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This is My Brave – College Edition returns at USF
USF students took the stage at the Peter and Cynthia Zinober Concert Hall at the USF School of Music to share stories of their lived experiences with mental illness and substance use disorder. Hundreds of audience members filled the concert hall to support the cast and join the movement to eliminate stigma. Read more.
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USF’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities brings water safety message to local school
Students at the Florida Autism Center of Excellence learned a life-saving lesson through the story of a baby otter when the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF visited their campus. Read more.
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CSD students and faculty present at American Auditory Society conference
Students and faculty from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) attended the American Auditory Society conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, Feb. 26-28, where several earned competitive national awards and presented their research in audiology and hearing science. Read more.
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School of Aging Studies alumna shares work at Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series
Melissa Castora-Binkley, PhD, senior research director at the Pharmacy Quality Alliance, returned to USF to share her expertise on the Medication Therapy Management program under Medicare Part D, which serves older adults enrolled in the program. The presentation was part of the School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series. Read more.
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Faculty and staff from CBCS judge Hillsborough County STEM Fair
CBCS faculty and staff volunteered as judges at the annual Hillsborough Regional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Fair held at the Tampa Convention Center on Feb. 18. They reviewed posters in the behavioral and social sciences category and discussed each project with its presenter. Read more.
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SWIRL student scholars present at the Florida Undergraduate Research Leadership Summit
Social Work Interdisciplinary Research Lab (SWIRL) scholars presented an interactive workshop highlighting the experiences of South Asian immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence at the Florida Undergraduate Research Leadership Summit, hosted by Florida International University, from Feb. 13-14. Read more.
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Alex Knorre presents research at Interdisciplinary Policing Workshop
Alex Knorre, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Criminology, presented his research on racial disparities in gun homicides alongside John MacDonald of the University of Pennsylvania at the Interdisciplinary Policing Workshop, held Feb. 27-28 at the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University. Read more.
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Behavioral health professionals are now eligible for the FRAME program
Behavioral health professionals are now eligible for the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program.
Psychologists, LCSWs, LMFTs, LMHCs, and psychiatric APRNs practicing in designated HPSAs may receive up to $150,000 over four years to offset qualified student loans and educational expenses. The 2026 application window is open through April 30. Learn more at FloridaHealth.gov/FRAME.
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Funding opportunity: USF Center for Hospice, Palliative Care & End-of-Life Studies Pilot Research Grant
The Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Studies at USF has announced the availability of a Pilot Research Grant for the 2026-2027 calendar year. Up to $25,000 is available to support original research focused on palliative care and end-of-life issues.
This grant is intended to fund expenses directly related to research, including data collection, data analysis, and collaborative activities with community partners. One award is available for this funding cycle. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no submission deadline. It is encouraged that interested applicants submit during the spring through May 31, 2026. Apply here or submit your application to PalliativeCare@usf.edu.
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Savannah Guthrie may never know what happened to her loved one. In the US, she’s not alone
The Guardian
“'They’re hoping that where one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand dollars was not enough, one million could be enough to convince someone who is in this to come forward,' said Bryanna Fox, now a criminologist at the University of South Florida."
USF experts say fake Iran images show ‘war of public opinion,’ use of AI as a weapon
News Channel 8
“'In the current geopolitical context, AI has allowed propaganda at scale, and it’s really hard for individuals to know what information is real,' said Dr. Jordan Howell, an assistant professor in USF’s Department of Criminology."
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'She may already be gone': Hope and harsh realities mark 24th day in Nancy Guthrie search
ABC News 6
"C. Jordan Howell, a criminologist who teaches at the University of South Florida, said most elderly missing persons found alive are located within the first few days."
