Hello! Thank you for your interest in our HOT DOCS class. The HOT DOCSparent training program is for parents, caregivers, and professionals who have or work with kidsages 1-7 years. However, we've had parents of kids as young as 1 month and as old as 12 years come through and report benefitting from the program. The skills we teach are behaviorally-based, so they are applicable to people of all ages, but the examples and stories and videos we use to teach are mostly aimed at kids 2-7.

The backbone of our program is to teach caregivers a problem-solving method to figure out the function or the "why" of kids’ problem behaviors. Once we figure out the "why" we can teach specific prevention strategies and techniques for modifying the consequences of a child's behavior to either strengthen or weaken the behavior. Another of our main strategies is to help adults realize that often kids use problem behaviors because they don't have the skills or know how to do more appropriate behaviors. So our job as adults is to specifically TEACH kids the behaviors we want them to do. Just like we would with a sport or an academic skill, most kids need to be taught behaviors like waiting and sharing.

We are currently accepting registration for the following upcoming class in English:

1)Wednesday eveningsfrom 6pm-8:30pm beginning WednesdayJanuary6th at the Children’s Medical Center on USF’s campus (13101 N. Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, 33612)

  • The class meets for 7 weeks: 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, (skip 2/10 because instructors will be at a conference), 2/17, & 2/24
  • Class is open to all caregivers (parents, grandparents, relatives, teachers, guidance counselors, early interventionists, therapists, pediatricians, etc.)
  • Children do not attend classes with you (and parents are responsible for arranging their own childcare)
  • Fee is $100 for 1 or 2 caregivers from the same family/household(sliding scale fee available for those with financial hardship)

To register: Seats will be filled based on first persons to complete both steps of the registration process:

1)Respond to this email with the information requested below. You will receive a confirmation email that your registration information was received and directions on how to use our online payment system to complete your registration will be attached.

2)Complete the on-line payment process. You will receive confirmation of payment received & that registration is complete.

*If you are not able to complete the process on-line, please call & speak to me directly to work out an alternative.

Please email the following registration information to :

  • Class you would like to register for (Specify JanuaryWednesday evenings)
  • Names of all caregivers who plan to attend (1-2 included in fee):
  • Relationship of caregivers to child (mother, father, grandfather, foster parent, etc.)
  • Child's name:
  • Child's date of birth & age:
  • Mailing address:
  • Phone number to contact you:
  • Best e-mail address to contact you:
  • Person who referred you or told you about our program:

Please let me know if you have any questions.

I look forward to hearing back from you,

Dr. Carrie

Carrie Adams, PhD, NCSP

USF Health- Pediatrics

HOT DOCS/DOCS for SuccessProgram Director

813-974-1048