ITRE conference highlights research, collaboration in addressing adolescent substance use | The 12th annual Institute for Translational Research Education in Adolescent Substance Use (ITRE) conference was held April 7-9, bringing together community partners, outgoing scholars, and the newest cohort of graduate students. | | CBCS faculty and staff recognized at 2025 USF Faculty Honors and Awards Reception | Faculty and staff from CBCS were recognized at this year’s USF Faculty Honors and Awards Reception on April 15. James Walker received the New Advisor Award and Lori Hall, PhD, received the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. | | |
Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce launches study on LCSW licensure pathway
The Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce has commissioned a team of researchers to investigate the licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) licensure exam pathway in Florida. The state is facing a critical workforce challenge: too many registered clinical social work interns are unable to pass the national exam required for independent practice. Read more.
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Centene Foundation invests in future of social work through $300,000 grant to USF
With over 23 million residents and only about 13,000 licensed clinical social workers, Florida is facing a critical shortage of licensed clinicians to meet the growing demand for life-saving mental health services. With help from a $300,000 grant from Sunshine Health and the Centene Foundation, the USF School of Social Work will address this gap through its Pathway to Licensure Initiative, which supports social workers on their journeys to becoming LCSWs. Read more.
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Empath Health commits $50,000 to advance palliative and hospice care research and education at USF
Empath Health, a decades-long community partner of the Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Studies at USF, contributed $10,000 to the center in February and committed to providing $10,000 annually for the next five years—a total contribution of $50,000. Read more.
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Florida home instruction programs shine at national conference
Staff from the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) attended the HIPPY U.S. National Conference in Baltimore from April 6–9. Representatives from the Florida HIPPY Training and Technical Assistance Center and the Hillsborough HIPPY Parent Involvement Project, both based at USF, presented at the conference and earned top honors. Read more.
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USF criminology students inducted in criminal justice honor society
The induction ceremony featured a welcome address by Colby Valentine, PhD, co-advisor of the honor society; presentations from the Alpha Phi Sigma board members; and a recitation of the oath led by co-advisor Amber Oderinde, MS. Read more.
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Speech-language pathology students host Community Carnival featuring adaptive games
Speech-language pathology graduate students, faculty, families, and children came together for an engaging day of fun at the Communication Carnival — an event focused on creating a sensory-friendly environment specifically designed for children who benefit from additional language support. Read more.
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School of Aging Studies student wins award at Southern Gerontological Society Conference
Natalia Babenko, a doctoral student in the School of Aging Studies, was awarded third place in the poster competition at the Southern Gerontological Society Annual Meeting & Conference. Read more.
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Moments of recognition and reflection at the Spring 2025 CBCS Faculty & Staff Assembly
College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS) faculty and staff gathered in-person and online on April 18 in the college's atrium for the Spring 2025 CBCS Faculty & Staff Assembly. Faculty, staff, and students were honored for their contributions to the growth and success of the college and its students. Read more.
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Lampe, N. M., & McKay, T. (2025). Associations of faith community rejection with social support and health outcomes among LGBTQ+ older adults. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Social Sciences, 80(5), gbaf009. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaf009
Johnson, S. A., Lampe, N. M., & Nowakowski, A. C. H. (2025). Mapping uncharted territory in later life disablement trajectories: A closer look at progressive disease. The Gerontologist. 65(4), gnaf045. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaf045
| | Upcoming Events & Deadlines | | |
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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Empower Idaho 2025 Peer Support Conference
April 30 | 12-2 p.m.
Virtual Conference | Registration
Cary Hopkins Hall, Department of Criminology, is presenting "Trauma Informed Care: Do No Further Harm" at the Empower Idaho 2025 Peer Support Conference. Participants can earn 2 CEUs (CPSS, CFSP, CRC, and CPRC).
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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.
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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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