Dr. Kwang-Sun Cho Blair to Serve as Principal Investigator on New $1.11 Million Grant Funded by the U.S. Department of Education
CFS Associate Professor Dr. Kwang-Sun Cho Blair has secured a new $1.11 million grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (H325K170085) to help prepare high-quality scholars to serve as either Board Certified Behavior Analysts or School Psychologists who can contribute to the provision of focused instruction and individualized positive behavioral interventions and supports in an interdisciplinary team-based approach for school-aged children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD).
This effort represents the collaboration between two programs at USF, the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Master’s Program within the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences and the School Psychology Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) Program within the College of Education and partnerships with three Florida school districts (Hillsborough County Public Schools, Pasco County Schools, and Sarasota County Schools).
Over the 5 years of funding for Project EBAS: Enhancing Behavior Analytic Services for Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Dr. Blair will work with co-principal investigators, CFS faculty Drs. Kimberly Crosland, Catia Cividini-Motta and USF College of Education faculty Jose Castillo to prepare 15 scholars from the ABA Master’s Program and 14 from the School of Psychology Ed.S Program. Tracy-Ann Gilbert-Smith will serve as Project Coordinator.
To identify high-quality applicants for admission, the project will select candidates whose interests match the project’s goals. Interest in becoming a school-based behavior analyst or school psychologist and willingness to provide related services as a collaborative team member for children with disabilities in educational systems will be emphasized in the selection process. Applicants must have been accepted into the ABA Master’s Program or School Psychology Program at USF and be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
Program support includes:
- Paid tuition (in-state rate)
- Out-of-state tuition waiver for non-Florida residents
- Stipends for full-time participation
- Financial assistance for conference attendance and textbooks
Features of the project include:
- Graduate Certificate Program in Positive Behavior Supports
- Coordinated and supervised practicum
- Monthly seminars
- Summer Institute
- Florida Center for Inclusive Communities Trainee Program
- Case studies or thesis research in high-need schools
- Portfolio development
- Conference participation
For additional information, contact Dr. Blair or Tracy-Ann Gilbert-Smith.