Clinical Psychology Elective Rotations

ASAC offers therapeutic interventions, including caregiver training (Project ImPACT, RUBI), social skills training, and PCIT to individuals with ASD and their families. ASAC is closely tied with UM-CARD, so trainees have the opportunity to learn more about community outreach, training programs, ASD programs, etc.

Child Protection Team (CPT) is a multidisciplinary child abuse assessment team consisting of physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists (and trainees). Children and families are referred to CPT for evaluation of child abuse allegations, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect. Evaluations are also conducted by the psychologist (and trainees) to assess the victim child’s ability to provide testimony in criminal court proceedings and under what conditions. Psychology trainees participate in the evaluation of a child victim and/or family members each week. Evaluations consist of comprehensive clinical interviews. The clinical interview is initially conducted by the clinical supervisor and observed and documented by the trainee. Supervision is a gradual progression, with the trainee ultimately conducting the interviews independently. Reports follow a standard written format with many examples available as models, depending on the referral question. Typical referral questions for CPT evaluations include an assessment of the abuse allegations (i.e., what actually happened), the child's treatment needs, recommendations regarding the child victim's best interests related to visitation, reunification, and options for providing court testimony, and treatment needs for alleged perpetrators or non-offending parent. Other valuable experiences that trainees may have at CPT include observing expert witness testimony by supervisor or other CPT clinical staff and regular participation in the medical evaluation of child victims.

The Early Steps Program offers early intervention services for families with infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) who have developmental delays or an established condition likely to result in a developmental delay. It is a statewide, family-focused, multidisciplinary system of early intervention services for eligible children and their families. The Early Steps program also includes a NICU follow-up clinic for infants born prematurely or with other high-risk conditions. A rotation with Early Steps allows opportunities for multidisciplinary developmental assessment of infants and toddlers exposed to multiple medical and socio-economic risk factors. The focus of the assessments is on determining eligibility for early intervention services and developing an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) to link families with community-based services.

Families First, funded by The Children’s Trust, delivers relationship-focused parenting groups for culturally and ethnically diverse families of young children throughout Miami-Dade County. Goals include improving the system of care and building resources for parents, strengthening families and promoting optimal child health and development. Groups are based on best-practice concepts from child development theory and research that support the importance of promoting positive parent-child relationships to facilitate optimal child development. Families First currently offers 2 evidence-based/best practice, relationship-focused parenting groups, one focused on parents with infants (Baby and Me) and one focused on parents with children ages 1-3 (Incredible Years Toddler Curriculum).

Site Where Services Are Provided

Families First partners with a variety of community organizations, childcare facilities, and healthcare sites throughout Miami-Dade County, where services are typically provided. Due to COVID-19 classes. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all services are being provided using a hybrid model (i.e., a combination of telehealth and in-person groups).

University of Miami Parent Club is a live workshop model of universal parenting education that began in 2019. It provides free parenting information that is useful to all caregivers of children ages 2-12. There are currently three workshops: 1) Building blocks of positive parenting, 2) Building blocks of positive behavior, and 3) Building blocks of child development. Additional workshops will be developed during the 2020-2021 year. Workshops are delivered by staff in Creole, Spanish, and English. The program is funded by The Children’s Trust under a common umbrella with two additional organizations (Florida International University and BeStrong). Trainees have the opportunity to develop new, evidence-based workshop content in collaboration with program staff and The Children’s Trust, refine and deliver staff training, participate in workshop delivery and participant referral linkage, administer fidelity checks of staff workshop delivery, and participate in ongoing program evaluation and development. Additionally, trainees have the opportunity to participate in the creative development and production of online parenting resources including videos, podcasts, and webinars