USF Institute for School-Community Partnerships

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USF Institute for School-Community Partnerships

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We are housed in the College of Education at the University of South Florida.

The Institute for School-Community Partnerships, Integrated Services, and Child Mental Health and Educational Policy is a research and technical assistance center focused on improving educational and related services for children, youth, families, and communities.

10/14/2026

Last week, members of the ISCP were invited to attend Power of Place: Rooted in Purpose in New York City. Hosted by Harlem Children's Zone, this event brought together leaders from across the country to share ideas and strategies for strengthening communities and expanding opportunities for children and families.

The conference provided a space for ISCP to engage with organizations advancing place-based approaches at the national level. These conversations are critical to ensuring students and families have access to meaningful support and resources where they are needed most.

10/13/2026

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10/02/2026

Graduate students with USF RISE are working directly with Hillsborough County students to help strengthen skills that support resilience and emotional wellness.

Through the Student Resilience & Wellness component, students take part in small-group sessions focused on skills such as self-awareness, empathy, perseverance and responsible decision-making. Led by trained facilitators, the sessions give students opportunities to practice these skills in a supportive school setting and apply them to challenges they may face in and out of the classroom.

Learn more about USF RISE: https://iscp.usf.edu/focus_areas/school_community_partnerships/project-usf-rise/

10/01/2026

USF RISE is introducing a new Student Resilience & Wellness component focused on helping K-8 students build resilience and emotional wellness skills in Hillsborough County community schools.

Led by Stacy-Ann January, co-director of the Institute for School-Community Partnerships and associate professor at the USF College of Education, the program will provide small-group, evidence-based instruction designed to strengthen skills such as perseverance, self-awareness, empathy and responsible decision-making.

Learn more about USF RISE: https://sites.usf.edu/iscp/focus_areas/school_community_partnerships/project-usf-rise/

Funding for Student Resilience and Wellness services is generously provided by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

09/29/2026

Recently, ISCP faculty and staff attended the September Folsom Elementary cabinet meeting, where community partners discussed priorities and strategies to support students and families throughout the school year. Led by Folsom Community Resource Teacher Tonya Wright, the meeting brought together school, community and university partners to coordinate resources and strengthen support for the Folsom community.

09/25/2026

Through ISCP’s University-Assisted Community Schools initiative, USF students work alongside local education leaders to reduce barriers facing students and families at community schools.

Recently, graduate students with ISCP helped pack and distribute groceries through the Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School food pantry, part of a broader network of integrated student supports that also connects families with health care, mental health services, school supplies, clothing and other essential resources.

By bringing together USF expertise, student engagement and community partnerships, ISCP helps schools respond directly to community needs.

09/21/2026

ISCP staff joined the Hillsborough County Public Schools’ Community Schools PLC meeting this morning to discuss MTSS implementation, review feedback on university supports available to community schools, and hear directly from school partners about how MTSS is working in their schools.

The conversation provided an opportunity to share implementation strategies and better understand the successes and challenges schools are experiencing as they work to assist students through a multi-tiered system of supports.

Community input like this helps shape ISCP’s work. Initiatives like Project USF RISE and Project MENTOR were developed in direct response to needs identified by local schools and community partners, helping ensure that new programs emerge from the communities they serve.

09/15/2026

José Castillo, one of ISCP's Co-Directors, joined behavioral health leaders, researchers, educators, providers and community partners from across Florida last week at the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce's From Research to Action: Florida Behavioral Health Workforce Summit.

The two-day summit focused on turning research into practical strategies to strengthen Florida’s behavioral health workforce, including education and training, workforce readiness, retention, professional development and policy.

For ISCP, these conversations connect to a broader goal of preparing future professionals while expanding behavioral health capacity in schools and communities.

We’re proud to be part of the statewide conversation on building a stronger behavioral health workforce to serve Florida’s children and families.

09/14/2026

Hear Whitney Jean-Pierre, Community Programs Coordinator, on Digital Education Foundation's E-Revolutionary Podcast where she discusses measurable improvement on student outcomes through partnership with the The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) 🤝

09/10/2026

Project USF RISE is helping prepare the next generation of school psychologists while expanding behavioral health support in local schools.

Kahlila Lawrence, principal investigator for Project USF RISE, and Sally Rushing, field supervisor, recently led a 3-day training to prepare graduate students to deliver Tier 2 behavioral health supports in high-need community schools.

Supported by a competitive, 2-year grant from the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce (), Project USF RISE provides second-year graduate students with applied learning, skill development, and field-based experience supporting elementary and middle school students.

This week, graduate students began working in Hillsborough County Public Schools community schools, putting their training into practice. We’re excited to see their impact throughout the academic year!

Address

USF, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, EDU 105
Tampa, FL
33620

Website

https://iscp.usf.edu/

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