Florida Association of Children's Hospitals (FACH)
Dr. Daniel Armstrong, Director of the Mailman Center for Child Development, has been elected President of the Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals (FACH) for 2025. The FACH is an organization of 12 children’s hospitals in Florida that provide specialized children’s care, conduct research focused on improving health outcomes for children, and train Florida’s future clinicians and leaders. Founded in 1999, FACH has been instrumental in advocacy for issues affecting the health of children in Florida.
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Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference 2025
On January 30th, members of the AAC Clinic, FAAST, and Step Up AT presented 2 sessions at the Assistive Technology Industry Association conference in Orlando. Michelle Schladant, PhD, and Austin Garilli, PhD, presented "Mission AT: Leading the Charge for Implementation in the Preschool Classroom"; they were recipients of The Joy Zabala Spirit Award, which honors a select group of speakers whose sessions reflect the passion and dedication Joy Zabala, an AT leader and advocate, brought to assistive technology and education. Christina Givner and Cristina Pujol presented "Put Me In Coach: How to Be a Neurodivergent-Affirming Communication Partner."
Pictured: Christina Givner, Anamaria Nevares, Austin Garilli, Michelle Schladant, and Cristina Pujol
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Inter-Professional Collaboratives (IPC) Spotlight
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The Community Wellness IPC seeks to advance the field of prevention and evidence-based interventions, working through a multicultural and community-based participatory research (CBPR) lens, with a focus on early childhood. They develop and test prevention and treatment programs, translate research into evidence-based practice, improve upon clinical services, and coordinate projects with community-based organizations.
The Community Wellness IPC meets every third Friday of the month at noon. If you'd like to participate please reach out to:
Lead: Ruby Natale, PhD
Co-Lead: Maite Schenker, PhD
Below are some program highlights and upcoming events connected to Community Wellness:
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Since 2004, the University of Miami’s Families First program has successfully provided evidence-based, relationship-focused, family strengthening parenting services for parents and caregivers with young children ages birth to 3 years throughout Miami-Dade County. Program goals include improving the system of care and building resources for parents, strengthening families, managing child behavior, and promoting optimal child health and development. Program activities are based on best practice concepts from child development theory and research that supports the importance of promoting positive parent-child relationships to facilitate optimal child development.
Our Incredible Years free parenting groups are offered on a weekly basis in English and Spanish at various locations throughout the county and online. Families First is funded by The Children’s Trust so our services are offered at no cost to families in Miami-Dade County.
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Since 2019, The Children's Trust Parent Club, in partnership with the University of Miami, has provided free workshops across Miami-Dade County to help caregivers with evidence-based strategies for children's healthy development. Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, topics cover strengthening parent-child relationships, managing difficult behaviors, and child development. The Parent Club has reached thousands of caregivers through both in-person and virtual sessions at schools, libraries, places of worship, and community agencies. Families needing additional support are connected with more intensive services.
New workshops on research-informed topics are regularly offered. The University of Miami coordinates the collaborative program, which includes FIU, Be Strong International, and UM. Participants can both register for a Parent Club account and sign up for available workshops on The Parent Club Public Webpage.
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Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) and Step Up AT
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) and Step Up AT, in partnership with READy, Set, Go Miami will be hosting TWO free virtual trainings for families on how to support early literacy skills for children aged 0-5. Christina Givner M.S., CCC-SLP, a bilingual speech language pathologist, will lead the family fun!
Virtual Training One
When: March 14th at 12pm
Where: Zoom
Virtual Training Two
When: March 19th at 10am
Where: Zoom
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Innovation and Connection Conference
The Mailman Center will be hosting the Innovation & Connection Conference on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 9:00 am - 3:15pm via Zoom. Click here to register!
This one-day conference will explore strategies used with families facing educational, communication, mental health, behavioral, access, and/or financial barriers. Join us to explore preventative and supportive strategies designed to build a foundation for success for children who are deaf/hard of hearing.
Credit designation:
- Florida Board for LCSW, LMFT and LMHC approved 6.0 CE credit, Provider # BAP Exp. Date 3/31/2025.
- 5.5 CE credit approved for psychology. Mailman Center is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
- 0.55 ASHA CEUs.
- 5.5 LSLS CEUs.
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January Grand Rounds Session
This presentation discussed the potential of Parks and Recreation to promote youth mental well-being at a population level, provided an overview of the YES pilot study to link youth and families to accessible community-based mental well-being programs in Durham, NC and Miami-Dade County, FL, and described the YES pilot study findings and steps.
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Research Publications & Presentations
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Article
Holcomb, M. A., Williams, E., Prentiss, S., Sanchez, C. M., Smeal, M. R., Stern, T., Tolen, A. K., Velandia, S., & Coto, J. (2025). Utilization of the Spanish Bisyllable Word Recognition Test to Assess Cochlear Implant Performance Trajectory. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(3), 774.
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14030774
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Presentation
Schladant, M, & Garilli, A. (2025, January). Mission AT: Leading the Change for Implementation in the Preschool Classroom. Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference, Orlando, FL.
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Presentation
Givner, C. & Pujol, C. (2025, January). Put Me in Coach: How to Be a Neurodivergent-Affirming Communication Partner. Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference, Orlando, FL.
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Dr Azaret was extremely welcoming, listened, and gave us great next steps to work on. We felt listened to, valued, and cared for. What an amazing doctor and what an amazing human being! You can see it's not just a job, it's a vocation!
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— Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction – Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician Dr. Azaret
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
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Contact
Us
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