What is BELONG?
The Bullying, Empowerment, and Learning Online Network Group, also known as BELONG, is a FREE virtual group program provided by supervised trained facilitators for middle school students, grades 6-8, who have experienced bullying. BELONG is a group intervention delivered over a six-week period for students who have experienced or currently are experiencing bullying. BELONG facilitators help teach students about what bullying is, learn problem-solving strategies, and coping strategies, all while building connections with one another.
What does the BELONG program look like?
If your child is found eligible to participate, they will meet weekly, for six weeks, via Zoom web-conferencing technology, with a UNL graduate student facilitator and 4-5 other same-age, same-gender students who also have been bullied. Each week, the facilitator will help students learn more about bullying, learn problem-solving skills, as well as coping strategies. Students will complete weekly activities in between sessions to help them build on learned concepts and weekly questionnaires. Following participation, students and their parents/guardians will be invited for follow-up interviews to share thoughts about BELONG.
*Parental consent and youth assent are required prior to student participation in BELONG
How do I refer a student?
A nomination form for the student must be completed first. Please see the links below to complete the form. Once the form is completed, the projector director will contact parents/guardians regarding their interest in participating. If interested, parents/legal guardians will be asked to complete screening materials to determine if their child is eligible. If found eligible, parental consent and assent is obtained prior to participation (See flowchart below).
For more information about BELONG, please see our flyers:
How can I refer a student?
School Personnel:
To nominate a student, please click here to complete: BELONG Nomination Form
Once you complete the form, the BELONG project director will contact parents to determine if they are interested in their child participating.
How can I determine if my child is eligible to participate?
Parents and Caregivers:
To find out if your child is eligible, please click here to complete: BELONG Eligibility Form
Once you complete the form, the BELONG project director will contact you to inform you of your child's eligibility for participation in BELONG.
Do you have questions? Contact us!
If you have questions about the program or would like to refer a student to BELONG, please contact Susan Swearer, supervising psychologist, and Emilea Rejman, project director at: belongproject@unl.edu