Hello,
I created ADDRESS the STRESS in 2017 to bring awareness to the stress and secondary trauma endured by child protection service agents … I wanted to offer help and ideas to reduce it! Since then, my research has expanded into other helping professions, first responders, caregivers, and more.
As a longtime child welfare caseworker and former therapeutic foster parent, I have experienced firsthand the damaging effects of this work, including the stress on my mind and physical being, and the stress it caused in some of my relationships.
I created ADDRESS the STRESS in part because I was sure I was not alone…
In Spring 2017, I joined the trauma board at my CPS agency and began to research secondary trauma and stress associated with the profession of child welfare. I was quite alarmed by not only the damaging side-effects, but the lack of awareness by workers in the field and by those outside the field. I decided to bring awareness and make efforts to reduce the damage to myself and my colleagues.
In June 2017, I presented my initiative to the Director and weeks later the entire agency. I was moved by the number of workers who approached me and thanked me for creating such an initiative – one even said she would have stayed in the ongoing unit had she not felt alone in her stress.
In November 2017, I hosted my first brown bag luncheon titled: Testifying with Confidence! I worked to get it approved as a working lunch and attendees earned a training credit. I then hosted one titled Effective Case Plan Writing and another PC Hearings: Preparation and Delivery. Caseworkers who attended these expressed how much they meant and how they helped them in their duties and to reduce stress.
In January 2018, I was approached by the training department and asked to host a workshop for support staff on the matter of secondary trauma. I hosted three workshops. I could feel the stress and pain … but also the relief that the matter was being discussed.
And then I got busy at work, too many cases and too little time. My husband and kids needed me more and so things had to slow down … I was spreading myself too thin.
But ADDRESS the STRESS never left my mind … and so my research continued … and my passion only grew … and so I kept at it …
My hope is that I can help others understand secondary trauma from their work and help them reduce the effects it has on their mind, body, and relationships.
I want everyone to be at their best … and I believe it starts by letting people know they’re not alone.
Let’s ADDRESS the STRESS! 💙
My very best,
Lauri Wolfe
ADDRESS the STRESS 