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Educational assistants, youth service workers, student attendants, and workplace assistants will be at the front line come September when students return to school. In these continued days of uncertainty, there will be new challenges that will add to the stress levels of these direct support professionals which can bring on heightened levels of anxiety.

There are strategies that helping professionals can use to help neutralize our compounded stress levels. Everyone will be entering a new normal. There may be feelings of loss – be it the old and familiar routines, feelings of workplace confidence, or the previous school environment. Work and life are still going on even during these times of crisis, urgency and uncertainty. This session is specially tailored to identify strategies for dealing with transitions and a new work future.

Special consideration will be given to the unique challenges faced by these helping professionals who will be working closely with Prince Edward Island’s most vulnerable student population. This professional development opportunity will focus on the following topics:

· Ways of reducing anxiety and fears working in the changing world;

· Managing change and transitions in an uncertain future;

· Enhancing resiliency in difficult times;

· Maintaining ethical practice and professionalism;

· Staying emotionally regulated to effectively support others; and

· Tips for increasing confidence and competencies while adjusting to new workplace norms.