Quarterly
Academic Issue
SPRING 2017
c o l l e g e o f b e h av i o r a l a n d c o m m u n i t y s c i e n c e s
What’s Inside
Rehabilitation & Mental Health............ 2
Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health..3
Applied Behavior Analysis..................... 4
CFS Graduate Certificates..................... 5
Giving to CFS....................................... 6
Mark Your Calendar!
March 25, 2017
Cycling for Autism Fundraiser
Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail
https://www.interbayrotary.org
April 4, 2017
14th Annual National Training Institute
on Effective Practices: Supporting Young
Children’s Social Emotional Development
Vinoy Renaissance Hotel
St. Petersburg, FL
www.addressingchallengingbehavior.org
April 18-19, 2017
Florida HIPPY State Conference
Rosen Plaza Hotel
Orlando, FL
April 26, 2017
Community Application of Behavior
Analysis (CABA) Student Poster Session
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL
Summer 2017
PEPSA Autism Summer Institute
•
d e pa r t m e n t o f c h i l d & fa m i ly s t u d i e s
CFS Continues to Grow in Academic Programs,
Teaching, and Training Grants for Students
T
his issue will profile each of the Department of Child &
Family Studies’(CFS) academic programs.
CFS’s growth from a research and training department to offering Mario Hernandez, PhD, Department
Chair & Professor with grandson Ari
academic degrees and certificates is remarkable. The number
at 2016 CFS Fall Luncheon
of students, as well as the number of both undergraduate and
graduate courses taught by CFS faculty has grown since 2006.
CFS’s undergraduate teaching has grown by 1,154% and its graduate teaching has grown
by 607%!
Most of the undergraduate teaching increase is attributable to the Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA) undergraduate minor, which outreaches to other departments on campus
including Psychology, Communication Sciences & Disorders, and Criminology.
The graduate teaching increases are attributed to all of the three graduate programs
in CFS:
The ABA PhD and Masters Programs
Fully-online Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health
(MSCABH) Program
Master’s in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (RMHC) Program
Student Credit Hours (SCH) by Program AY2015-2016
8,000
7,314
Undergraduate
Graduate
Total
6,000
4,756
4,000
3,129
2,558
2,159 2,159
1,584
1,545
2,000
0
0
Total
ABA
MSCABH
1,175
974
851 851
201
0
RMHC
Other
Six graduate certificates are also offered as part of CFS’s academic portfolio (see page 5).
Certificates provide students with valuable educational experience. They offer the same
courses as the degree program and are open to students across campus.
The following pages offer a general overview of our academic programs. For more specific
details, visit www.usf.edu/cbcs/cfs.
CFS Quarterly Spring 2017 | 1
Academic Programs
Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling (RMHC)
Helping the state and nation meet their human service and
workforce needs through teaching, research and service.
Ranked 24th in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate School
Rankings in 2016, the RMHC Program at USF trains a workforce
of professionals that promote quality behavioral health care for all,
particularly people with disabilities. Both non-thesis and thesis programs
provide high quality teaching and inspire learning in rehabilitation and
mental health counseling and related disciplines. Various courses are
offered to ensure students’ competence in dealing with psycho-social,
medical, psychological, and vocational issues for people with disabilities.
Students may pursue the M.A. degree on a full or part-time basis. The 54hour core curriculum offers concentrations in Addictions and Substance
Abuse Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. Field training
and working directly with consumers is a critical component in the
professional preparation of rehabilitation and mental health counselors.
It provides students with an opportunity to practice concepts and skills
learned in the classroom, and to see how different rehabilitation and
related human service agencies and programs function.
The program is dual accredited by the Council for Accreditation of
Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the
Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), which prepares RMHC
students to become licensed mental health counselors and certified
rehabilitation counselors.
