Trauma Stewardship Training for Foster Care Professionals

On November 17, more than 80 teachers, counselors, social workers and college support specialists attended a training on trauma stewardship at Yakima Valley Community College.

The keynote speaker was Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, a pioneer in the field of trauma exposure. She works with diverse groups like U.S. Air Force pilots, nurses, natural disaster reconstruction workers and public school teachers.

Children in foster care often experience neglect and then frequently experience upheaval,  including changes in the schools they attend, the families they live with as well as the access they have to their siblings. Social workers, educators and supportive adults bear witness to the hardships experienced by these young people. Over time, this distress begins building, taking a cumulative toll that results in many negative outcomes like exhaustion, the feeling of not doing enough, compassion fatigue, cynicism and more.

Van Dernoot Lipsky shared experiences from her life working and helping others exposed to trauma and stressed the importance of finding balance and being present. She emphasized, that everyone is affected by trauma and it is critical for caregivers to take care of themselves and to recognize and acknowledge the effects of personal, professional and global trauma. Caregivers need to sustain themselves and be resilient.

She closed the training with a poignant quote from Howard Thurman,

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

The training, co-hosted by College Success Foundation, Yakima Valley Community College, Washington Student Achievement Council and Catholic Charities of Central Washington, presented a great opportunity to bring an internationally acclaimed trainer to the underserved, rural community of Yakima.  Attendees from across the region enjoyed the opportunity to convene and gain valuable insights to serve the foster care community. A Selah School District employee commented, “This was an amazing workshop. Our entire counseling staff was able to attend. The topic was applicable, and I was able to take away strategies for taking care of myself without feeling guilty.”

Learn more about Laura van Dernoot Lipsky and trauma stewardship:
Watch Laura’s TedTalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOzDGrcvmus
Visit the website: http://traumastewardship.com/laura-van-dernoot-lipsky/