Reimagining Systems to Reach Families Where They Are
Project EMPOWER at Medway is a partnership with Medway Public Schools in Massachusetts and Boston University–based researchers focused on addressing school-related chronic absenteeism.
The project studies whether Project EMPOWER, a caregiver-centered intervention, can help reduce absenteeism by providing caregivers with practical anxiety management resources to support students who may be avoiding school due to anxiety or related challenges.
Caregivers participate through an interactive survey distributed at 2-week, 4-week, and 8-week intervals. These surveys help researchers understand caregiver experiences, track engagement with the resources, and assess whether the intervention supports improved student attendance over time.
Parent FAQs
Will my answers be confidential?
Yes! Your information will be stored on Boston University's secure server network. Only approved study staff will have access.
What is it?
Project EMPOWER @ Medway is studying how a short online program might help reduce your child's school absenteeism.
Who is eligible?
If your child has been identified as "at risk" for anxiety through the GAD-7 screening or are flagged by the school.
What's in it for me?
Project EMPOWER equips you with evidence-based skills to manage your child's anxious avoidance of school. The program will help your child become more resilient to stress over time.
School Staff FAQs
Who is eligible for the study?
If a caregiver's child scores 8 or higher on the GAD-7 - indicating "risk" for anxiety or are flagged as at-risk for chronic absenteeism (missing 3 or more days in a 10-day window), they are eligible!
How do I refer families?
Study flyers from emails, QR codes, and the weblink for the button above will work!
What will families be doing in this study?
Parents will learn how school absenteeism is maintained through anxiety cycles and how to help their children ovecome fears/anxieties involving attendance at school.