University provides new resource amid COVID-19 pandemic in line with President Jarrell’s family-first approach.
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the lives of University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) students, faculty, and staff. Most of the UMB community continues to work and learn from home, and almost 50 percent of employees have children in the K-12 grades. Others might have elder care responsibilities, too, and the pandemic has produced economic strain for many.
This added stress and anxiety has not gone unnoticed, and UMB leadership understands the importance of allowing flexibility and providing support during this extended period of virtual work and learning, which will continue until at least March 31, 2021.
As one means of support, UMB has contracted with a firm to provide a program called UMB Guidance Resources that provides free services and resources to assist families with daycare and elder care, legal and financial concerns, and much more.
This resource is in line with a commitment by UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, that the University’s actions in response to COVID-19 will be guided with a primary focus on families.
In a letter to the UMB community in July, Jarrell wrote, “I understand that many will be juggling child care and their current job responsibilities. I believe in a family-first approach and want parents and caregivers to know that UMB supports you, and we continue to examine possible ways in which we can assist you.”
UMB students and employees can access UMB Guidance Resources at any time at no cost. For more information on how to access the program, visit http://umaryland.edu/UMBguidanceresources.