Navigating Through Trauma, Drama and Llamas in the Workplace

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As the topic of mental health continues to gain traction, navigating mental health trauma faced from frontline staff workplace through recognition and action is essential in all areas of recreation. Dialogue examples on how to navigate trauma from the workplace will be practiced to illustrate how to prevent unnecessary drama and stigmatization. Additional awareness also will be discussed on how to heal and celebrate the successes and triumphs within the workplace and cultivate a healthy and professional workplace (llamas!). This speed session will be a hybrid of providing case-specific studies and discussing how to provide in-person and virtual resources and support, especially in light of the current pandemic while continuing to provide safe programming for staff and patrons.


Following this session, learners will be able to:

  1. Identify and take action with confidence regarding trauma and mental health concerns in the workplace.

Tiffanie Lai

Senior Recreation Coordinator-Aquatics & Gardens

City of Mountain View

Serving in a variety of first response, field-training roles, including as an Emergency Basic Technician and lifeguard for 9 years, I currently serve as the Senior Coordinator of Aquatics and Community Gardens at the City of Mountain View, located in the heart of the Silicon Valley in California. I have had the opportunity to serve with the City of Oakland in a variety of platforms, during my role as the Recreation Program Director of Aquatics and on the advisory task force for their Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT/CORE). I enjoy interweaving educational and job task instruction, with advocating the importance of mental health and accessibility in my role in recreation. I look forward to finishing my masters of science in psychology of mental health in 2020, which was originally spurred by my interest in working with young adults in education and recreation. In my spare time, I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, tinkering with all things coffee, and attempting to train for a half-ironman triathlon. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tk...

Jaimie Clout

Aquatics Supervisor

City of Bristol, CT

20 years of experience, from a lifeguard and program manager to more than a decade in a Director role. In 2007, her facility received the “Nation's Best Indoor Family Aquatics Center”. Her staff was also credited for saving the life of a patron. With 19 years as an EMT and 2 decades in Parks & Recreation, her focus lies in leading with passion, and motivating the next generation.

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