Know

There are few professional experiences as stressful as suspecting and reporting child abuse or neglect. Before and after the report, you will likely feel a range of emotions. Read these quotes from professionals who have experienced this situation. Reflect on how you might feel.

The emotions can be even more complicated when you suspect and report child abuse or neglect that occurred in your own program. You may suspect one of your colleagues or friends. You may be neighbors or attend the same community events. You might worry that you will be judged or socially excluded because of your report. You may feel compelled to “cover” for someone you know or like. You may also feel pressured to protect the reputation of your program. All of these emotions are natural, but you must remember your legal obligation to protect children from harm. If a child has been harmed or is in imminent risk of harm, you must make a report. Remember, you are in the right. It is not OK for anyone to pressure you not to report a clear suspicion of abuse or neglect. Do not ignore your instincts. A child’s life may depend on it.

The stress of this type of event can feel overwhelming, especially when you add your own life stressors—child rearing, marital conflict, housing issues, or financial concerns. It is important that you take care of yourself. Whether you are preparing meals, cleaning the center, fixing a leaking faucet, answering the phone, or greeting families as they arrive, you play an important role in the daily operation and overall quality of your program. You must be at your best to do the important work of providing a high-quality program for children and families. When you feel calm, comfortable, and confident, you are better able to connect with children and families, have positive interactions with coworkers, and feel successful at your job.

Experts have identified certain skills that help families persevere through challenges they face. The same protective factors that help families cope with challenges apply to all of us as adults. Let’s explore each of the protective factors and how they might apply to your own well-being. This material has been adapted from the Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: A Network for Action 2013 Resource Guide by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

See

You do hard work every day. To keep yourself mentally and physically healthy, you must learn to recognize your own signs of stress. Watch and listen as experts discuss stress and the importance of building adult resilience.

Do

Earlier in the lesson, you reviewed the five protective factors that can help protect you from stress, especially in the aftermath of making a report of abuse or neglect. Now, consider some ways you can apply these protective factors at work. Consider the following strategies adapted from Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: A Network for Action 2013 Resource Guide by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Building Your Resilience

• Build trusting relationships with the coworkers you see every day. Take the time to get to know these people. The time spent investing in relationships through conversations and celebrations can help you enjoy your job more and do better at it.
• Take the time to get to know the families and children in your program. Even though your interactions with children and families are not as frequent as those of direct care providers, you are an important member of the program. Take the time to build relationships with them so that you feel more confident in your role as a mandated reporter. Talk regularly with your supervisor or administrator. This person is there to support you in your work and can help you when you need it. Your supervisor or administrator can be a valuable professional resource for you.
• Find out about mental health support resources in your program. Mental health professionals should be part of your team. Talk to them whenever you feel the need.
• Watch for early signs of stress in yourself. Get help early.
• Seek out professional development on strategies that reduce stress: goal setting, anticipating difficulties, problem-solving, communication, and self-care. Regardless of your role, attending a training on one of these topics can enhance your job performance and professional development.
• Remember that mental health and physical health are interrelated. Take the time to exercise and eat well, and seek out opportunities for relaxation, meditation, or prayer.
• Work with your program manager to establish when you can take time away from your program. Taking time off work is important for your well-being, so be proactive about securing the personal time you need and deserve.

Knowledge of Child Development

• Complete courses on the Virtual Lab School that are assigned to you and talk to your program manager about additional trainings that you can complete to enhance your knowledge of child development.
• Seek out resources in your community and online. There are a variety of tools available from reputable agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has compiled easily accessible information about developmental milestones. You can also find information at educational resource centers.
• Take advantage of professional development opportunities that enhance your knowledge of child development and support learning goals relevant to your role and interests.

Social Connections

• Use (or talk to management about creating) a relaxing space in your program where you can take a break.
• Attend social events, like staff potlucks or family events held at your program. Connect with families and coworkers during these events to get to know them better.
• Develop a new hobby or work on an existing one. Take a class on a topic that interests you. Community colleges, local retailers, and community recreation departments offer inexpensive courses around a variety of topics like cooking, technology, foreign languages, exercise, and knitting.
• Build or retain strong connections with your neighborhood, place of worship, or other community institutions.

Concrete Supports

• Admit when you need help. If you are struggling with finances, relationship issues, or other personal concerns, don’t let yourself become overwhelmed. When you are honest about getting the help you need, you can be a good role model for your friends and coworkers.
• Learn about health care options, childcare subsidies, and other benefits that might help you and the families you serve.
• With your program manager, discuss concrete supports relevant to your role that you might offer to families (e.g., a nutrition workshop or food pantry resource list).
• Watch for signs of stress in yourself and talk to someone who can help. If you have a history of trauma yourself, you may be especially vulnerable to stress. Reporting abuse or neglect can trigger a reawakening of past traumas, so be especially vigilant if you have just filed a report.

Social and Emotional Competence of Children

• Talk to your program manager about the strategies direct care staff members use to promote children’s social and emotional competence and ways that you can build children’s social and emotional competence through your interactions as well.  
• Talk to your program manager about posting a chart of developmental milestones in the program as a reminder to all staff members and families.
• Remember you can be a safe and stable influence in a child’s life.