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Deshmukh, S. S., & Miltenberger, R. G. (2026). Using Goal Setting and Token Reinforcement to Increase Exercises by Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Behavioral Interventions, 41(1), e70070. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70070
Minard, N., Miltenberger, R., & Howell, S. (2026). Evaluating reactivity and promoting successful performance among teachers in the absence of a supervisor. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/01608061.2026.2613882
| | Ortega, E., Miltenberger, R., & Mercado, M. (2026). The Effects of a Task Analysis and Self‐Evaluation on the Acquisition of Yoga Poses. Behavioral Interventions, 41(1), e70078. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70078 | | Defense of a Doctoral Dissertation | | |
Title: In Search of Protective Factors Against Gun Carrying for Black Male Youth: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analysis of Secondary Data
Student: Kevin Edward Antwi
Program: Social Work
Date: Monday, April 27
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: MHC 1442
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Title: Case Managers' Perceptions of Working with Human Trafficking Survivors: A Secondary Data Analysis
Student: Maria Salomé Velez
Program: Social Work
Date: Thursday, April 30
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: MHC 1442
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Food Truck - Every Wednesday
Working with USF Dining, the Tampa Bay Food Trucks are returning to campus every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a more visible location near the corner of Magnolia and Holly (Parking lot 38U). It’s a short walk from MHC and PCD. See the schedule and menus here.
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Nominations: CBCS Student Employee of the Year
Nomination deadline: Friday, March 20
Nominations are open for the CBCS Student Employee of the Year. Two students will be selected for the award: one Federal Work Study student or student assistant and one graduate assistant. Supervisors may nominate student employees whom they feel warrant particular recognition for their performance on the job. Nominations are due no later than Friday, March 20, and may be submitted using this form.
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DIVE-VRT Classroom Open House
Thursday, Mar. 26 | 12-2 p.m.| 12985 North Telecom
Parkway, Suite 104A Temple Terrace, FL | RSVP
The Delivering Innovative Vocational Education Through Virtual Reality Technology (DIVE-VRT) program uses virtual reality and artificial intelligence technologies to train and certify youth and adults with lifelong and acquired disabilities in skilled trades. Please join us to see our classroom, meet DIVE-VRT staff and stakeholders, and try the virtual reality technology.
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28th Annual Daniel S. Sanders Peace and Social Justice Lecture
Thursday, Mar. 26 | 6:30 p.m. | In person (Illinois) and virtual registration
Join us for a lecture given by Jerome Galea, PhD, associate professor. The lecture, "There Is No Health Without Mental Health: What is it, why does it matter?" explores the rapidly evolving field of global mental health over the past decade and concludes with a discussion of future prospects of global mental health in the context of challenges posed by constrained global health funding.
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Nominations: CBCS Recognition Award Program
Nomination deadline: Monday, March 30
Nominations are now open for the CBCS Recognition Award Program, which recognizes the contributions of administrative, staff and/or OPS/temporary employees within CBCS for their extraordinary achievement in the workplace.
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National Training Institute 2026
Pre-Conference: April 6-7 and Conference: April 7-10 | Register here
The National Training Institute on Effective Practices provides early childhood education systems leaders and professionals with an in-depth, intensive learning experience on the implementation of the Pyramid Model framework for addressing the social and emotional development and challenging behavior of young children.
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CBCS Faculty International Collaboration Grant
Application deadline: April 7
The CBCS Research Council is now accepting applications for the CBCS Faculty International Collaboration Grant. This program is designed to provide financial support for scholarly activities by CBCS faculty conducted at major universities, research institutes, government agencies, and professional conferences/workshops. View more and apply here.
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CJMHSA TAC Subject Matter Expert: Request for Information
Submission deadline: April 30
The Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Technical Assistance Center (CJMHSA TAC) is pleased to announce the issuance of a Request for Information to expand our network of subject matter experts.
We are seeking experienced USF faculty and staff, community-based leaders, and national experts with demonstrated expertise in criminal justice and behavioral health systems to join our multidisciplinary technical assistance network. Apply here.
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Call for Papers
Submission deadline: July 1
The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, in partnership with the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce, invites submissions for a special issue focused on Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce: Research, Innovation and Policy. Learn more.
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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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