For more information,
http://rmhc.cbcs.usf.edu/
RMHC students at USF: bottom row - Luis Gonzales (RSA Scholar), Pamela Plyler, Erica Carter
Cook, Yamarie Colon; top row - Jessica Yanson, Savannah Sterns, and Bhavana Goel
Rehabilitation Scholars (RSA) Specialized Training Program
This program, funded by
the Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitation Scholars Prog
Administration (RSA), U.S.
ram
Department of Education,
provides scholarship opportunities
for students who agree to work
(for full pay and benefits) in the
public, non-profit, or private
vocational rehabilitation system
after graduation for a designated
period of time in exchange for
tuition and other educational
expenses. In keeping with the
priorities established by the RSA,
the RMHC graduate program is designed to provide the student
competencies in the rehabilitation of adults with complex physical,
mental or emotional disabilities, and to provide a special relevance
to state vocational rehabilitation services and closely related
cooperating private agencies and programs.
Rehabilitation & Menta
l Health Counseling
Program
accepting applications
for its RSA Scholars Progra is
m
RSA Scholar Program
 The RMHC program
has been awarded
a federal
increase the number
of highly qualified rehabilitalong-term training grant to
work within the vocationa
tion counselors available
l rehabilitation system.
to
 This grant provides
scholarship opportun
ities for students beginning
2016. Award amounts
are up to $27,800.0
in
0.
 Scholars will agree
to work (for full pay
and benefit) in the
profit, or private vocationa
public, nonl rehabilitation system
designated period
after
graduation for a
of time in exchange
for tuition and other
expenses.
qualifying
Program Overview
 The major purpose
of the
the supply of rehabilita RSA academic scholarship award is to
increase
tion personnel available
rehabilitation counselor
for employment as
s in public and private
agencies involved in
the vocational rehabilita sector and in nonprofit
disabilities.
tion of individuals with
 The focus of the
project is to integrate
customized employm
(CE) practices into the
ent
core curriculum in alignmen
legislation (WIOA) that
t
with
new
requires public VR systems
employment options
to their menu of services. to add customized
For More Information
Rehabilitation & Mental
Health Counseling
College of Behaviora
l & Community Sciences
University of South
Florida, Tampa, FL
http://rmhc.cbcs.us
f.edu/mastersProgra
m
Dr. Tammy Jorgensen
Smith
Email: [email protected]
Co-Director: Dr. Tina
Dillahunt-Aspillaga
Email: [email protected]
du
Program Director:
The University of South
...Making the world
a better place,
one client & one client
family at a time
Florida is an Affirmative
Action/Equal Access/Equa
l Opportunity
Institution
For more information,
http://rmhc.cbcs.usf.edu/RSAScholarProgram/
RSAScholarProgram.cfm
Professor Rick Weinberg and a group of RMHC students
Chih-Chin Chou, PhD, Associate Professor and RMHC Program Director
Dr. Chou’s teaching and research interests include psychiatric rehabilitation, research methodology, social support,
vocational outcomes for people with disabilities, rehabilitation education, international rehabilitation, and positive
psychology.
RMHC faculty: http://rmhc.cbcs.usf.edu/facultyStaff/
2 | CFS Quarterly Spring 2017
Academic Programs
MS in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health
The Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health
(MSCABH) Program was established in 2014 to support the
growing demand for professionals to serve in public and non-profit
agencies and schools that work with diverse children and adolescents
experiencing behavioral health challenges. More than 50 students are
currently enrolled in the fully online program which includes core
courses covering child and adolescent behavioral health conditions
and services, cultural competency, research design, developmental
disabilities, and policy in behavioral health. A thesis track is designed
for those interested in possibly furthering their education beyond a
masters degree or working in a more research-based setting. An applied
track offers a field experience component.
“If you are looking for a degree that can train you to create
change in mental health, then apply for this program. If
you are an avid learner and want to take that love for
improving the lives of those affected with mental health by
becoming a director or supervisor, then this is the program
– KARI KLEIN, MSCABH STUDENT
for you.”
Concentrations
The MSCABH degree program is unique in that it offers four areas of
concentration within the overall program curriculum:
Developmental Disabilities: Prepares professionals to provide
services for children and adolescents with developmental
disabilities and mental health needs.
Leadership: Students will develop leadership knowledge and
skills in innovation, communication, organizational capacity
building, change management, values-based action, and research
translation.
Research & Evaluation: Students will gain the knowledge and
practical skills of translational research and implementation
science in child and adolescent behavioral health.
“This program has been more than satisfying.
