CFS's Ilene Berson Selected for Women's Leadership Award

Congratulations to CFS’s Ilene Berson Ph.D., who was selected for the USF President's 2006 Women's Leadership Award. Ilene will be honored for her role as an internationally recognized scholar who has researched the victimization of adolescent girls, as well as focused on prevention initiatives to develop prosocial decision skills of youth. The award will be presented on March 30, 2006 at USF.

Berson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies at the USF Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute in Tampa and serves as the Director of the Consortium for Child Welfare Studies.

"We are so proud of Ilene and the way she represents the Institute,” said Dr. David Shern, Dean of the Institute.

“This is a terrific honor,” added Dr. Robert Friedman, Chair of the Department of Child & Family Studies. “I am delighted that Ilene has received it.”

The award, offered through the USF Women's Status Committee, is part of the Committee’s role of addressing the welfare and activities of women with regard to educational and employment opportunities at the University.

Berson coordinates projects focusing on the prevention and intervention of child abuse and victimization, oversees research initiatives to inform policy and practice in the area of child welfare and safety, and provides technical assistance on system evaluation and reform. Her research focuses on creating safe, supportive school/community environments for child and adolescent victims, and investigating preventative interventions for child safety and prosocial development in cyberspace. She also is studying the behavioral health services and supports available to young children, and identifying policy issues which are necessary for establishing a viable approach to early childhood prevention and intervention services for young children with behavioral health challenges.

Click here for additional information on Ilene Berson.