Empowering Families and Caregivers: New Courses Help Schools Extend SEL Support Beyond the Classroom

Strengthening the Circle of Support for Students

In the wake of the pandemic, schools across the country have experienced a significant increase in student mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and other well-being concerns. At the same time, evidence continues to show that school-based social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health and well-being programs play a critical role in improving student outcomes. As these challenges persist, it’s more important than ever for districts to strategically leverage every available resource to support students’ social and emotional well-being. One of the most powerful resources, one that can be difficult to incorporate when planning these programs, is students’ families and caregivers.

SEL and well-being programs are more effective when they extend into the home and can engage families and caregivers in understanding, experiencing, informing, and supporting their students’ social and emotional development. After all, parents and caregivers are students’ first teachers, and they play a vital role in supporting students’ well-being and helping them develop the SEL skills needed to succeed. Family support can also help lower risks in areas like youth suicide, substance misuse, and mental health issues.

Provide Practical Guidance for Parents and Caregivers on Today’s Most Pressing
Student Wellness Issues

To help bridge the gap between school and home when it comes to SEL and well-being programming, Vector Solutions has introduced a new library of online courses specifically designed for parents and caregivers.

Vector Solutions’ Parent and Caregiver library of courses helps schools expand and strengthen the circle of support for students by equipping those who care for them with practical strategies around social-emotional learning, mental health, digital safety, and more.

About the Courses

The new Parent and Caregiver courses align with Vector’s school-based Student Safety and Wellness program for middle and high school students. These courses support school districts in expanding SEL and well-being efforts beyond the classrooms and school buildings.
The engaging 20-minute online courses for parents and caregivers address topics ranging from how to help students balance their screen time to recognizing the warning signs for substance misuse.

Course topics include:

• Absenteeism: Impacts and Strategies to Ensure Success
• Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
• Impact of Social Media and Cell Phone Usage on Students
• Promoting Healthy Digital Boundaries
• Recognizing Signs of Youth Suicide Risk
• Recognizing and Understanding Substance Misuse
• Supporting Responsible Decision Making
• Promoting Healthy Relationships

The Parent and Caregiver library is designed to help families become active partners in supporting student safety and well-being and to help districts comply with state and federal policies and legislation.

Features of the course library include:

• Alignment with legislative guidance, such as Erin’s Law, helping districts meet compliance requirements and strategic goals. Erin’s Law, which has been passed in 38 states, requires schools to train staff and students about sexual abuse detection and prevention. It also requires public schools to teach parents and guardians about the warning signs of child sexual abuse.
• A user-friendly web-based format and 24/7 access, providing flexibility for parents and caregivers to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.
• Accessibility features, including availability in 20 languages, closed captions, and interactive transcripts to support parents of all backgrounds and abilities.
• A parent and caregiver climate survey that helps school districts understand parent and caregiver perceptions of their students’ school environment and supports home-school partnerships.

Creating a comprehensive SEL and well-being program means ensuring that parents and caregivers are included. Partnering with families will help programs have a bigger impact and will empower districts to set students up for success.