Secondary Traumatic Stress

Authors: Tonya Cook, MSW, PhD Candidate, Anna Carpenter, MSW/MPH Candidate, & Patricia Shannon, PhD
Date Published: July 2012

This module introduces secondary traumatic stress (STS) and its impact on the child welfare system and workforce. Specifically, this module seeks to explain:

  • the prevalence of STS among child welfare workers,
  • the impact of STS on child welfare services provided to families and children,
  • Individual and organizational risk factors that lead to STS, and
  • strategies for reducing STS in the child welfare system and its workforce.

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