So much of what we do every day at DCF consists of supporting and helping others. It's certainly a high stake, and high reward field of work. Between the demands of our work, and caring for our loved ones, and the infinite 'surprises' life throws at us, time for self-care can escape us.
Particularly now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced us to reorganize and shift priorities – both at home and at work – we all can benefit from some mindfulness.
Research shows that child welfare workers and professionals in social services experience a higher level of stress and vicarious trauma than most other professions. Not only does this impact workers' quality of life, but it compromises their ability to fully support the children and families in their care.
To support your health and well-being, we have collected the following resources. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and resources and information may be added from time to time as it becomes available. Be well. Stay well.
- News Report: That feeling you can’t name? It’s called emotional exhaustion
- Pandemic Fatigue
- DCF Health and Wellness
- Video: Commissioner Beyer's Message on COVID-19 De-Escalation Tips
- Montclair Wellness Support for DCF Staff
- Worker2Worker Welness Webinar Series
- Dr. Gerard Costa and Dr. Joy Osofsky presented a 1-hour webinar on Supporting Families and Caregivers of Infants and Young Children Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Alia Innovations will be opening the archives of its popular Microlearning Sessions. The episodes will be staggered in their release. To listen to the episodes at your leisure, follow Alia on Facebook.
- Dr. Ken Verni is offering Cultivating and Sharing Spacious Presence: Morning Mindfulness Group sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 7:30am -8:15 a.m. at this link, using password Awareness with meeting number: 794 664 844.
- Dr. Ken Verni is also offering a Mindfulness Practice for Stress Reduction and Resilience in Unique Times Monday through Thursday, 11:15 a.m. to Noon at this link, using password TCaax3Yhw72 with meeting number: 793 875 678.
- The Alliance for Strong Families and Communities is hosting free webinars entitled ‘COVID-19: Quick Resilience: A Weekly Dose of Self-Care for Immediate Relief’ every Friday between April 10-June 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. You must register to participate.
- New Jersey State Bar Foundation Resilience: Getting Through Stressful Times
- Your coping and resilience strategies might need to shift as the COVID-19 crisis continues
- Why You Might Be Feeling Socially Anxious Coming Out of Quarantine
- 5 Ways To Practice Mindfulness While Working From Home
- A Psychologist Explains the Power of Affirmations
- How To Use Positive Affirmations To Soothe Your COVID-19 Anxiety
- Top 40 Positive Affirmations to Reduce Coronavirus Stress
- Build Your Resilience in the Face of a Crisis by Rasmus Hougaard, Jacqueline Carter and Moses Mohan March 19, 2020
- What Is Resilience? By Kendra Cherry Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW, November 27, 2019
- Building resilience in ourselves and our children by Parenting Now! For the Register-Guard, Posted Mar 30, 2020
- Building Resilience in the Era of COVID-19: 5 practices for growth amidst pressing challenges, Psychology Today, Mar 30, 2020
- 9 Essential Skills That Make You Resilient, Everyday Health, By Amit Sood, MD and Medically Reviewed by Allison Young, MD, Last updated on September 17, 2019
- Unleashing the Power of Resiliency: The Teacher’s Super Power, By ASCD Guest Blogger, October 6, 2015