Vicarious trauma training for all title IV-E students implemented within the foundation year of the MSW program

This Graduate Project focuses on the development and implementation of training for California State University, Stanislaus Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program stipend students about recognizing and processing vicarious trauma they may experience when interning within Child Protective Services (CPS). The objectives of this project were accomplished through collaboration and partnership with the Title IV-E Child Welfare Project Coordinator and Faculty at California State University, Stanislaus MSW Program, and the curriculum was developed via the use of the literature, best practice information, and consultation with key professionals. This curriculum was completed in mid-Spring 2019 semester, allowing time for delivery of the training in April 2019. A Title IV-E faculty member delivered the training and three Title IV-E stipend students attended the training and provided feedback. The development and implementation of this training provided students with a practical understanding of how exposure to secondary trauma can lead to vicarious trauma, and, how, if left untreated, this could lead to eventual compassion fatigue, more commonly referred as “burnout.” The curriculum developed for this training was provided to the MSW Program and Title IV-E Child Welfare Project faculty for ongoing use. It is anticipated that a yearly training seminar will be held for Title IV-E stipend students prior to them entering their advanced year Child Protective Services field practicum.