Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health at USF

10/03/2026

Way to go, Britlee Yant!

Five students. Five different paths. One shared commitment to making a difference. 💚

The 2026 Serovich Scholars are turning their education into action, expanding access to essential services, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, addressing loneliness among older adults, advancing mental health and creating stronger communities.

The Serovich Scholars Program was established through a generous gift from Bob Clark in honor of his longtime friend and CBCS Dean Julie Serovich. Inspired by Serovich’s ability to connect people and communities, the program supports CBCS students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to serving others.

Congratulations to this year’s Serovich Scholars: Joanna Brown, Maribridget Butler, Emma Devine, Amy Polansky and Britlee Yant!

🔗 Read more about this year’s scholars: https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/news/2026/five-students-carry-forward-the-spirit-of-the-serovich-scholars-program.aspx

09/08/2026

“Being able to share insights about behavioral health research allows us to be part of this conversation and to engage with current and future community partners on many levels.” - Anna Abella, PhD

Faculty from both the Department of Child and Family Studies and the Department of Behavioral Health Science and Practice presented at the Florida Behavioral Health Conference held August 26-28 in Orlando.

Team members from the Baker Act Reporting Center Qualitative Evaluation project and the Evaluation of the Florida Pediatric Behavioral Health Collaborative, shared research data and outcomes from their respective projects.

More information on their presentations is within the article: https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/news/2026/faculty-share-behavioral-health-research-and-insights-at-statewide-conference.aspx

08/17/2026

Course offering within the department of USF Child & Family Studies

University of South Florida USF Child & Family Studies Graduate Students!

Want to become a stronger consultant, collaborator, and change agent?
Join MHS 6607: Behavioral Consultation & Collaborative Systems Change this Fall and build the skills needed to lead meaningful change across schools, agencies, and service systems.

Learn how to:
- Facilitate effective consultation and collaboration
- Support implementation of behavioral interventions
- Evaluate outcomes and drive continuous improvement
- Lead systems change across multi-tiered support frameworks

Fully Online | Asynchronous | 3 Graduate Credits

Perfect for graduate students in behavioral health, education, disability, ABA, leadership, consultation, and related fields.

Instructors: Dr. Heather George & Dr. Laura Rodríguez López

- Contact [email protected] for enrollment information.
- Registration ends August 21. Classes start August 24. Secure your spot now!

08/07/2026

08/03/2026

Alison Brooke Boyd searched for a graduate program that would support both her professional work and her personal life. After years of searching, she found what she was looking for in USF's Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health program.

"I see daily in my work as a child welfare attorney and in my home as a foster parent how this program of study has better abled me to serve vulnerable children and families."

Read more about Alison and other amazing CBCS Summer graduates: https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/news/2026/congratulations-summer-2026-graduates.aspx

07/22/2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing behavioral health, making it more important than ever for providers to understand the ethical, legal and clinical considerations surrounding its use.

The Ethical & Legal Use of AI in Behavioral Health is a FREE, self-paced online course designed to help current and future behavioral health professionals navigate AI responsibly.

Participants can earn 3 Ethics CEUs (Florida Boards 490 and 491) while exploring AI in behavioral health through evidence-informed guidance and downloadable tools to support responsible AI use in practice.

Enroll today and share with your network: https://bit.ly/EthicalAIcourse

07/22/2026

We are having a Back-to-School Supply Drive and we need your support!

Faculty, staff, students, and the community - your help is needed to make this drive a success.

Supplies will be collected until August 4th. These items will help support families registered with Hillsborough HIPPY Parent Involvement Project & CARD-USF.

07/13/2026

A great opportunity for a fully funded graduate certificate program. Check it out.

🎓 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 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. 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/documents/2026-05-itre-recruit-flyer-final.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawTB1WBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFTcGhITDJDRFRRaTd3UzNXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsyI-_3HftGp0YqUGuYaF0KyQScwFIf9X5jeBmZcK04KSnNakQ9gXC1119eS_aem_zG0ETuRDHDo6mV13Cb_aOw

07/08/2026

A great opportunity is available! Check it out.

Now Available: Free Ethical AI in Behavioral Health Online Course + 3 Florida Ethics CEUs

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing behavioral health, making it more important than ever for providers to understand the ethical, legal and clinical considerations surrounding its use.

The Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce is excited to launch The Ethical Use of AI in Behavioral Health, a free, self-paced online course designed to help current and future behavioral health professionals navigate AI responsibly.

Participants can earn 3 ethics CEUs (Florida Boards 490 and 491) while exploring AI through expert interviews and practical, evidence-informed guidance. The course also includes a downloadable ethical decision-making tree to support thoughtful, responsible AI use in practice.

Enroll today and share with your network: https://bit.ly/EthicalAIcourse

Special thanks to our partners at the USF Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing and the University of South Florida Libraries for sharing their expertise and helping develop this course.

05/19/2026

Facing an unexpected financial hardship that may impact your education?

The Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce Emergency Fund provides awards of up to $1,500 for students enrolled in clinical graduate behavioral health programs. Funding may assist with emergency expenses such as housing, utilities, food insecurity, medical expenses, childcare or essential vehicle repairs.

Apply at: https://bit.ly/FCBHW-Emergency-Fund