We support the mental wellness and training needs of Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) teams serving rural communities through clinically-informed
Staff Support Services and Online Training Development for Child Welfare Teams
Interested Agencies
We provide specialized child welfare training exclusively to partners in Health and Human Services Agencies (HHSA) that manage and oversee rural child welfare and related social service programs. Our services are offered through ongoing, contracted partnerships aligned with the fiscal year. Currently, we do not provide one-time training or standalone services. To submit an interest form, click here.
Agency Partners
Current Partner Agencies: Click the image below to access your county’s resource page.
ABOUT US
Our team has leadership experience in helping professionals manage crises, navigate organizational dynamics, and serve trauma-exposed populations. We help organizations like you prioritize the mental wellness of your workforce and increase trauma-informed practices through online training and consulting on topics related to
- Resilience Building
- Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC)
- Burnout Prevention and Recovery and
- Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)
- Child Welfare topics (Emergency Response, Family Reunification, Family Maintenance, Permanent Placement, Non-Minor Dependents, ICWA, Transition Age Youth, etc.)
Our goal is to provide you, the helping professional, with education, support, and tools that allow you to experience a fulfilling career without sacrificing your overall well-being.
WHO WE WORK WITH
After delivering custom training and education to U.S. and international audiences, including partnerships with private and nonprofit organizations such as Health and Human Services Agencies (HHSA), Foster Kinship and Care Education (FKCE), tech companies, and school districts, we now exclusively partner with HHSAs that manage and oversee rural child welfare and related social service programs navigating
- High work demands
- Ongoing crisis management or triage
- Urgent deadlines
- Detail-oriented and high-liability projects/responsibilities
- Ongoing exposure to traumatic events or trauma-exposed and vulnerable populations
OCCUPATIONAL RISKS OF WORKING IN THE HELPING PROFESSIONS
Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) are common occupational hazards experienced by many professionals in high-stress, helping environments. Without the proper support in place, employees may be at risk of developing symptoms consistent with direct and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and burnout.
These symptoms can negatively impact employee wellness, decision-making, productivity, performance, retention, and overall workplace culture.
Our goal is to provide you with the education, tools, and support necessary to help your organization mitigate the risks of Burnout, Compassion Fatigue (Empathic Strain), and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and build an educated, resilient workforce equipped to manage these hazards.
SPECIALIZED CHILD WELFARE TRAINING
We provide specialized child welfare training to support workforce development in areas such as
- resilience building
- teaming/collaboration
- trauma-informed care
- ethics and confidentiality
- issues involved in child abuse and neglect
- impact of secondary trauma
- case management and visitation
- cultural responsiveness
- youth engagement
- and permanency planning
Our services are designed to help agencies support onboarding training, provide ongoing and on-demand staff support, and strengthen workforce knowledge and skills as they work to promote safety, permanency, and well-being for children and families.
*We do not currently provide outside speaking or training services at this time.
REQUEST A CONSULT WITH OUR TEAM
To evaluate if and how we can meet your needs, it is essential first to understand
- the nature of your request
- level of initial assessment
- customization needs
- urgency and
- expected outcomes
For this reason, we offer a free 30-minute video consultation with a member of our team. Additional consultations require a prepaid, non-refundable fee of $375 per hour. Please note that we require your camera to be on during the consult. Consults will not be completed via phone or audio only.
*Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time PST (North America)
Custom and Clinically Informed Training
Navigating mental wellness in the workplace has become an increasing need for organizations. Even with the availability of traditional Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), organizations still find themselves needing additional support for their employees and leadership teams. To support you in prioritizing the mental wellness of your workforce, we offer custom training on burnout, secondary trauma, and other mental health related topics. Training is available via webinar platform.
*Not accepting training requests. Currently at capacity.
Custom Online Courses
Subscription access to ongoing, self-paced online courses on mental health topics, burnout prevention, Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) education, resilience building and other Child Welfare topics specific to your organization’s needs. Online courses may include access to multimedia resources including training and education videos, audio learning, worksheets, reflective activities and custom workbooks. We partner with A.M.P. Smart Business for all production and editing needs. *Onboarding and customization fees apply.
Small Town Counseling® Employee Counseling Program (ECP)
The Employee Counseling Program (ECP) is available through a combined partnership with the clinical team of Small Town Counseling®. Our ECP provides employees with confidential counseling services with a licensed/registered mental health professional. Organizations also have the option to include access to consulting on mental health, resilience-building related topics, and ongoing training and development. ECP Counseling services are available to CA residents only.
*not currently accepting new partners for ECP
Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC)
Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) is an innovative model of professional development used to support workers in high-stress positions working with vulnerable and/or trauma exposed positions. This may include but is not limited to, frontline workers, legal teams, early interventionists, teachers, child welfare workers, public health nurses, and Juvenile Justice workers.
RSC utilizes the reflective process to provide your team with ongoing professional development. RSC is ideal for leaders and providers in helping professions.
Alyssa Najera
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Senior Consultant
Alyssa is a consultant, podcaster, and small town therapist. She is also a former Child Welfare Services (CWS) social worker, supervisor, and child sexual abuse forensic interviewer.
*CA BBS LCSW86618