Direct Care Resilience ECHO®:
Disability, Aging, and Assisted Living Organizations
Target Audience:
Disability/Aging Organization Leadership, Case Managers, and Supervisors.
DSPs, CNAs, Caregivers, Nurses
Every Wednesday:
May 22, 2024 – July 24, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST
View Recorded Sessions
ECHO Resources
View Participant Guide
Case Presentation
For more information, contact Krista Opstedal
krista.opstedal@minotstateu.edu
The Direct Care Resilience ECHO® is a training series to support the mental health and well-being of Direct Care Professionals. This project aims to expand disability and aging organizations’ capacity to support employee mental health by 1) expanding disability agency leadership’s capacity to support employee mental health, 2) building DSP resilience skills by increasing awareness of mental health self-care, and 3) providing resources to help sustain and strengthen the current workforce to limit staff turnover.
This series includes a framework where sessions aim to describe the principles of resilience, build interpersonal skills to address employee mental health, and provide strategies for creating an organizational culture that values employee wellbeing.Â
In this series, participants will:
- Learn best practices from industry leaders
- Collaborate and share resources/strategies to support organizational mental health culture
- Join sessions online via Zoom
- Earn social work CEUS and certificates of attendance
- No cost to participants
What is ECHO®: Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) is an interprofessional practice network where education and/or healthcare professionals learn together. Short didactic lectures and case presentations are conducted during recurring video conferences. Participants learn best practices to support the individuals they serve by implementing real-time solutions, improving systems, and removing barriers to care
This series is a collaboration between the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State and the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota.
Direct Care Resilience ECHO®
Target Audience: Disability and Aging Organizational Leadership, Case Managers, Supervisors, DSPs, CNAs, Caregivers, Nurses
Every Wednesday: May 22, 2024 – July 24, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST
| Session Title | Date | Archived Recordings |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1: Creating a Culture that Supports Mental Health The direct care industry is highly susceptible to employees experiencing compassion fatigue, burnout, vicarious traumatization, and secondary traumatic stress due to the persistent and indefinite stressors of the job. These stressors can impact the quality of support for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. A growing body of research shows that organizations who create a workplace culture that supports mental health can increase employee resilience in mitigating work-related stressors. As a result of attending, participants will be able to: - Differentiate between burnout and compassion fatigue. - Discuss evidence-based strategies for utilizing the U.S. Surgeon General’s Framework for Mental Health and Well-being in the Workplace to establish and maintain a positive workplace culture. Speaker: Krista Opstedal, MPA Krista Opstedal is a Research Associate at the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities. She started her career as a Direct Support Professional, which has helped her understand the challenges and aspirations of those she serves. She has served in various roles such as Coordinator of Assistive Technology and Project ECHO® Director, which have positioned her to advocate for equity and inclusion for people with disabilities. Krista holds a master's degree in public administration and has 15 years of experience in the disability field. She is passionate about mental health and well-being, which stems from personal experience with the devastating effects of losing a loved one to suicide. This experience drives her commitment to helping workplaces reimagine the organizational culture as an engine for employee well-being. | May 22, 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST | Watch Now |
| Session 2: Creating Cultures of Inclusion, Belonging, and Trusted Relationships In this session, we will explore strategies for building a culture of inclusion that fosters supportive relationships and collaborative work. We will discuss how such a culture can create the conditions for employee well-being and increased productivity. By examining key principles and practices, participants will gain insights into how to cultivate an inclusive environment that values diversity and promotes a sense of belonging. As a result of attending, participants will be able to: - Explore strategies for fostering supportive relationships among team members. - Learn how collaborative work can enhance employee well-being and productivity. - Identify key principles and practices for creating an inclusive environment. Speaker: Beth Livingston, Ph.D. & Michele Williams, Ph.D. | May 29, 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST | Watch Now |
| Session 3: The Impact of Social Determinates of Health on Mental Health Social determinants of health are the conditions in the environment where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. This session will explore this important concept and how it intersects with mental health in the workplace. As a result of this session, participants will: - Define the SDOH - Identify the relationship between SDOH and mental health - Recognize Public Health strategies for improving mental health Speaker: Krista Opstedal, MPA Krista Opstedal is a Research Associate at the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities. She started her career as a Direct Support Professional, which has helped her understand the challenges and aspirations of those she serves. She has served in various roles such as Coordinator of Assistive Technology and Project ECHO® Director, which have positioned her to advocate for equity and inclusion for people with disabilities. Krista holds a master's degree in public administration and has 15 years of experience in the disability field. She is passionate about mental health and well-being, which stems from personal experience with the devastating effects of losing a loved one to suicide. This experience drives her commitment to helping workplaces reimagine the organizational culture as an engine for employee well-being. | June 5, 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST | Watch Now |
| Session 4: First Support to Employees Showing Signs of Stress, Burnout, or Mental Health Distress Supervisors are often the first support for employees experiencing stress, burnout, or mental health distress. This session will discuss how to have difficult conversations around burnout, compassion fatigue, and mental health. As a result of attending, participants will be able to: - Recognize signs of stress and burnout in employees. - Discuss proactive strategies to mitigate and prevent burnout. - Explore strategies to build employee engagement. Speaker: TBD | June 12, 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST | Watch Now |
