O.C.E.A.N., Inc. staff participated in Culture and Ethics in Crisis Response: Prioritizing Self-Care and Resilience Workshop

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. staff including Head Start Family Partners, agency Grants Officer/Compliance and Social Workers from local organizations participated in the Culture and Ethics in Crisis Response Workshop facilitated by Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, CCS, CPS, BCPC, MAC. Ms. Lopez, an experienced clinician, educator and consultant works in the field of prevention and is an Associate Teaching Professor at Rutgers University.

Throughout the workshop Ms. Lopez discussed working with crisis, understanding the dynamics of resiliency and prioritized self-care while establishing a healthy work-life balance. Discussion included a comprehensive approach to self-care from a neuropsychological perspective, ensuring that attendees grasped not only the “why” of self-care but also the “how.” Participants were provided with practical self-care techniques to incorporate into daily routines without it being overly time-consuming or burdensome.

Many workers are exposed to trauma directly and indirectly through their workplace settings. Research shows that those who practice self-care early in their careers are better able and more likely to effectively manage these experiences. In the long term, self-care can reduce staff turnover rates and burnout, and therefore increase the quality of client care.