The wide range of courses, the variety of material,
and the excellent networking opportunities have
taught me more in three semesters than I learned
throughout my four years of undergrad.”
– CHRISTINE GITCH, MSCABH STUDENT
2016 ITRE Student Scholars
Specialized Training through the Institute for Translational
Research Education in Adolescent Drug Abuse (ITRE)
Each year, 12-15 students are accepted into a cohort of Institute
scholars who are a diverse group of students representing a variety
of academic departments at USF. The mission of the ITRE,
funded by the National Institute of Health, is to develop, cultivate
and disseminate an innovative model of research education
focused on children and adolescents who have an array of mental,
emotional and behavioral disorders that can have devastating
effects on adolescent development. A unique feature of the
Institute is a team mentoring approach to completing service
learning projects. Community partners and academic mentors
work together to guide scholars in the latest science of alcohol and
drug abuse prevention, intervention and sustainability with an
added emphasis on translational issues of evidence-based practices.
Youth & Behavioral Health: Students will gain the knowledge
and practical experience to effectively infuse child and adolescent
behavioral health principles and values into evidence-based
practice, with an understanding of practical application.
The Institute is designed to cover all costs associated with scholar
experiences, including annual conference participation and required
web-based training. Individuals who historically have been underrepresented in behavioral health services research, or persons who
self-identify as belonging to another under-represented group are
encouraged to apply.
For more information,
http://www.usf.edu/cbcs/cfs/academics/cabh/
For more information,
http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/cfh/itre
Bruce Lubotsky Levin, DrPH, Associate Professor and MSCABH Program Director
Dr. Levin’s teaching & research interests include behavioral health (services, policy, & informatics) and translational
research. He is Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, senior editor of Mental Health
Services: A Public Health Perspective, 3rd Edition, and co-author of Mental Health Informatics.
MSCABH faculty: http://www.usf.edu/cbcs/cfs/academics/cabh/overview/faculty.aspx
CFS Quarterly Spring 2017 | 3
Academic Programs
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Specialized Training through Project ABA
Students at 2015 ABA Master’s Orientation
ABA focuses on meaningful behavior change
to increase the quality of life for individuals in
all walks of life. Our nation’s current demand
for skilled behavior analysis practitioners
is outpacing the field’s current capacity for
training them. To help meet the growing
demand, USF’s ABA Program offers options
for students to reach their academic goals.
The ABA Program has six faculty members,
all productive researchers and excellent
teachers committed to student success. Their
research areas include: ABA in child welfare
(Dr. Crosland), trial-based functional analysis
(Dr. Bloom), translational research (Dr.
Samaha), ABA in schools (Dr. Blair), and
ABA and autism (Dr. Cividini-Motta). There
are currently 16 students enrolled in the PhD
program and a total of 93 students in the
Masters programs. Since the first graduating
class in 2013, 114 students have graduated
with a minor in ABA.
PhD Program
The PhD Program is designed to meet
the Association for Behavior Analysis
International (ABAI) accreditation
requirements and admits a small cohort of
top-performing students with an ABA masters
degree each Fall Semester. Students are exposed
to a broad breadth and depth of research
while working closely with faculty mentors
on dissertation research and independent
research projects. All doctoral students receive
mentored teaching experiences as they teach
undergraduate classes. Graduates will be ready
to assume a position as a faculty member or as
clinical director of a behavior analytic agency.
Master of Science Program
The M.S. Program offers a traditional oncampus experience that provides graduates
with knowledge and skills needed to become
4 | CFS Quarterly Spring 2017
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA).
Students demonstrate knowledge of ABA in
core courses, ABA skills through supervised
practicum experiences, and research skills by
completing a thesis. The course sequence and
practicum are both approved by the Behavior
Analysis Certification Board (BACB). The
Master’s program was recently reaccredited
by the Behavior Analysis Accreditation
Board of ABAI, which stated “program
outcomes are quite strong, as evidenced by
the caliber of students it attracts, the students’
steady progression toward graduation and
meaningful employment, high BCBA exam
pass rates, and their sustained contribution to
the profession and field of behavior analysis.”
