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April 7-13, 2025

CBCS awards highest number of Undergraduate Research Scholarships in program's history

Undergraduate Research Scholarship recipients

Eleven students have been selected as recipients of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS) Undergraduate Research Scholarship, the highest number of recipients in the program's history. This year, the scholarship presentation event included a poster session during which students gained experience presenting their research.

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Creating inclusive spaces: How CARD-USF’s Autism Friendly Business initiative is transforming Tampa

CARD-USF sensory area

In 2009, the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida (CARD-USF) launched the Autism Friendly Business initiative with a simple but powerful goal: to help local businesses and attractions better serve individuals with autism and their families. Over the years, the initiative has grown significantly, forging new partnerships and ongoing collaborations.

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Students and faculty at the Social Work Appreciation Month event

School of Social Work celebrates Social Work Appreciation Month


The School of Social Work held a celebration of Social Work Appreciation Month on March 31. Hosted by the school, along with the National Association of Social Workers Tampa Bay Unit and Sunshine Health, the event brought together around 100 participants at the Centene Corporate Headquarters. Read more.

Faculty and staff of the Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Sciences program.

Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Sciences program earns CACREP accreditation


The Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Sciences program has been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through October 31, 2032. The online master’s program is part of the Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program, which is also CACREP-accredited. Read more.

Graduate student Karah Greene

CBCS students participate in USF Graduate and Postdoctoral Research Symposium


Students from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS) participated in USF's 2025 Graduate and Postdoctoral Research Symposium. The symposium is hosted annually by the Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate and Professional Student Council. Read more.

Students participating in the ASL Bowl

USF hosts annual ASL Bowl, celebrating language and culture


The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting program, in partnership with ASL Bulls, hosted the annual ASL Bowl on Tuesday, March 25. Read more.

Left to right: Petya Figueiredo, Lianna "Lou" Hernandez, and Valentina Arcilla

School of Social Work promotes mental health awareness at Fresh Check Day


The School of Social Work participated in Fresh Check Day at the WELL, an interactive event dedicated to mental health promotion and suicide prevention. Read more.

Dr. Sondra Fogel

Sondra Fogel re-elected to GADE board


Sondra Fogel, PhD, LCSW, has been re-elected to the Board of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE). She will serve another three-year term as a member-at-large, starting in August 2025. Read more.

Wellness Tip of the Week

Publications

Chenneville, T., Bilali, K., Jazi, E. A., Marion, A., & Rodriguez, C. A. (2025). Psychosocial screening of youth living with HIV in an integrated care setting before and after COVID-19. HIV Research & Clinical Practice, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/25787489.2025.2484823


Chenneville, T., Bilali, K., Wasilewski, S. & Reid, J. (2025). Similarities and Differences in Trauma Bonding Among Young Adults in the US and Kenya: Implications for Forensic Assessment. Behavioral Sciences & the Law. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.2723


Moreto, W. D., & Elligson, R. L. (2025). Integrating criminology, criminal justice, and crime science in conservation science and practice. Conservation Biology, 39(2), e70006. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.70006


Rupani, N., Vasquez, D. H., Contreras, C., Menacho, L., Kolevic, L., Franke, M. F., & Galea, J. T. (2025). “Like Someone Is Paying Attention to You, Listening to You, and Guiding You”: Acceptability of a Mental Health Chatbot Among Caregivers of Adolescents Living With HIV. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC), 24, 23259582251327911. https://doi.org/10.1177/23259582251327911

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

MHWW Course Cover Photo

Mental Health & Wellness in the Workplace Course


Learn to attract and retain talent by creating a workplace culture that fosters wellness and allows for the free expression of issues related to employee mental health, behavioral health, and addiction. Start the course today.

Translational Research in Adolescent Substance Use (ITRE) Conference Cover Photo

12th Annual Translational Research in Adolescent Substance Use Conference

April 8 | MHC Atrium | 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. 

This conference is free of charge, and no registration is required.


This conference will bring together national and local experts in the field of implementation science and practice. Presentations will include evidence-based research and programs in the field of adolescent behavioral/mental health, substance use, advocacy, and policy changes, along with research programs conducted by USF graduate scholars in partnership with community partner agencies.

CBCS Spring 2025 Assembly Save the Date

CBCS Faculty & Staff Assembly

April 18 | 9:30-11 a.m.

MHC Atrium Lobby


All CBCS faculty and staff are encouraged to attend in person. The event will also be available on Teams.

FMHI Colloquium

Risk to Resilience: Innovations in Human Trafficking Research and Response

April 25 | 9 a.m. - noon and 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

USF St. Petersburg Campus | SLC 2100

Register or reserve an information table.


This symposium and workshop will bring together subject matter experts to discuss innovations in human trafficking research and response. The event will include individual speakers, a panel discussion on collaborative approaches to combat human trafficking, and community partner information tables. For more information, contact Melissa Carlson at mbarongi@usf.edu.

Fiesta by the Bay 2025

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

Employment Virtual Conference Cover Photo

Florida Center for Inclusive Communities Employment Virtual Conference

Talent Actualized! Creating Synergy for Tomorrow's Workforce: Employer Engagement

May 20 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.


This conference is a fully online, interactive training opportunity for rehabilitation and employment professionals, educators, employers, policymakers, youth, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), family members, and anyone interested in promoting successful employment for individuals with I/DD. Register here.

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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