April 16, 2020

Purdue College of Health and Human Sciences launches faculty-led initiative to support families during COVID-19 pandemic

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As people face the daily challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences is providing a set of resources for families of all ages and generations.

“Families Tackling Tough Times Together” is a 10-week initiative that provides materials on family and child resilience.

“Families are facing stress from numerous actions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, a professor of human development and family studies and coordinator of the project. “Every family has strengths, but at times like this they can benefit from being encouraged and reminded of that. We are providing resources to help families with information, as well as engaging and fun activities during this time. We also are inviting families to share their experiences and messages of support. We are inviting both civilian and military families to participate together, since they are experiencing many similar challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

wadsworth-profile Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, a professor of human development and family studies and director of the Center for Families and the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. (Purdue University photo) Download image

MacDermid Wadsworth, who is also director of the Center for Families and the Military Family Research Institute, brought together more than 60 faculty, staff and students from Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue Extension – Health and Human Sciences, and colleagues from across Purdue and around the country to rapidly build this “pop-up” initiative.   

The free resource launched today (April 16) via a Facebook group.

Program materials will be released each week but can be used at any time. Topics for the 10-week program are:

  • Week 1: Believing, sharing, acting.
  • Week 2: Our family can do this.
  • Week 3: Our family is creative.
  • Week 4: We care about each other.
  • Week 5: Our family will get through this.
  • Week 6: We share our feelings constructively.
  • Week 7: Our family is adaptable.
  • Week 8: We can get stronger.
  • Week 9: We tell each other the truth.
  • Week 10: We take action.

The College of Health and Human Sciences is home to the departments of Health and Kinesiology; Human Development and Family Studies; Nutrition Science; Psychological Sciences; Public Health; Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences; and the schools of Nursing, Health Sciences, and Hospitality and Tourism Management. 

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at purdue.edu.

 

Writer: Matthew Oates, 765-586-7496 (cell), oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Source: Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, shelley@purdue.edu, @MFRIPurdue

Note to Journalists: A photo of Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, as well as a stock photo, are available on Google Drive. MacDermid Wadsworth is available for phone or web-based video interviews.

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