| Session 5: Building Inclusive Workplaces: LGBTQ2+ Community Research shows that diverse organizations have greater innovation, higher revenue, and employee satisfaction rates than less diverse organizations. However, hiring a diverse workforce for the sake of diversity will not drive these outcomes without a culture of inclusion that welcomes people to bring their authentic selves to the workplace. This session will focus on effective strategies to ensure that employees from the LGBTQ2+ community are valued and empowered to provide support to the people we serve. As a result of attending, participants will be able to: - Discuss the positive impacts when employees feel comfortable bringing their full selves to work - Review current terminology - Explore effective practices to build a culture of inclusion in the workplace Speaker: Jessica Reiswig Jessica Reiswig, is a research associate at the North Dakota Centers for Persons with Disabilities, who has committed herself to promoting inclusive work environments. Recognizing the impact of workplace diversity, Jessica advocates for acknowledging and celebrating diverse identities and perspectives. Her aim is to establish an environment where every individual feels accepted and empowered to authentically express themselves. Jessica is prepared to share insights into embracing LGBTQ+ diversity. Her strategies offer a pathway to fostering workplaces that honor and respect the voices of each individual. | June 19, 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST | Watch Now |
| Session 6: Creating an Inclusive and Welcoming Workplace: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Employees who feel respected and connected to their workplace create a stronger sense of community, drive innovation, and help organizations thrive. As a result of attending, participants will be able to: - Define inclusion and its importance in the workplace. - Discuss how a shared language can boost inclusion and communication with an emphasis on BRAVE spaces. - Define cultural humility and how the practice can benefit workplace wellness and foster welcoming environments. Speaker: Jacquilyn Davis, DEI & Engagement Coordinator, Mental Health Connecticut Established in 1908, Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is a statewide, nonprofit organization whose mission is to partner with individuals, families, and communities to create environments that promote long-term health and wellness. Jacquilyn’s journey into JEDI work has been a lifelong one - full of a passion for history, cultural humility, and commitment to antiracism. Jacquilyn is the founder and chair of MHC’s Equity, Social Justice & Antiracism Advisory Committee. Jacquilyn also serves as a Board member of the Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CTGLC) and received a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace certificate from the University of Florida, Muma College of Business. | June 26 , 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST | Watch Now |
| Session 7: Effects of Trauma Trauma can show up in human service work, which can lead to employees showing symptoms of compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious traumatization. This session will explore the effects of trauma on the brain and strategies to build personal resilience to cope with trauma. As a result of attending, participants will be able to: - Define trauma and recognize how it shows up in human service work. - Discuss strategies for preventing and recovering from a vicarious trauma-related crisis. - Explore strategies to build personal resilience. Speaker: Kayla Boepple, PhD | July 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST | Watch Now |
| Session 8: Eight Dimensions of Whole Person Wellness Wellness is a broad concept. This session will cover the eight dimensions that lead to overall wellness and how each dimension is interconnected and builds on one another. As a result of attending, participants will be able to: - Identify strategies and resources to build up each dimension of wellness. - Explore how to put these practices into action. Speaker: Sydney Yale Sydney Yale graduated from Minot State University with a degree in Corporate Fitness & Wellness Management. From there she worked as a Chiropractic Assistant and Personal Trainer for 5 years. She is currently the Fitness & Wellness Coordinator for Minot State University Wellness Center. At an early age, being involved in sports and various activities, she cultivated a passion for health and wellness. That passion carried throughout her college years which led her down her current career path. She remains enthusiastic about over health and wellness today. | July 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST | |
| Session 10: Understanding Ableism to Provide Better Support Ableism is deeply engrained throughout society and impacts human service work in many ways. Attendees will learn to define ableism and comprehend its impact on service delivery. The session will help recognize and challenge ableist attitudes and behaviors in both personal and professional contexts. Through guided self-reflection exercises, participants will become more aware of how ableism affects everyday interactions, empowering them to create more inclusive and supportive environments for individuals with disabilities. As a result of attending, participants will be able to - Define ableism and how it impacts the human service field - Recognize ableist attitudes and behaviors in personal and professional settings. Speaker: Krista Opstedal, MPA Krista Opstedal is a Research Associate at the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities. She started her career as a Direct Support Professional, which has helped her understand the challenges and aspirations of those she serves. She has served in various roles such as Coordinator of Assistive Technology and Project ECHO® Director, which have positioned her to advocate for equity and inclusion for people with disabilities. Krista holds a master's degree in public administration and has 15 years of experience in the disability field. She is passionate about mental health and well-being, which stems from personal experience with the devastating effects of losing a loved one to suicide. This experience drives her commitment to helping workplaces reimagine the organizational culture as an engine for employee well-being. | July 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST | |
| Session 9: Coping with Stress: Mindfulness Mindfulness is being consciously present in what you’re doing, while you’re doing it. This session will provide education and personal strategies to incorporate mindfulness practices into daily life and how it can help combat stress. As a result of attending, participants will be able to - Identify mindfulness best practices for mitigating stress. - Explore strategies for staying grounded. Speaker: TBD | July 2024 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CST |