Coursework
Below you will find samples of coursework I completed during my time in the Family, Youth, and Community Science master's program at the University of Florida.
Development Plan Overview
The Crossover Collective Development Plan provides a comprehensive framework for establishing and sustaining a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving outcomes for crossover youth—those involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The plan begins with a clear Rationale for Starting the New Organization, identifying the critical service gaps and community needs that inspired its creation. It then outlines the Organizational Concept, detailing the mission, vision, and guiding principles that shape the agency’s direction and identity.
Subsequent sections address the key operational foundations of the organization, including Governance and Governing Documents, which establish leadership structure, decision-making processes, and compliance with regulatory and ethical standards. Program Planning and Evaluation defines measurable goals, evidence-based interventions, and ongoing performance monitoring to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
Autism and Parental Stress
This paper examines the relationship between parental stress and behavioral outcomes in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It reviews current prevalence data and diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5-TR (2022) and CDC, outlining the core features of autism. Research shows that parental stress and child behavior problems are bidirectional—each influencing and intensifying the other. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory, the paper highlights how children and their environments, especially family dynamics, shape one another. The findings emphasize that interventions must address both the child’s needs and the parents’ emotional well-being. Recommendations include supportive parenting, stress management, and early intervention services. The goal is to strengthen parent-child relationships, reduce stress, and improve outcomes for children with autism. A list of national and Florida-based resources is provided to connect families with additional support.
​Ticket To Thrive: A program plan and evaluation proposal
​
​Ticket to Thrive is an afterschool program developed to fill critical service gaps for high-risk foster and crossover youth in Pinellas County, Florida. Partnering with the Circuit Six Public Defender’s Office, the program uses a Positive Youth Development framework to promote resilience, empowerment, and healthy relationships. Through mentoring, life skills training, academic support, and structured enrichment, Ticket to Thrive aims to reduce delinquency, improve school outcomes, and enhance stability for youth in care. Trauma-informed staff provide consistent, supportive relationships that foster trust and growth. Program evaluation combines qualitative and quantitative data to measure developmental assets, arrests, and overall well-being. Ticket to Thrive strives to serve as a replicable, community-based model for helping vulnerable youth thrive in safe and supportive environments.
​
​