Michael Epstein, who earned a 2015 Innovation, Development and Engagement Award, has dedicated his 15 years at UNL to improving the lives of children with behavioral and mental health disorders.

His research led to a major shift in the field of child mental health. Treatment is now administered by focusing on a child’s strengths, while narrowing the focus on their deficits.

Epstein’s strength-based approach combatted issues of negative clinician bias. The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences then asked Epstein to guide the development of a “what works” guide that focused on reducing problem behavior in the classroom. It is now the most downloaded practice guide produced by the department.

Epstein also initiated the Center for Child and Family Well-Being, a partnership between UNL and the Boys Town National Research Institute in Omaha.

“You have a large social organization committed to helping children and you have a large research university committed to pursuing science and research,” Epstein said. “So you combine the best of both worlds. It has become a very large, natural laboratory and everybody benefits.”

Over the years, the Boys Town/university partnership has attracted federal research funding and produced results. Research uncovers proven strategies that help children and families.

“I work with an excellent team … UNL students, the UNL research staff and my colleagues at Boys Town,” Epstein said. “Sometimes I pinch myself because I can’t believe I actually get paid for this.”