One of the challenges that many educators face while juggling the demands of academic goals is to learn how to minimize problem behaviors of the student body.

With the assistance of School-wide Positive Behavior Support (PBS), a proactive, educative, and reinforcement–based strategy that provides effective intervention plans to impede problem behaviors, educators can restore communication, reduce disruptive behavior and maintain a least restrictive environment for all students.

For the past few years, funding provided by the Florida Department of Education has enabled PBS staff to work with a team of researchers, advocates, educators and other community leaders to minimize problem behaviors in school districts across the state. On January 20 and 21, PBS will host a training seminar for over 100 faculty from previously trained schools to network, plan and problem-solve for the upcoming school year. Participation from 18 school districts across the state of Florida is expected.

PBS is a project within the Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS), a department of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida. The faculty and staff of CFS are committed to enhancing the development, mental health and well-being of children and families through leadership in integrating research, theory and practice.

For more information on the PBS project, please contact: Heather George, Project Coordinator, hgeorge@fmhi.usf.edu, (813) 974-6440, or visit the website at http://flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu.