This blogpost defines the concepts of caregiver burnout versus compassion fatigue. It also presents how to recognize compassion fatigue by identifying warning signs in family caregivers, and how to use self-care to prevent compassion fatigue.

The National Association of Case Management held a webinar on May 13, 2020, during which participants learned about the symptoms of Caregiver Fatigue, how to recognize Caregiver Fatigue prior to the symptoms becoming problematic, and ways to identify techniques to reduce symptoms of Caregiver Fatigue. The webinar was led by Bridget Thompson, a Certified Health Coach and a Housing Coordinator at Region V Systems, where she manages programs specializing in housing individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, and mental health and substance abuse issues. A webinar recording is available for download.

This toolkit responds to a technical assistance request by the Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up program to support ongoing efforts seeking to better serve families through a trauma-informed lens. The toolkit reflects information gathered through a series of ongoing discussions and two site visits with leadership and staff from the Vermont Department for Children and Families that occurred between March and October 2019. It uses the Vermont Reach Up program as a model to illustrate how other TANF programs can apply and adapt information and tools to inform their efforts to build more trauma-informed policies, practices, and offices.

This toolkit provides leaders overseeing frontline staff, managers, or other unit-based roles with guidance on assessing their staff’s potential risk of compassion fatigue. The toolkit identifies a five-step process for administering a compassion fatigue assessment, and includes a compassion fatigue discussion guide and a compassion fatigue literature guide.

This blogpost addresses several topics related to compassion fatigue. It defines and identifies symptoms of compassion fatigue compared to burnout and primary traumatic stress. The blogpost also graphically illustrates the compassion fatigue process, offers tips for managing compassion fatigue, and presents the ABC’s of Prevention — Awareness, Balance, and Connections.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other human services programs faced unprecedented challenges managing the COVID-19 global pandemic. They were tasked with serving America’s most vulnerable families as they navigated difficult economic circumstances and public health risks. TANF program staff reported that they and the families they serve were showing signs of stress, including lack of focus, fatigue, agitation, and a sense of hopelessness. In response to these crises, TANF leaders adapted in new and innovative ways to support staff and families. This Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation brief captures how TANF programs adapted to promote staff and participant wellness and the innovative adaptations that leaders might consider adopting or sustaining moving forward.

This blogpost illustrates how to cope with negative emotions spurred by holidays and family gatherings. The blogpost presents the Change Triangle to providers as a guide to help clients work with emotions and the ways they avoid them, as well as steps to “work the triangle” and identify and be with emotions so they stay connected with themselves. Vignettes explain how two individuals used the Change Triangle, and five suggestions are presented to help families and individuals get through the holidays.

Children and youth are dealing with new challenges due to COVID-19, like social distancing, changes to their routines, and a lost sense of security and safety, making them especially vulnerable to feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed. For some children, these challenges are exacerbated by the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on their communities. Black and Hispanic Americans, in particular, have faced a disproportionate share of COVID-19 cases. The tools offered in five interactive videos, tailored for either younger children and their parents or for youth and teens, help support their emotional wellbeing by guiding an understanding about how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected.

During the holiday season, families are dealing with stress from multiple sources, including navigating how to safely gather given the COVID-19 safety protocols. This National Child Traumatic Stress Network fact sheet offers parents and caregivers a set of strategies and ideas to make the holiday season special. These strategies include starting a family conversation on what has changed and how family members are feeling, finding ways to make connections, making small moments matter, keeping a routine, and noticing good things. The fact sheet also suggests ideas for self-care and notes on how to find available help and support.

This online fact sheet begins with an illustration of the body areas affected by stress and a list of anxiety symptoms. The fact sheet follows with several questions about holiday depression, anxiety, and stress, and their causes, risk factors, symptoms, and signs. Questions include: How do health care professionals diagnose and treat holiday, anxiety, stress, and depression? What kinds of specialists treat them? What are possible complications and the prognosis? and Is it possible to prevent holiday depression, anxiety, and stress?