children’s app

The Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families recently received a grant and gift that will positively impact children, youth and families. 

A $657,000 grant from the Gates Foundation will make the popular “Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders” measure, researched and developed in the center, into an app.

The new app, developed in partnership with colleagues at the University at Buffalo and Fablevision, will allow children to play the game on their own and is part of the foundation’s Early Measures Initiative that develops innovative ways to measure children’s readiness for kindergarten. 

A gift from Dinah and Steve Nicholson will fund the Schild Nicholson Brain Injury and Neurodiversity Lecture Series. The endowed series, focused on brain injury, neurodiversity, brain development and cognitive development, will include an invited research speaker paired with skill-based workshops for students, parents, parenting educators, teachers, professionals and the community at large. 

According to Katherine E. Smith Healthy Children and Families Professor and HFC Director Megan McClelland, there’s a significant need for this type of information and training.  

“Everyone’s brain functions differently, and we need better research and information on how to support children and youth with neurodiversity,” she says. “You have labels, such as autism, and expect that everyone with that condition is the same. But we know that’s not true. 

“It’s important for everyone to appreciate the wide variety of skills and strengths that children bring.  We’re so grateful to the Nicholsons for helping us expand the impact of this important work on neurodiversity in children, youth and families.” 

Dinah Nicholson graduated from OSU’s College of Home Economics, which over the years transformed into the College of Health.