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Reducing Secondary Traumatic Stress in the K-12 Workforce
School staff and teachers tend to experience Secondary Traumatic Stress more than other professions. Districts and schools can reduce staff turnover and increase job satisfaction by implementing policy and professional learning.
In 2021, the Washington State Legislature passed SHB1363: Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress in the K-12 Workforce. WSSDA created a policy and procedure to assist districts with supporting staff’s health and well-being while reducing secondary traumatic stress.
To aid districts’ implementation of this policy and procedure, OSPI and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation partnered to provide free resources and an online assessment.
ACCESS THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO IMPLEMENT WSDDA’S POLICY AND PROCEDURE 5515:
Model Policy & Procedure 5515
SHB1363 (2021) requires districts to adopt a policy and procedure to support workplace mental health and reduce secondary traumatic stress.
Use WSSDA policy and procedure 5515 to ensure compliance with this state legislation.
Assessment & Action Planning
Districts must assess district and school-level implementation and report to their Board annually. To help districts meet this requirement, the Workforce Secondary Traumatic Stress Assessment consists of two parts: a policy compliance checklist and staff well-being implementation practices.
To complete this assessment, the district’s Workforce Mental Health Committee or similar District Leadership Team will need to provide input.
- First, staff are encouraged to read through the assessment.
- Then, the leadership team compiles responses based on current policy and programming.
- Next, enter your district’s responses in the online assessment.
- Finally, add items to improve upon to the team’s Action Plan and leverage relevant training and resources.
Also, districts may ask School Leadership Teams to respond to the Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment’s staff well-being questions to gather feedback, collect data, and plan for continuous improvement with school sites.
More Links
Healthier Generation 6 Step Process
Our continuous improvement process helps leadership teams to shape learning environments to support the whole health needs (physical, social, and emotional) of students and staff.
Training & Resources
Districts must establish a Workforce Mental Health Committee to promote a positive workplace climate and provide resources for staff. Start with these evidence-based resources on stress management, preventing burnout, and evaluating job satisfaction. Then, explore more staff well-being resources.
Filling Your Cup: Comprehensive Self-Care Strategies Curriculum
A four-part on-demand training series packed with tools and resources to help school staff focus on their own well-being.
Starting a Workforce Well-Being Program Toolkit (Kaiser Permanente)
Toolkit helps get leadership on board and organize activities to create an organizational culture that promotes well-being.
Evaluating Staff Well-Being and Job Satisfaction
Guidance to evaluate job satisfaction, well-being, compassion fatigue, burnout, and stress management with staff.
Build a Wellness Program Washington Health Care Authority
Many resources to build a wellness program through SmartHealth from Washington State Health Care Authority.
Secondary Traumatic Stress and Self-Care Packet
Tools and strategies to create individual and schoolwide plans to promote staff self-care and resilience.
Kohl's Healthy at Home for Educators
Catalog of success stories, tips, and training to meaningfully engage families, students, and staff in promoting health and wellness.
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