All students accepted in the ABA Master’s
Program are eligible to apply to participate in
Project ABA, which aims to prepare students
to contribute to evidence-based practices
(EBP) in ABA for children with autism
spectrum disorders. With funding provided
by the U.S. Department of Education,
Office of Special Education Programs, the
program provides course work and practicum
experience which prepares students to
graduate with a Master’s degree in ABA as well
as with a Board Certified Assistant Behavior
Analyst certification and a graduate certificate
in Positive Behavior Support.
Project ABA recipients receive:
Paid tuition (in-state rate)
Out-of-state tuition waiver available
for non-Florida residents
A yearly stipend for full-time
12-month participation
Financial assistance for conference
attendance and textbooks
For more information, visit
http://aba.cbcs.usf.edu/projectABA/
Master of Arts Online Program
The M.A. Program provides coursework and
practicum experience needed to become a
BCBA. Students complete their course work
online and complete their directed research
and practicum training in a local agency,
school, or other approved site. The course
sequence and practicum are both approved by
the BACB.
Undergraduate Minor
The ABA Minor, which consists of five courses
taken in a sequence, meets the requirement
for certification as a Behavior Analyst.
Continuing Education Credits
Online CE learning modules are sponsored by
Dr. Ray Miltenberger, approved continuing
education (ACE) provider of Type 2
continuing education hours for BCBA and
BCaBA certificants. Courses are designed for
the practicing BCaBA or BCBA or anyone
who works with individuals with problematic
behaviors.
For more information on all the ABA
programs, visit
http://aba.cbcs.usf.edu/
Project ABA students L to R:
Roberto Andrade-Plaza, Ashley Bewley, Michael Marotta,
Chelsea Schubiger and Taylor Narozanick
Raymond
Miltenberger,
PhD, BCBA-D
Professor and
Director, ABA
Program
Dr. Miltenberger
is the author of an internationally
used textbook and a leader in the field
as a Fellow and former President of
the Association for Behavior Analysis
International. He is well known for his
research in a number of areas including
safety skills training for children.
ABA Faculty: http://aba.cbcs.usf.edu/
Academic Programs
CFS Graduate Certificates
Graduate certificates are specialized graduate-level credentials reflecting knowledge of the
most up-to-date research in the selected field. Once completed, the certificate is notated on
transcripts, and a USF certificate of completion is awarded. Certificate completion increases a
student’s competitiveness, enhances their performance, and helps prepare them for the changing
nature of business. Certificates generally take one to two years to complete, depending on course
load per semester and course schedule offerings. Up to 12 credits are eligible to transfer to a
graduate degree.
Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling (15 credits)
Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling is primarily designed for graduate students in
rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, or other human
services disciplines, or for human services professionals who desire to learn about addictions and
substance abuse counseling.
www.usf.edu/innovative-education/graduate-certificates/programs/addictions-and-substanceabuse-counseling.aspx
Children’s Mental Health (15 credits)
Children’s Mental Health provides a rigorous, empirically-based education to individuals in the
behavioral health services field who wish to work with agencies and systems that serve children
and families with mental health challenges. Students will learn to assist children at different
developmental stages, within the contexts in which they live.
www.usf.edu/innovative-education/programs/graduate-certificates/childrens-mental-health.aspx
CABA Poster Session
The ABA master’s program hosts an annual
poster session highlighting the work of
students during their practicum placements.
The 2017 Community Application of
Behavior Analysis (CABA) student poster
session will be held on April 26 from 2 – 5
PM at the USF College of Behavioral &
Community Sciences. Alumni, community
partners, faculty, staff and USF students are
all encouraged to attend.
