FIU Center for Children and Families

As students across South Florida settle into a new school year, parents can play an important role in helping children manage those back-to-school jitters.

Our Executive Director and Director of our Child Anxiety and Phobia Program (CAPP), Dr. Jeremy Pettit shares practical strategies families can use to help children feel supported as they adjust to the school year.

📌 Save these tips to keep them handy during the first few weeks of school!

Read the full article for additional guidance on recognizing signs of anxiety, knowing when it may be time to seek support, and helping children start the school year with confidence.

🔗 go.fiu.edu/backtoschool_jitters

Link in bio.

🚨 IMPORTANT AUGUST FIU PARENT CLUB WORKSHOP UPDATE!

Due to early voting, select FIU Parent Club workshops at Coral Gables Branch Library and Westchester Branch Libraries have been canceled. 

Please refer to this revised schedule and save this post for the latest workshop information. 📌

Join our FREE in-person workshops this August and explore fun, practical ways to support your child’s development at every stage.

✨ Upcoming Workshops:
💚 READy, Set, Go: Music and Movement (Walk-in)
💚 READy, Set, Go: Storytelling (Walk-in)

🩷 Special Guests This Month:

📚 Lismar Lismar Marcano
8/12/26 – Hialeah Gardens Branch Library
8/17/26 – Westchester Branch Library
8/27/26 – Coral Reef Branch Library

🎉 Little Beats Ms. Christy and Team Little Beats
8/12/26 – Virrick Park Branch Library
8/31/26 – Westchester Branch Library

🎶 MusiKality Ms. K & Team | Miami Music Teachers
8/27/26 – Pinecrest Branch Library

Our Parent Club facilitators will lead the remaining sessions.

Thanks to the generous support of The Children's Trust, all workshops are free and open to the public!
Special thanks to Miami-Dade Public Library System and our special guests for helping us bring these enriching experiences to families across our community. 💛

📌 Save this updated post so you don’t miss any of our exciting sessions.

🔗 Visit our page for full workshop details and updates: ccf.fiu.edu/families/parent-club/

Want to help improve mental health care for the autism community? 💙

At our center, we are conducting a research study to better understand therapy experiences and identify ways to strengthen support.

💡 Participants will receive $100 compensation
🧠 Your feedback can help improve care for others

👉 Complete the eligibility survey: go.fiu.edu/mentalhealth_study or tap the link in our bio.

📧 Questions? Contact [email protected]

🎓 Join us in celebrating our newest doctoral graduates and recognizing the mentors who supported them throughout their doctoral training!

👏 Dr. Gabby Freitag
👏 Dr. Sarah Hartman
👏 Dr. Terrance Lane
👏 Dr. Keara Neuman
👏 Dr. Averill Obee
👏 Dr. Michaela Sisitsky

We are incredibly proud of all they accomplished at FIU and during their internships. We look forward to seeing them continue to make an impact through postdoctoral training and beyond!
 
We also celebrate clinical students Ella Diab, Sofia Lluna, and Leanette Reinoso, who crossed the stage after earning their master’s degrees, an important milestone in their academic journeys. 💙💛

Congratulations to all our graduates! Help us celebrate them in the comments.

Are you a licensed therapist looking to strengthen mental health care for autistic clients? 💙

Our center is conducting a research study to better understand how to support therapists in treating mental health conditions within the autism community.

🧠 Participate in a Zoom focus group (up to 2 hours)
💡 Help inform the development of therapist-focused resources
💵 Receive $100 compensation for your time
✔️ Open to licensed therapists (with or without experience working with autistic clients)

Complete the eligibility survey: go.fiu.edu/therapist_study

📧 Questions? Contact [email protected]