One barrier to academic accessibility during this global pandemic is the ongoing anxiety and stress occurring in families due to social distancing and racial tensions across the nation. In an effort to provide support to Maryland families, the Bowie State University (BSU) School Psychology program within the College of Education has partnered with several public and private schools to implement the BSU Building Online Learning Disciplines (BOLD) Parent Training Initiative. BSU BOLD is funded through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, and is one of 30 programs chosen by the Maryland State Department of Education to help provide education stabilization as a result of COVID-19.

 

The goal of BSU BOLD is to facilitate family psychological wellness and online learning skills through culturally responsive family mental health support and parent academic coaching. During the monthly sessions, parents and caretakers will have the opportunity to unpack some of the stressors and anxieties surrounding home-based distance learning. In addition, parents will learn approaches for helping their children become more effective online learners. BSU BOLD program activities will be delivered completely online via Zoom.

 

The BSU BOLD parent training initiative is culturally responsive, virtual, and resourceful. This project aims to be responsive to the current social unrest and pandemic-related anxieties experienced by children and parents. It is our hope that from the group sessions parents will gain clarity, focus, and coping skills necessary for positioning their children to become effective online learners.

 

Principal Investigator: Jennifer West, Ph.D.

Co-Principal Investigator: Kimberly Daniel, Ph.D.

Co-Principal Investigator: Darla Scott, Ph.D.