About Us

Dr. Fox is Professor and Chair of the Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS), and the Co-Director of the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities, the University of South Florida Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She also serves as the Co-Division Director of The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC). She has a Ph. D. in early childhood special education from Florida State University (1989) and was a faculty member in the Department of Special Education of the University of Florida prior to her appointment at the University of South Florida. She was the principal investigator of the OSEP-funded Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children and a faculty member with the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning. She is currently engaged in research and technical assistance projects related to the implementation of evidence-based practices with in early care, education, and early intervention systems; state and program implementation technical assistance; and the implementation of the Pyramid Model (program-wide positive behavior support).
Dr. Fox is a nationally-recognized leader in interventions related to young children and challenging behavior and the author of many articles, chapters, and books related to improving practices and programs for young children.

Dr. Beth Boone is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and the families who love them. As Executive Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida (CARD-USF), she leads statewide initiatives to expand access to meaningful, evidence-based support. Dr. Boone’s passion lies in building systems of care that truly meet people where they are, empowering communities, and helping people thrive across the lifespan. Click here for more on Beth Boone.

Mindy Stevens has been with the Department of Child & Family Studies for 10 years. She obtained her MS degree in Vary Exceptionalities from Nova Southeastern University. As Assistant Director for the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF, she provides training, technical assistance, and direct assistance for families, school personnel and various agencies. She is training coordinator, oversees the “Autism Friendly” business initiative, and assists on special projects. She has presented at local, State and National conferences. Click here for more on Mindy Stevens.

Christine works as a Job Coach for The Learning Academy. She assists adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder in finding and maintaining employment based on their career interests. Christine received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. Click here for more on Christine Hugh.

Anna Winneker has a professional and educational background working with students with emotional/behavior disorders in settings ranging from residential treatment to inclusion. She is the director for the Program-Wide Positive Behavior Support. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Exceptional Student Education and qualitative research. Anna has worked with Hillsborough and Pinellas County schools and was with FDLRS training on parent services and technology for people with disabilities prior to returning to school full-time for her degree. Click here for more on Anna Winneker.

Rose Iovannone is a Research Assistant Professor in the College of Behavioral & Community Sciences, Department of Child and Family Studies, Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC) at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She is also the director for the Interdisciplinary Center for Evaluation and Intervention. She received her PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Houston. Her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees are in Special Education. Click here for more on Rose Iovannone.

Brenda is the Director for Hillsborough HIPPY Parent Involvement Project (HHPIP), a county-wide home visiting model for caregivers of young children designed to increase school readiness and utilizes parent involvement in their children’s education. Click here for more on Brenda Brinson.

Tracy Payne is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies and the Principal Investigator for the Florida Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters Training and Technical Assistance Center and Hillsborough HIPPY Parent Involvement Project. She has a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from the Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University (2011) with training in Education Research and a focus on Early Childhood Education. Click here for more on Tracey Payne Jordan.

Tammy Jorgensen-Smith is an Associate Professor in the Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling Program (RMHC) in the Department of Child and Family Studies and a formal affiliate of the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Tammy has dedicated her career to improving programs and systems that affect the lives of persons with disabilities. Her research focuses on the development, testing and implementation of innovative, customized employment service models to promote full inclusion and self-determination for people with complex disabilities. Click here for more on Tammy Jorgensen-Smith.

Eric Biel serves as the Associate State Director for the Florida HIPPY Training and Technical Assistance Center at the University of South Florida. With nearly 20 years of experience in education, program leadership, and fiscal management, Eric leads statewide efforts to strengthen early childhood systems through training, evaluation, and strategic support. He collaborates with local programs to build capacity, ensure accountability, and broaden access to high-quality services. His work supports the development of responsive, community-centered approaches that reflect the strengths and needs of Florida’s families.

Stephanie Martinez is the Principal Investigator (PI) on the Freshmen Success Grant in collaboration with the University of Oregon. Dr. Martinez received her master's degree in Special Education from the University of Florida and her specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She earned her doctorate from the University of South Florida in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Special Education. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Her current research interests include student support for graduation, coaching school staff, special education, students with disabilities, and PBIS. Click here for more on Stephanie Martinez.

Myrna Veguilla Figueroa, MSMS, MPH is a Senior Social & Behavioral Researcher in the Department of Child and Family Studies in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Her work includes evaluation activities for the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA Center), supporting research and development teams on funded projects examining Pyramid Model implementation, as well as developing data tools and guiding early childhood programs in their use of data. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Measurement and Evaluation at the University of South Florida.Click here for more on Myrna Veguilla Figueroa.

Catherine Raulerson joined the FLPBIS Project in 2015 and currently serves as the State Program Coordinator for the FLPBIS Project to provide leadership support to project staff. In addition to her Program Coordinator role within the project, Catherine also continues to provide technical assistance and training to school districts that are implementing a multi-tiered system of behavior aligned with the project mission. Catherine also supports the FLDOE Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (AWARE) state grant for evaluation with the project management team. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, holds a Specialist of Education degree in School Psychology from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Florida State University. Prior to joining the FLPBIS Project, Catherine worked as a School Psychologist, District Coordinator for PBIS, a district MTSS Coach, and a Regional Coordinator for the Administrative Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities Project. Catherine’s interests are in systems change, MTSS and resiliency in schools.