UVA_HRCelebrate Dominique's Contributions to UVA
Celebrating Community and Compassion: The Inspiring Work of Dominique McLaughlin
In the realm of higher education, where the focus often lies on academic achievements and intellectual growth, it's essential to recognize the individuals who tirelessly work behind the scenes to foster community wellness and resilience. One such remarkable individual is Dominique McLaughlin, MA, LPC, CEAP, a Faculty & Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) Consultant at the University of Virginia (UVA). Over the past 2.5 years, Dominique has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to various community groups, encouraging others to contribute their awareness, time, and resources to support local health and wellness initiatives.
Dominique holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, specializing in Deafness, from Gallaudet University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Christopher Newport University. With a strong commitment to community service, she has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with compassion and serving others in many capacities. Dominique has always been passionate about community mental health. She made a lasting impact while serving on the Region Ten Community Services Board, where she played a key role in providing emergency services and served as the Program Manager for the Access and Adult Clinical Services team.
Her personal journey as a caregiver for both her grandmother and mother has further fueled her dedication to giving back to others. This experience has inspired her to focus on supporting caregivers and promoting self-care within her community. Dominique is known for her strengths-based, solution-focused approach and is deeply passionate about helping others navigate the challenges of self-care and eldercare. She remains committed to ensuring that those in need receive the compassionate care and support necessary to thrive.
Keeping FEAP Up to Date
Dominique's dedication is evident in her regular updates on local and area events, announcements, and outreach information. By sharing these updates, she ensures that her colleagues and UVA FEAP clients are not only informed but also inspired to participate in these community efforts. This proactive approach creates a ripple effect of support and energy, benefiting initiatives such as the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Resource Council (SPARC) walk/run for suicide awareness. UVA and FEAP were able to exceed their goal of raising over $750.00 for SPARC during the 2024 walk/run event.
Dominique has served on the Board of Directors the past three years for the All Blessings Flow (ABF) non-profit, which provides healthcare items for underserved families in the greater Charlottesville area. Combining her love for pickleball with her volunteer work at ABF, Dominique and the board are planning a charity pickleball tournament at Greencroft Club in August 2025, to spread the word about ABF's important work and raise money for the non-profit.
Caregiver Support
One of Dominique's most impactful contributions is her facilitation of a caregiver support group through FEAP. This group addresses a critical need in the community, offering support to caregivers who often face significant stress and challenges. By providing a space for caregivers to share their experiences and receive support, Dominique helps improve the quality of care they provide to their loved ones, ultimately enhancing community wellness and resilience. For more information on how to join this support group, visit FEAP's caregiver support page.
In addition, Dominique will be co-leading the following 6-week series starting Thursday, January 16, 2025: Caregiver Connection: 6-Part Educational Series for Supporting Loved Ones with Alzheimer's and Age-Related Conditions. The course aims to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with being a caregiver, especially caring for someone living with dementia. Caregivers can register for individual courses to meet their needs or complete the entire series. Dominique will also be presenting a webinar January 28, 2025 with Hoos Well, Supporting Seniors with Compassion, about how to communicate effectively with family members when working together to provide physical, emotional, and social support to seniors.
The Virginia Women's Group has invited Dominique to join them on January 17 for their monthly Coffee Connections group meeting. She will be providing a brief educational and resource segment, with the main topic being caregivers and the questions being, "Have you thought about what aging gracefully means to you? What systems, support networks, or resources can you put in place today to ensure your long-term care needs align with your values?" Dominique will initiate and prompt discussion about the importance of the "Caregiver" being intentional about discussing and planning for their own long-term needs.
Dominique shared her expertise on caregiving at UVA Health's University Medical Center Hour: Medicine & Society: Stories of Dementia, Caregiving, and the Human Brain.
Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group (BFSERG) Partnership
FEAP’s collaboration with the Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group (BFSERG) has been instrumental in creating awareness around mental health as a whole and mental health for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC). FEAP has partnered with BFSERG to offer resources, initiatives, and knowledge support to spread awareness, promote the usage of mental health resources, and better the overall well-being of employees. Halima Walker, Vice President of BFSERG, highlighted the impact of this partnership, stating, "You must feel a sense of belonging in order to feel safe. FEAP has created a psychologically safe space for employees to receive support…The diversity of their staff and expertise is a win for UVA team members. They have been proactive about resourcing team members and have created robust training programs to empower employees."
Since May, FEAP and BFSERG have hosted events such as the Mental Health Awareness Month walks and the "Take Space: BIPOC Mental Health Month" panel. These initiatives have not only raised awareness about mental health but also provided a platform for faculty and staff to share their experiences, access the support they need, and learn more about the challenges of others.
Racial Sensitivity
Dominique's passion for community support extends beyond her professional role. She has actively participated in pickleball, where she engaged in meaningful conversations about racial sensitivity and awareness. Through her experiences and FEAP training, Dominique has shared valuable insights on the importance of these conversations for the wellness of the community. Her ability to address difficult topics with compassion and understanding highlights her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Crisis Intervention Training
In addition to her work with community groups and her involvement in racial sensitivity training, Dominique also volunteers her time for Thomas Jefferson Area Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for local law enforcement and first responders. This training focuses on mental health awareness, equipping police officers with the skills needed to handle mental health crises effectively. Dominique's dedication to this cause is so strong that she uses her personal time off (PTO) to participate in the training, further demonstrating her commitment to community well-being.
Dominique's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Her work above represents a small fraction of her daily contributions and embodies the values she practices every day.
Dominique McLaughlin is a shining example of how one person's passion and dedication can create a profound impact on the community. Her work serves as an inspiration to other employees, demonstrating the importance of community involvement, compassion, and resilience. By following Dominique's lead, we can all contribute to a healthier, more supportive, and more resilient community.