Leadership in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health (15 credits)
Leadership in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health provides students with tools and
strategies for leading organizations that serve the behavioral health needs of children, youth,
and their families in a variety of contexts including mental health, education, juvenile justice,
and child welfare.
www.usf.edu/innovative-education/graduate-certificates/programs/child-and-family-studies.aspx
Marriage and Family Therapy (15 credits)
Marriage and Family Therapy enables professionals in the mental health counseling,
rehabilitation counseling, counselor education, social work, psychology, and other human
service fields to enhance their knowledge and skills in marriage and family therapy.
www.usf.edu/innovative-education/graduate-certificates/programs/marriage-and-family-therapy.aspx
Positive Behavior Support (12 credits)
Positive Behavior Support is one of few in the nation and designed for educators, school or
mental health administrators, school psychologists, social workers, school counselors, and
behavioral health staff who want to specialize in an evidence-based approach to resolving
challenging behavior, and supporting the prosocial behavior of children and youth within
schools and early education settings.
www.usf.edu/innovative-education/graduate-certificates/programs/positive-behavior-support.aspx
Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health (15 credits)
Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health is part of the Institute for Translational
Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health that provides a team mentoring approach with
student researchers and professionals in the field.
http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/itrabh/index.htm
Professor Blair and an ABA master’s student Katie Cameron
at the 2016 CABA Poster session
CFS Quarterly Spring 2017 | 5
Academic Programs
Tampa Interbay Rotary Club Provides
Scholarship Fund through Annual
Cycling for Autism Event
Since 2010, the Tampa Interbay Rotary Club
Cycling for Autism Fundraising event has
raised over $165,000 to support programs in
the Tampa Bay community focused on helping
individuals with autism and their families. They
have supported CARD-USF’s many efforts in
the community, as well as a scholarship fund
for students in the Applied Behavior Analysis
program at USF.
Giving to CFS
Please consider partnering with us in our efforts to support
student research, scholarship and activities. Donations can
be made online, or by mail. For more information, visit
http://cfs.cbcs.usf.edu/donations/, or contact Lisa Isenbeck
at (813) 974-2327, or [email protected].
Anna Garcia, ABA doctoral
student and recipient of the
Tampa Interbay Rotary ABA
Scholarship Fund
Anna Garcia, current recipient of the Tampa
Interbay Rotary ABA Scholarship has used the funds to conduct
her research, which is focused on enhancing parent participation,
improving behavioral services and access to services for Hispanic
children with autism, and helping kids with autism cope with
teaching demands.
“We are proud to be able to
offer this scholarship to a
well-deserving student,” said
ABA Director, Dr. Raymond
Miltenberger. “As we continue
to build tomorrow’s workforce
through combined coursework
and practicum experiences, we
appreciate the fundraising efforts
of the Tampa Interbay Rotary.”
The 2017 Cycling for Autism
event, which encourages both
onsite and virtual riders, will be
held March 25 at the Courtney
Campbell Causeway Trail.
For more information, visit www.RotaryCyclingForAutism.org
530025 ABA Student Assistance Fund supports the student work
and initiatives of the Applied Behavior Analysis doctoral
programs. Expenses may include items such as equipment
for student projects/research, scholarships, travel expenses
for students to conferences and assistance with the costs
of data collection/analysis.
421270 Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling Fund provides
support for faculty research and development, student
loans, receptions for students and professionals who
volunteer time for lectures, field training supervision, etc.,
and other professional and training benefits not currently
provided by the university.
420013 Marriage and Family Therapy Program Fund helps
professionals in mental health, rehabilitation counseling,
counselor education, social work, psychology, and other
human service fields to enhance their knowledge and
skills in marriage and family therapy.
530021 RMHC Student Textbook Scholarship Fund helps RMHC
students defray the cost of graduate course textbooks.
420033 Calvin M. Pinkard Scholarship Fund provides support
for RMHC graduate students pursuing a degree
in Rehabilitation and Mental Health involved in
community service activities with a 3.0 GPA.
To find out more about specific programs, visit our website at
http://cfs.cbcs.usf.edu/donations.
The CFS Quarterly is produced by the Department of Child & Family
Studies within the College of Behavioral & Community Sciences at
the University of South Florida.
Department Chair: Mario Hernandez, PhD
Editor: Storie Miller
Newsletter Design: Dawn Khalil
Previous copies of the CFS Quarterly can be found at
www.usf.edu/cbcs/cfs/
ABA Director Dr. Raymond Miltenberger, CARD-USF Director Dr. Karen Berkman with Tampa
Interbay Rotary Representatives and CFS 2016 Outstanding Community Partners Ken Hopkins
and Doug Smaus.
6 | CFS Quarterly Spring 2017