Legislation to Support Staff Wellness

• Substitute House Bill 1363
• RCW 28A.300.825 

Certificated and classified staff, like many others in helping professions, tend to experience Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), also referred to as Compassion Fatigue, at greater rates than those in other professions due to the persistent exposure to and expectation of caretaking for students with emotionally painful experiences. In other words, STS can be an outcome of what is an educator's greatest asset: they care deeply about their students and families. Signs and symptoms of STS vary but when left unaddressed may lead to staff turnover, burnout, adult chronic absenteeism and health issues which negatively impacts everyone in the school community.

Resources to Support Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS):

• SmartHealth Login 
• Alliance For A Healthier Generation
• Secondary Traumatic Stress and Self-Care Packet 
• Toolkit - Educator Wellness - Breathe for Change 

Identify and Monitor STS: 

• Compassion fatigue self-test http://www.ptsdsupport.net/compassion_fatugue-selftest.html
• Professional quality of life scale, ProQOL 5 http://proqol.org/ProQol_Test.html
  
  

Additional Resources to Support Wellness:

• Diabetes Programs (SEBB)
• Living Tobacco Free (SEBB)