Ky.gov
Effective: 6/18/2026

G1.13 Debriefing of Protection and Permanency Staff-Reaction and Emotional Responses to Trauma

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​Given the nature of child protective services (CPS) and adult protective services (APS), it is imperative that safeguards are in place to support staff well-being in the context of exposure to trauma or critical incidents.


Practice Guidance

​Division of Protection and Permanency (DPP) staff who provide services and are involved in any way with a traumatic event (e.g., sexual abuse, physical abuse, fatality/near fatality) may experience reactions and emotional responses to trauma. Not everyone experiences the same set of reactions and emotional responses to trauma. It is important to know that these reactions and emotional responses are normal and that recovery from a traumatic event is a gradual process.

Secondary traumatic stress may stem from one event or from the intense nature of the work and prolonged exposure to the trauma of children and families to whom staff provide services. 

Procedure

The SRA: 
  1. Ensures each service region develops, implements, and follows a process that allows DPP staff the option to debrief when they are involved with a traumatic event during the course of fulfilling their job requirements and providing services.
The FSOS or designee: 
  1. Assesses and addresses staff's emotional reactions to work related evernts during supervision, normalizing the risk of secondary-traumatic stress, and promoting self care;
  2. Initiates the service region’s process of debriefing DPP staff follwing a traumatic event or at the request of staff, which may include contacting the Crisis Response Board at 888-522-7228 or The Kentucky Employee Assistance Program (KEAP) at 888-445-5327 to assist with the debriefing process.​
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Documents

Revisions