To celebrate National Work and Family Month, the university's Office of Work, Life and Engagement has planned several initiatives for employees that address issues ranging from child care to cyberbullying to caring for aging adults.
At the Johns Hopkins Work and Family Fair, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, in East Baltimore's Turner Concourse, more than 30 experts will provide information related to work-life effectiveness. Representatives from local organizations will be available to discuss child care and parenting, aging parents/older adults, finances, legal issues, and health and wellness. Also, Susan Magsamen, director of interdisciplinary partnerships at the university's School of Medicine and Brain Science Institute, and founder of a learning initiative called Curiosityville, will speak at 11:30 a.m. in Tilghman Auditorium about changes in the brain across the lifespan and their impact on learning.
In partnership with Curiosityville, Work, Life and Engagement will begin a pilot program for families with children ages 3 to 8. Curiosityville is a personalized digital learning world led by a cast of characters who guide children through playful activities that build skills in 10 essential learning areas. As the children play, the program's data collection and analytical engine provides parents with personalized recommendations for their child's learning at home, online, and in the community. Two hundred employees can register for the pilot at a significantly reduced annual membership fee of $25; 50 of the spots are designated for employees who make less than $40,000 and will not require a membership fee.
Also this month, parents of teenagers can participate in a lunchtime webinar on social networking that will help them explore different types of social media. Additional topics will include personal branding, privacy settings, and cyberbullying. Another lunchtime workshop will focus on the financial aid process for college, including why it is important to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and how to become eligible for tuition discounts, state grants, and endowment awards.
For more information about the initiatives, including dates, times, and locations, go to hopkinsworklife.org/familysupport.
Posted in University News
