The Policy Analysis Tool focuses primarily on internal policies to address STS within the organization. For CACs it may be important to add additional policies that reflect practices that are being put into place for MDTs. The following questions from the policy audit may be important to also answer in terms of the MDT:
- MDT policies and protocols should clearly recognize STS as a trauma condition and respond accordingly.
- Minimizing graphic details when sharing about cases and, if graphic details must be shared, then providing support to team members is critical.
- Prioritize training on STS in your MDT’s annual training agenda.
- MDT protocols should encourage trauma-informed peer support opportunities to address STS.
- Often, MDTs have events that bring the team together outside of MDT meetings. CAC staff provides lunches, celebrations, cookouts, retreats, etc. to build relationships and a sense of “team.” These events are also opportunities for building peer support systems.
- STS-related education should be included in the MDT’s onboarding policy(ies) for new members.
- Include basic information and resources into your MDT onboarding and orientation processes. Fact sheets on STS can be shared with MDT members such as “Understanding Secondary Traumatic Stress for CAC Workers” or “Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Fact Sheet for Child-Serving Professionals,” both from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (nctsn.org).
- There is also a free set of videos regarding STS and CACs available via the NCTSN: Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Director’s Guide to Quality Mental Healthcare: Section 10: Understanding Secondary Traumatic Stress. (To view these videos, sign up for a free account.)
- There should be ongoing monitoring of the levels of STS and its impact on the MDT in a confidential and non-stigmatizing manner.
- Provide STS training to MDT supervisors and senior leaders, including how to recognize signs and symptoms in staff; explore resources each organization has available to support their staff who are experiencing functional impairment; and know how and when to make referrals to those resources.
- Any work done on creating STS policies for the MDT should bring together people from different disciplines and organizations.
- Just as you might build a team of CAC staff to explore becoming more STS informed, you might consider creating a group of MDT members to explore strategies for the team. These members should also address any barriers related to STS that arise.
- To get feedback. consider including questions related to STS policies and practices in your annual MDT evaluation or surveys.
- Team members should feel a sense of safety in sharing their input and concerns with other team members and supervisors and also if they are being impacted by trauma exposure.