          
Contact Information:
1425 NW 10th Ave
Sieron Bldg, 3rd Flr
Miami, FL-33136
V - (305) 243-4592
F - (305) 243-5577
Email - Maria
Padron
|
History
The Center for Family Studies (CFS) is a
Division of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of the
University of
Miami School of Medicine. Its administrative and research programs are housed on the
campus of the University of Miami School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital Medical
Center, which is located at the intersection of several ethnic minority, inner city
communities. Intervention programs are located in the Allapattah, Coconut Grove, East
Little Havana, Overtown, Shenandoah and South Miami neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County.
The CFS was originally established as the Spanish Family Guidance Center in 1972 to
develop and investigate family-oriented prevention and treatment interventions for
Hispanic drug using adolescents. In 1991, the CFS expanded into a multicultural center for
the study of African American and Hispanic families.
It is the major program of family-oriented intervention research with minorities in the
nation (See for example, Alexander, Holtzworth-Munroe & Jameson, 1994; Beutler &
Crago, 1991; Kazdin, 1993; 1994; Sue, Zane & Young, 1994), as well as a major
contributor to research on family interventions in adolescent drug abuse (Liddle &
Dakof, 1995a; 1995b), and to the literature on Hispanic mental health (Baezconde-Garbanati
& Padilla, 1988).
The Center's work has received considerable national and international recognition and its
team of professionals are frequent lecturers and consultants nationally and
internationally. The CFS is funded through competitive national grants from the
Department
of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health
(NIDA, NIMH,
NICHD & NIA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(CSAP, CSAT), and the
Department of Education.
Internationally:
In 1983, the Spanish Family Guidance Center, a component of
the Center for Family Studies, was designated as a Collaborating Center of Excellence for
Research and Training in Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Dependence by the World Health
Organization.
In 1987, the family therapy work of the Center was selected
by the International Council on Alcohol and the Addictions in a program sponsored by the
United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control as one of three programs in the United States
exemplary of the "innovative adaptations occurred in the demand reduction field in the
past decade".
Nationally:
In 1978, 1982, and 1984, the National Community Agency
Award, the National Leadership Award for Academic Excellence, and the National Public
Service Award, respectively, from the National Coalition of Health and Human Services
Organizations (COSSMHO).
In 1988, chosen as one of fourteen Exemplary Treatment
Programs cited in the Final Report of the White House Conference for a Drug Free
America.
In 1989, the Rafael Tavares, M.D. Academic Award from the
Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals.
In 1990, the Outstanding Research Publication Award from the
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
In 1991, the Distinguished Professional Contributions to
Public Service Award from the American Psychological Association.
In 1993, the Award for Distinguished Contributions from the
American Family Therapy Academy.
In 1995, chosen for inclusion in the Secretary of DHHS White
Paper to Congress on What Works in Substance Abuse Treatment.
In 1996, the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Family
Therapy Research from the American Family Therapy Academy.
In 1996, the Carolyn Attneave Award for Diversity in Family
Psychology from the Division of Family Psychology, American Psychological Association.
In 1996, selected as a model program by the U.S. Office of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention "Strengthening America's Families
Initiative".
In 1997, the Distinguished Presenter Series Award from the
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors.
In 1998, the Provost’s Scholarly Activity Award from
the University of Miami.
In 1998, the Cumulative Contribution to Family Therapy
Research Award from the American Association for Marriage for Family Therapy.
In 1998, the Rosalynn Carter Caregiving Award from the
Rosalynn Carter Institute, Georgia Southwestern State University.
In 1999, the Substance Abuse Prevention Research Award
(first ever), National Substance Abuse Prevention Congress, Center for Substance Abuse
Prevention, SAMHSA.
Staff
appointments to:
The National Advisory Council on Substance Abuse Prevention
The National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse
The National Advisory Council on Mental Health
The Extramural Science Advisory Board, NIDA
The AIDS Program Advisory Committee, NIH
The Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council,
NIH
(ex-officio)
Scientific Advisory Group, Behavioral Therapies Initiative,
Treatment Research, NIDA
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Blue Ribbon Panel on
Evaluation.
Staff, Faculty, and
Trainees
The CFS has a total of 87 staff members, representing
several different Hispanic nationalities, American and Caribbean Blacks, Asian Americans
and White Americans of different ethnic backgrounds. Staff includes 13 full time Faculty
members, 4 part-time Faculty members, 4 post-doctoral trainees, 13 pre-doctoral trainees
(in clinical/counseling psychology, pre-law, and history), 23 post- masters residents in
psychology/sociology, business administration, and architecture, and 31 other staff
members. The Center has an aggressive program of development for minority junior faculty
and for undergraduate, masters, pre- and post- doctoral students. The staff is
interdisciplinary, including architects, clinical and counseling psychologists,
psychiatrists, social workers, lawyers, economists and business administrators. |
