CFS Welcomes Donna Burton as Assistant in Research
CFS is proud to welcome its newest Assistant in Research, Donna Burton. Donna was selected as part of the Research Faculty Pathway Grant, which is offered through the USF Office of Research & Innovation and the USF Faculty Senate Research Council and aimed at increasing the research and innovation enterprise within the USF System. Ms. Burton will focus on school based mental health services and how to ensure effective interventions are adapted and integrated at the school level.
The Research Faculty Pathway Grant was successfully submitted by Dr. Tom Massey, Associate Professor in CFS.
“Ms. Burton’s research efforts will enable CFS to strengthen and enhance efforts to address critical and emerging issues in children’s mental health services,” said Dr. Massey. “We are very fortunate to have her expertise.”
Ms. Burton holds a Master’s Degree in counseling psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is a doctoral candidate (with scheduled May 2012 completion) in the USF College of Public Health/ Graduate Studies in Behavioral Health Program. Her dissertation research involves implementation of evidence-based drug abuse prevention programs in schools.
Donna shared her thoughts on school mental health as a key area for children's mental health research. "Schools are a primary location for delivery of mental health services to children, adolescents and teens and the dialogue between school-based professionals and researchers is becoming increasingly important. Effective delivery of mental health services depends on that two-way exchange which ideally will lead us to implementation and translation of evidence-based practices."
Before deciding to pursue her PhD degree, Donna spent 15 years as a practitioner and administrator, first in a residential setting working with adults with substance abuse and mental disorders, and later with adolescents, where her main interests are now focused.
As part of the grant, Ms. Burton will be mentored by senior faculty including Drs. Tom Massey, Bruce L. Levin and Department Chair Mario Hernandez.