Foster Care Training

In our work as child welfare providers much of our time is spent taking care of client needs. However, finding ways to care for ourselves is crucial to our own sustainability and that of our work/programs. We know that working with other people that are experiencing past and/or current trauma can cause vicarious or secondary trauma leading to burnout and compassion fatigue. This includes people surrounding, supporting someone thru, and/or hearing about a traumatic event that may develop similar traumatic symptoms, including PTSD. The goal here is to provide participants with tools to understand and identify risks and symptoms of vicarious trauma, and reduce and prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. Participants will evaluate their own stress levels, and examine some of the root causes of burnout within programs/organizations. We will also explore a variety of techniques including mindfulness and resilience practices that can be easily incorporated into our work. Participants will leave having created strategies to reduce the risks and impacts of vicarious trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue.