USF Child & Family Studies

06/24/2026

Project iSEBA will wrap up their Summer Institute July 10th.

The four-part summer series featured free, in-person presentations open to the public.

The presentations focus on distance learning and technology, math and literacy instruction, and school leadership strategies to support school-aged children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders.

📆 Final presentation is Friday, July 10, 2026, at 9am

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 & 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞/𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

This presentation will provide an overview of best practices and emerging trends in online and distance learning in today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape. Participants will explore the continued expansion of online learning in K–12 and higher education, including the post-pandemic acceleration of digital instruction and the increasing demand for flexible, accessible learning environments.

Register: https://usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bwmWjMFo32l7hQy

More information about the presentations & presenter bios can be found on Project iSEBA's website https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/cfs/academics/aba/project-iseba/summer-institute.aspx

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? Email Tracy-Ann Gilbert-Smith at [email protected]

USF College of Behavioral & Community Sciences USF College of Education

06/23/2026

Fully funded opportunity for graduate students & professionals.

Interested in adolescent behavioral health, implementation science, and community-based research? The Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health Graduate Certificate Scholars Program is now accepting applications for the Spring 2027 cohort.

🎓 Selected scholars receive:
• Paid tuition & fees for 15 graduate credits
• Paid textbooks, conference attendance, and project expenses
• Faculty and peer mentoring
• Hands-on research experience and publication opportunities

Join an upcoming virtual Information/Q&A Session to learn more:
• August 7 | 12:00–1:300 PM EDT

Applications are due October 15, 2026!

Open to graduate students and working professionals interested in behavioral health, adolescent substance use, mental health, and related fields.

Learn more and apply: https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/cfs/itre/index.aspx

06/18/2026

We're excited to share that the Delivering Innovative Vocational Education through Virtual Reality Technology (DIVE-VRT) program is featured in the Spring 2026 issue of USF Magazine! 🎉

The story highlights the innovative program that is using virtual reality and skilled trades training to help young adults with disabilities build workforce skills, gain confidence, and explore meaningful career pathways. Hear from Chase Bernard, a recent graduate of the program, who graciously shared his story and experience.

The work of DIVE-VRT reflects our department's commitment to creating inclusive opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their goals and thrive in their communities.

We are proud of the faculty, staff, students, and community partners who make programs like this possible.

Read the story at this link: https://usfalumni.org/stay-connected/usf-magazine-official/virtual-reality-job-training-creates-career-paths-young-adults-disabilities



Florida Center for Inclusive Communities - FCIC LAUNCH at USF

06/17/2026

The HIPPY team has moves💃

06/16/2026

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫🤝

Did you know that the The Florida Aquarium hosts special events such as Day of Discovery for guests and their families with sensory sensitivities, autism, and other accessibility needs to enjoy the aquarium?

Created from their partnership with CARD-USF's Autism Friendly Initiative, the aquarium opens their doors and welcomes guests before or after regular business hours to allow exploration of the exhibits with a smaller crowd all while lighting, sound, and special effects are adjusted to reduce sensory triggers and create a comfortable environment.

With training and support from CARD, the aquarium and staff remain dedicated to providing these experiences for individuals and families to enjoy. Partnerships like these help ensure that every family has opportunities to connect, explore, and participate in community experiences that celebrate belonging and accessibility.

This is just one of many examples that at the heart of CFS' work is the belief that 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞.

Florida Center for Inclusive Communities - FCIC

06/16/2026

Check it out! 👀
An OSHA 10 Summer Training is being offered by DIVE-VRT.

We have some exciting news! 📌

DIVE-VRT is hosting a FREE OSHA 10 training course this summer for adults with disabilities!

July 13th-17th
9am to 1pm
Temple Terrace, Florida

OSHA 10 is a foundational safety training course designed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Participants will learn using virtual reality technology and computer based curriculum.

Earn your certification this summer to prepare for roles in construction, skilled trades, manufacturing, logistics, warehouse, healthcare, and facilities.

More info: https://dive-vrt.org/osha-10-cert.html

Seats are limited! Please complete our contact form to register. https://dive-vrt.org/contact.html

06/15/2026

Congratulations! 👏

Congratulations to Madeline Risse on successfully defending her dissertation!

Madeline's dissertation, Using Technology Enhanced Pyramidal Behavioral Skills Training to Train Clinical Staff, marks an important milestone in her doctoral journey and contributes to the advancement of staff training in behavior analysis.

Please join us in congratulating Madeline on this outstanding accomplishment and wishing her continued success. Go Bulls! 🤘

06/15/2026

Congratulations! 👏

Congratulations, Emma Walker, on successfully defending your dissertation!

Emma's dissertation, Evaluating the Effect of Synchronous Music Reinforcement on Treadmill Pace: A Replication and Extension to Adults with ASD, represents an important contribution to the field of behavior analysis.

Please join us in celebrating this significant milestone and wishing Emma continued success in her future endeavors.

06/14/2026

Congratulations 🎉

We’re thrilled to celebrate Ty Castillo for successfully defending his thesis!

06/10/2026

Interested in a career helping individuals with disabilities achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals? 🎓

Attend a virtual information session to learn more about the online Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling & Disability Sciences (RCDS) program at USF.

📅 Thursday, July 23, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

During this session, you'll learn about:
✅ Program curriculum and career opportunities
✅ Admissions requirements and application process
✅ Faculty input and student support
✅ How graduates make a difference in their communities

Register by scanning the QR code in the image or using the RSVP link provided. https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=3vcbdOXi30aNZ4Jgffneqtlu0yIEvHtFiu66Ta782l1UQ1MxRFFaSFlJSlFRSVY2RVVSWFpOTUNESS4u&route=shorturl

Visit the program's website to learn more https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/cfs/academics/rmhc/rcds/index.aspx