Jose Castillo

Dr. Jose Castillo serves as Professor of School Psychology in the College of Education at the University of South Florida and co-directs the Institute for School-Community Partnerships, Integrated Services, and Child Mental Health and Educational Policy. His institute has secured over $150 million in external funding with an annual budget exceeding $25 million, focusing on partnerships with schools, families, and communities to advance evidence-based practices.

His research program centers on evaluating Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) implementation through systems and equity lenses, alongside professional issues in school psychology. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on culturally responsive consultation, discipline equity within SWPBIS frameworks, and systemic barriers to MTSS adoption, with increasing attention to racial justice and interprofessional collaboration since 2020.

Dr. Castillo leads major grant-funded initiatives including the Florida Problem Solving/Response to Intervention project, providing technical assistance for federal and state policy implementation. His institute develops research-based tools for MTSS monitoring while addressing critical shortages in school psychology personnel through statewide workforce studies.