CSAW Program and Wellness FAQ’s
CSAW Program FAQ’s
What do I need to do in order to become accredited?
In order for a practice to be successful as a CSAW practice, there must be buy-in from the leadership team. For that reason, we require the leadership team to complete the 3-month veterinary wellness program (phase 1). Once the first phase is completed, we will start Phase 2, which includes employee education, assessments and building out the wellness program.
Im ready to become accredited, what now?
Once you inform us that you are interested in moving forward, we will let you know when the next 3-month cohort begins. An invoice will be sent to the primary contact. An introductory email will be sent to the primary contact with the 3-month timeline and additional information that can be sent to the team to explain what CSAW is, and what resources will be available to them.
Must I have 100% participation from my staff to maintain accreditation?
To get the most out of the accreditation, the goal should be to have as much participation as possible. To maintain accreditation we require a participation of at least 70% of the team. This participation requirement pertains to the webinars and assessments. We track this by the registration and views.
What is a CCFP?
A Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP) is an individual that has completed certification through the International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP).
How is CSAW different from other industry accreditation’s?
CSAW prides itself as the first industry-specific accreditation that focuses on an organization’s number 1 asset, the staff. Other industry accreditation’s focus on standards of care, the patients and even clients and customer service. While these are extremely valuable focuses, CSAW knows the value of starting with a fulfilling team.
How long has CSAW been established?
VetSupport has nearly 100 years of experience within veterinary medicine. With nearly all of our team members obtaining their CCFP (along with being a CVPM) we saw a need to help practices with their employee wellness. In 2018 we rolled out the CSAW program, piloting it with over 20 practices. In 2020 we re-structured the accreditation to bring more value to the industry, which also allowed us to make it more cost-effective.
Will I be able to access previous webinars for future employees?
Yes! All webinars and content will be available to members through a practice login, which will be provided once membership is active. From there, monthly materials will be provided to the practice and hosted on the membership page.
General FAQ’s regarding Wellness
Where can I find EAPs?
There are a lot of places that you can find an EAP, including your health insurance company. Some practices may already have an EAP, but not know it. It is recommended that you contact your insurance broker, or your health insurance company and see if you already have one. If you do not, you can ask them if they provide them. Alera, a veterinary-specific insurance broker also provides them if you cannot find a provider through your current resources.
I’m really concerned about an employee, and it’s urgent, what should I do?
If you have an EAP, have them call them. Provide them a list of resources, and ask if there is anything you can do to help them find help. It’s important to not feel like you need to be the solution for them, unless you are a trained therapist. There are many providers in arears that can be found by simply calling a local hospital. The hospitals generally only take actively suicidal individuals, but they can provide a list of local support. Many universities also have inpatient/outpatient programs. It’s abnormal to be able to find a remote therapist (over the phone/camera). If there is a concern that the person is actively suicidal it is recommended that you contact their emergency contact, or police. Every situation is different.
What should I contact a VetSupport CCFP about, versus reaching out to a clinical professional (therapist, psychologist, etc.)?
Being a CCFP does not make us licensed therapists. While our primary wellness coach has a psychology background, he is not a licensed therapist. Our role is to guide practices and professionals to solutions, but are not qualified to be the therapeutic solution.
What resources can I give my staff for mental health?
We provide a lot of resources in our news letter outside of the standard suicide hotline, and crisis hotline. If you have an EAP, or health insurance, mental health is often covered.
An employee feels they can’t get any help because they don’t have insurance, and cannot afford independent support. What can they do?
There are many low-to-no cost programs available through hospitals or universities. Either Google “low cost mental health” or contact your local hospital and ask for resources. Another option is an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).
How do I create a wellness program for my practice?
One of the benefits of becoming a CSAW practice is that we provide a template, and guidance for creating an employee wellness program.