School R.E.A.D.Y Lab

Averill F. Obee

Averill F. Obee is a fifth-year student in the Clinical Science Ph.D. program at Florida International University. Before coming to FIU, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Swarthmore College, where she was involved with both clinical and developmental psychological research. Averill also worked several summers as a Director at Ramapo for Children, a residential camp for children who experience social, emotional, learning, and developmental challenges. Finally, she worked as a research coordinator in the Culture and Evidence-Based Practice (CEBP) Lab at DePaul University under the mentorship of Antonio Polo, Ph.D. She has earned her Master’s in science degree at FIU.

While at FIU, Averill has pursued research interests broadly focusing on the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices in school and community settings. She is interested in understanding systems of care and the relational, cultural, and contextual factors that shape children’s early social-emotional and academic development. Her work focuses on how we can enhance the strengths these systems and factors have in promoting children’s early development and learning. Her most recent projects have focused on the training and supervision of teachers and paraprofessionals in order to enhance their work with children, particularly those with externalizing behavior disorders. She is also interested in mental health policies that both expand access to services and address community concerns and needs.

Relevant Publications:

Note. * Denotes mentored undergraduate student author.

Conroy, K., Obee, A., Schiavone, E., Urcuyo, A. E., Cramer, E., Comer, J. S., Frazier, S. L. (Revise & Resubmit). Teachers as first responders in marginalized, urban communities: Stress and coping during unprecedented times for public education. Children and Youth Services Review.

Obee, A. F., Hart, K. C., Maharaj, A. V., & Graziano, P. A. (2024). Taking Charge of Early Childhood Transitions: Preventing Challenging Behaviors Through Engaging Routines. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10634266241271357

Conroy, K., Urcuyo, A. E., Schiavone, E., Obee, A., Frazier, S. L., Cramer, E., Comer, J. S., (2024). Understanding the nature of anxiety in urban elementary schools serving predominately ethnically/racially minoritized children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2024.2361731

Fermin, C.*, Perez M.*, Obee, A. F., Hart K. C. (2024) Benefits of time spent in the outdoors in early childhood education: A systematic review. Florida International University Undergraduate Research Journal. 2(1), Article 6. https://doi.org/10.25148/URJ.020107

Hart, K.C., Poznanski, B., Cheatham-Johnson, R., Gregg, D., Zambrana, K., Gutierrez Renzulli, A., Flores, H., Sotolongo, L., Chou, T., Moses, J., Obee, A., Lane, T., Guaragna, I., Cadet, G., Leyva, E., Quintanilla, V., Villodas, F., & Villodas, M. (2024) Utilizing the Summer Treatment Program Model to Promote School Readiness in Young Children Living in Urban Poverty: An Examination of Child Outcomes. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2024.2378398

Obee, A. F., Cadet G., Morales, M., Bravo, E. I., Hart, K. C. (2024). Training, supervising, and supporting Summer Treatment Program staff: Staff perspectives on essential ingredients. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2024.2378400

Rajesh, A., Zhang, K.A., Silvan, Y., Diehl, C., Obee, A. F., Wilson, M., Perez, V., Howard, E., Kang, S., Duong., J.B., Weiss, H., Sayegh, P., South, S., Manczak, E., Merchant, J., Merrill, B., Eaton, N. (2024). Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and anti-racism statements by clinical psychological science programs: A mixed methods analysis of public commitments. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 18(3), 183–193. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000452

Obee, A. F., Hart, K. C., Fabiano, G. A. (2023) Professional development targeting classroom management and behavioral support skills in early childhood settings: A systematic review. School Mental Health, 15(2), 339-369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-022-09562-x

Relevant Presentations and Posters:

Obee, A. F., Cadet G., Morales, M., Bravo, E. I., Hart, K. C. (2024) Training, Supervising, and Supporting Summer Treatment Program Preprofessional Staff: Staff Perspectives on Essential Ingredients. In Marriott, B. (Chair), Increasing Access to Evidence-Based Behavioral Health Services through Task-Shifting Approaches and the Expansion of Services Across Settings. Symposia accepted for presentation at the 58th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). Philadelphia, PA.

Obee, A. F., Ulysse, J., Espinosa, A., Spector, R., Rodriguez, E., Hart, K. (2024) Support and Retention of Early Childhood Educators Through Professional Development and Wage Supplement Scholarships: Examining Educator Engagement in a County-Wide Quality Improvement System. Poster presented at National Research Conference on Early Childhood (NRCEC). Washington D.C.

Obee, A. F., Lawson, G., Conroy, K., Locke, J., Evans, S., Kung, S., Santiago, C.D. (2023). School-Research Partnerships: Working Together to Promote Evidence-Based Practices in K-12 Schools and Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis. Panel presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). Seattle, WA.

Hart, K.C., Pozanski, B, Cheatham-Johnson, R., Zambrana, K., Gregg, D., Gutierrez Renzulli, A., Lane, T., Obee, A.F., Sotolongo, L., Chou, T., Moses J., Villoda, M. Utilizing the Summer Treatment Program Model to Promote School Readiness in Young Children Living in Urban Poverty: An Examination of Parenting Outcomes. In Hart, K. (Chair), Novel Targets and Enhancements to Behavioral Parent Training for Young Children At-Risk. Symposia presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). Seattle, WA.

Obee, A. F., Cadet G., Morales, M., Bravo, E. I., Hart, K. C. (2023). Recruiting, Training, Supervising and Supporting Summer Treatment Program Staff: Staff and Supervisor Perspectives on Essential Ingredients. Poster accepted for presentation at the ADHD Special Interest Group Preconference of the 57th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). Seattle, WA.

Obee, A. F., Hart, K. C., Fabiano, G. A. (2023) Professional development targeting classroom management and behavioral support skills in early childhood settings: A systematic review. Poster presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). Salt Lake City, UT.

Obee, A. F., Hart, K. C., Maharaj, A. V., Graziano, P. A. (2022). Taking charge of transitions: Preventing behavior problems in prekindergartners through engaging routines. Poster presented at the 56th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). New York, NY.

Obee, A. F., Hart, K. C. (2021). Supporting paraprofessionals in the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD. Table Talk facilitated at the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Special Interest Group Preconference for the 55th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). Virtual Convention.