03.04.03e - Emotional Well-Being Break Policy and Procedure

Policy Number and Last Update (03.04.03e/03/2025)

POLICY

This policy aims to demonstrate our organization's commitment to caring for its staff by actively promoting their well-being, while simultaneously ensuring the well-being to the students we serve.

The classroom team will work in unison to prioritize children's safety by taking preventive measures and actively removing themselves from potentially harmful or disruptive situations that could compromise the child's well-being, including disengaging from challenging behaviors when necessary.

If at any point, the staff feel that their emotions, or those of a team member, are escalating to a point where they are in danger of acting or reacting in an inappropriate manner toward any child, the staff will prioritize their own safety and well-being and remove themselves, or ask a team member to remove themselves, from the situation as quickly as possible.

MSHS de-stress definition: A short period of rest, or relief from something difficult or unpleasant; an opportunity to pause, relax, and reenergize.

Note: This procedure is not to be confused with other scheduled break times and should be used sparingly and not misused.

PROCEDURE FOR ONESELF

If you find yourself losing control of YOUR emotions:

  1. When there are three staff members in a classroom, inform your teaching team that you need to "de-stress,," then leave the classroom to destress and gain self-control. Immediately inform the Education Coordinator and/or Director if you feel you need to be replaced for a longer period and/or the day.
  2. When there are two staff members in the classroom, inform your coworker that you need a "de-stress."
    1. Contact the office to have them immediately send a staff person to take your place.
    2. If you need to immediately step away, before someone comes to relive you, open the door, and see if another staff member is around to temporarily cover you.
    3. If necessary, stand away from the others until the replacement arrives.
  3. You can seek advice from your immediate supervisor, or director, if you feel that you may need additional support in handling personal stress and/or difficult situations. You are encouraged to request an appointment with the Mental Health Consultant, if you feel that it is necessary.
  4. Consider requesting staff development on specific topics that will alleviate stress like:
    1. Behavior management strategies
    2. Dealing with difficult behaviors
    3. Deescalating difficult situations
    4. Children Activities for Self-regulation
    5. Adult Activities for Self-regulation
    6. Managing Stress
    7. Mindfulness in Head Start Settings
    8. Training recommended by the mental health consultant according to your needs

PROCEDURE FOR ANOTHER TEAM MEMBER

If you observe a coworker in jeopardy of losing control of THEIR emotions:

  1. When there are three staff members in a classroom, inform your coworker, discreetly, that they may need, or should take, a "de-stress break."
    1. Allow them to leave the classroom to destress and gain self-control.
    2. Immediately inform the Education Coordinator and/or Director if you feel that your coworker may need a longer period to destress and/or, depending on the situation, feel that they may need the rest of the day off.
  2. When there are two staff members in the classroom, inform your coworker, discreetly, that they may need, or should take, a "de-stress break."
    1. Contact the office to have them immediately send a staff person to take their place.
    2. If necessary, ask them to stand away from the others until the replacement arrives.

Note: It is highly recommended that coworkers have open communication and discuss potential triggers that might stress them out faster. Coworkers can develop a pre-plan for "de-stress breaks" so that when the need arises, it can be immediately implemented.