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TIP Lab to assist Florida law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations with new tool
The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab is launching a new data repository that illustrates the magnitude, trends, and geographic scope of human trafficking across the state. Called TIPSTR, the tool can assist law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations on where best to deploy resources to combat the crime and provides vital information in addressing gaps in victim services and developing prevention programs. Read more.
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USF team unveils virtual reality and AI integration for disability employment training
Collaborators from USF presented at the 2025 Florida Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) Summit in Orlando on Feb. 20, showcasing their groundbreaking project that will enhance learning experiences for youth and adults with disabilities through the use of virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI). The project will integrate virtual reality and AI into LAUNCH-USF, a successful transition and employment program. Read more.
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George Burruss and doctoral students present AI solutions to combat cybercrime and protect seniors
George Burruss, PhD, professor and associate chair of the Department of Criminology, along with doctoral students Courtney Weber and Marlena Bolton, delivered two presentations at Cyber Florida's Sunshine Cyber Conference in Tampa on Feb. 25. Their presentations focused on developing AI tools for law enforcement and victims of cybercrime. Read more.
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School of Aging Studies alumna returns for distinguished lecture series
School of Aging Studies alumna Karen L. Phillips, PhD, returned to USF to present "Advancing Healthy Aging Through Partnerships and Collaboration" as part of the School of Aging Studies and the Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging Distinguished Alumni Lecture series. Following Phillips' presentation, Interim Director Debra Dobbs, PhD, and Professor Emeritus David Chiriboga, PhD, presented Phillips with a plaque of appreciation for her outstanding leadership and scholarship benefiting older adults. Read more.
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Group from CBCS judges the Hillsborough County STEM Fair
CBCS faculty, staff, and graduate students volunteered as judges for the 2025 Hillsborough Regional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Fair held at the Tampa Convention Center on Feb. 12. CBCS sponsored the Elementary Special Award, which recognizes a student or group of students who demonstrate exceptional critical thinking and research excellence in the behavioral and social sciences category. Read more.
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Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Grant Program FY23-24 Annual Report
At the end of 2024, the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse (CJMHSA) Technical Assistance Center (TAC) submitted their FY23-24 Annual Report. The TAC prepares this report and summarizes the 26 CJMHSA reinvestment grant programs throughout the state of Florida. Read more.
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Christina Dillahunt-Aspillaga becomes member of Veteran Employment and Economic Security Research Consortium
Christina Dillahunt-Aspillaga, PhD, professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies, has accepted an invitation to become a member of the Veteran Employment and Economic Security Research Consortium (SERVES) funded by the VA Office of Research and Development. Read more.
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A safe space in a crisis. Inside Tampa General’s new behavioral health hospital
The Tampa Bay Times
"In addition to providing medical staffers, USF will also host the newly established Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce, which is tasked with monitoring recruitment and retention trends and to highlight where behavioral health professionals are most needed across the state."
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Benevides, J., Cividini-Motta, C., & R Mandel, N. (2025). Teacher-Implemented Accumulated and Distributed Reinforcement in the Classroom Setting. Journal of Behavioral Education, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-025-09578-8
Eck, J. E. (2025). What Do We Know About Hot Pot Spots? Does Who Owns Matter?. Crime & Delinquency, 1, 20. https://doi.org/10.1177/00111287251318982
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Littlewood, K. (2025). A Vision to Improve Policies for Grandfamilies. GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy, 8(1), 7.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/grandfamilies/vol8/iss1/7
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Research Roundup
Amy Vargo, PhD (CFS)
Protecting Our Future: Comprehensive Education for Child Protection Professionals
Sponsor: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
10/1/2024-9/30/2027
Amount: $399,626
This award was funded to develop a comprehensive curriculum for child protection professionals and mandated reporters. The project enhances workforce preparedness by integrating evidence-based, trauma-informed training into academic curricula and professional development programs. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the initiative includes a review of existing programmatic content, and focus groups with different types of mandated reporters, aspiring students, and persons with lived experience in order to inform the creation of a series of online training modules, development of a certification track, and expert-led discussions to improve responses to children exposed to violence.
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Defense of a Doctoral Dissertation
Title: Understanding the Interplay Between Nutritional Status and Depression Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Student: Mary Goldsworthy
Program: Behavioral and Community Sciences
Date: Monday, March 10
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: MHC 2625 or Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 231 057 230 767 | Passcode: wh3L5JJ6)
Title: A Life Course Approach to Understanding Preserved Cognition in Late Life
Student: Cassidy Doyle
Program: Aging Studies
Date: Friday, March 14
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: MHC 1621 or Microsoft Teams
Title: A Parametric Analysis of the Effects of Changeover Delay of Challenging Behavior During Functional Communication Training
Student: Amalix Maria Flores Montero
Program: Applied Behavior Analysis
Date: Monday, April 7
Time: noon
Location: MHC 2414
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Upcoming Events & Deadlines | |
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Nominations open for CBCS Recognition Award Program
Nomination deadline: March 15
The CBCS Recognition Award Program recognizes the contributions of two administrative, staff, and/or OPS/temporary employees for their extraordinary achievement in the workplace. Nominations may be submitted using this form. Any supporting documents should be emailed to Elizabeth Correia (eccorreia@usf.edu).
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Nominations open for CBCS Student Employee of the Year
Nomination deadline: March 28
This award recognizes one Federal Work Study student/student assistant (9190) and one graduate assistant for their achievement in reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, and uniqueness of the student’s overall contribution to the department. Nominations should be submitted using this form.
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Fiesta by the Bay for Autism
April 26 | Doors open at 6 p.m.
USF Alumni Center | Registration and sponsorships
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF (CARD-USF) will host its annual fundraiser Fiesta by the Bay for Autism on Saturday, April 26 at the USF Alumni Center. This family-friendly event provides an evening full of fun, entertainment, food, and a silent auction. Funds raised from the event support CARD-USF's Autism Services Fund. Facebook event page: 2025 Fiesta by the Bay for Autism Fundraiser
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Adding News, Events, and Publications to the CBCS Website and Newsletter
If you have news/events or recent/upcoming publications you would like posted on the CBCS website and/or in the Communique newsletter, send the details and any attachments to CBCS Marketing (CBCSMarketing@usf.edu). Please send all newsletter submissions no later than Thursday for inclusion in the following week's newsletter.
Be sure to include all pertinent information (title, date, times, location, event description, and contact information) in editable digital text format. Articles included in the CBCS Communiqué may be disseminated to USF Media outlets and/or beyond.
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