Foster Care Training

Working with youth and families in the juvenile justice system can be stressful. We need to take care of ourselves in order to be able to care for others. This course explores the importance of maintaining boundaries and self-care for youth service providers in maintaining effectiveness as a helping professional and our personal well-being. This class discusses personal issues that impact our work including emotional boundaries, the zone of involvement, client transference, and staff countertransference. We will also review ethical practice issues with clients and guidelines for professional helping relationships. Secondary traumatic stress experienced by youth service providers in working with youth and families will be discussed including symptoms, effects, and how to manage secondary trauma. This class also provides participants with stress management information and skills for maintaining personal well-being. The stress response cycle, signs of stress and coping skills for managing stress will be discussed with individual exercises and group activities. Stress reduction techniques reviewed include relaxation methods, social support, time management, assertive communication, changing negative beliefs, positive thinking and self-talk and healthy life styles.