Feb-Mar 2021

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS socialworkers.org

CLIMATE CHANGE SOCIAL WORK ADDRESSES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Contents

22 Like Never Before: Social Workers are Essential

BY LEIGH GLENN

Climate Change As the global health pandemic

BY ALISON LAURIO highlighted social and racial 14 inequities, among other Environmental impacts on communities and ecosystems involve things we issues, it also made clear the depend on, like water, energy and transportation. Climate change also affects importance of social workers. humans' physical and mental health, making it a social work priority.

Departments

2 From the President 8 Viewpoints 30 Association News 46 Backstory Social work must take Susan Radcliffe and Articles about NASW Cynthia V. Catchings bold, deliberate actions Daniel Pollack offer advocacy, programs, tools travels the globe to that bend the arc of justice guidelines for social and resources. learn about other toward liberation for all, workers visiting and cultures, including writes NASW President working inside 35 Social Work in Action their social work Mit Joyner. corrections facilities. 36 The Professional practices and programs. 38 Boardroom 4 Editor’s Note 10 .edu 48 Onward. Upward. With challenges still ahead Three schools of social 39 Foundation The COVID-19 of us, hope is the power we work discuss how they are 41 Chapters pandemic has affirmed need to see us through. placing more emphasis on 43 Save the Date social workers’ essential role in emergency racial justice education and 44 Toolbox 6 Social Work Voices other activities since the response, and highlighted Learn what social workers killing of George Floyd by our skills and flexibility. are talking about on our a police officer last May. NASW applauds social social media platforms and workers through as experts in mainstream advocacy, writes NASW media stories. CEO Angelo McClain.

Feb-Mar 2021 | 1 From the President

The Path Forward: Climbing the Hill Together

BY MILDRED “MIT” C. JOYNER, MSW, LCSW

Amanda Gorman made history as the first national youth poet laureate to speak at a president’s inauguration with her poem “The Hill We Climb.” The vibrant African American woman who graduated from Harvard University offered us hope and a direction for the social work profession.

Her poetry underscores the Capitol. He used a Biden’s vision “to compose the rationale for why tactic that redirected the a country committed to all social work must take insurgents, stopping them cultures, colors, characters bold, deliberate actions from locating their human and conditions of man.” that bend the arc of justice prey. Thankfully, due to his Alisha Haridasani Gupta NASW and all toward liberation for all. astute analysis, all members wrote in the New York social work sister Ms. Gorman reminds of Congress reached Times: “President Biden’s organizations us that this time “will safety. Officer Goodman’s proposed Cabinet is the “ should release represent a moment of actions helped to save our most diverse in U.S. history, an immediate unity for our country.” democracy. comprising more women plan of action The insurrection that As Ms. Gorman captured and people of color than outlining the occurred on Jan. 6, 2021, in her poem and our eyes any Cabinet before it. In ways social left our democracy badly witnessed, on Jan. 6 there many ways, this fulfills workers can bruised. Insurgents seized were attempts to shatter the his campaign promise to help heal our the United States Capitol, nation. “But while democracy select a team that looks like communities. destroyed and defaced can be periodically delayed, America and modernizes federal property, killed a it can never be permanently the predominantly male, U.S. Capitol Police officer, defeated,” she said. white institution. Building stole federal and personal We now come together, a diverse team will lead property, went on a vile embracing truth and to better outcomes and rampage, and took selfies eyeing history to find the more effective solutions to and posted videos. They path forward. Moving address the urgent crises chanted “Kill Mike Pence,” beyond fear toward “just facing our nation.” then-vice president, redemption,” we see Several social workers while also on the hunt we have come through are positioned to drive the for Speaker of the House attempts to intimidate and administration’s inclusive Nancy Pelosi, with a goal delay democracy. It is now vision and agenda. Andrea to hang them both on a our responsibility to create Palm, MSW, Wisconsin’s scaffold they erected on the a new chapter for those top health official is now U.S. Capitol grounds. who follow. the deputy secretary of the Eugene Goodman, a President Joseph R. Biden U.S. Department of Health U.S. Capitol Police officer, clearly understands the and Human Services. Jared diverted the mob as they direction this nation must Bernstein, MSW, is appointed ascended the stairs inside take. Ms. Gorman recited to the Council of Economic

2 | Social Work Advocates Feb-Mar 2021

advocates

EDITORIAL NASW LEADERSHIP [email protected] PRESIDENT Mildred “Mit” C. Joyner, MSW, LCSW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Gail Woods Waller CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Angelo McClain, PhD, LICSW MANAGING EDITOR Laetitia Clayton SENIOR EDITOR ADVERTISING Advisers. Wendy Sherman, Paul R. Pace [email protected] MSW and NASW Social We now ART DIRECTOR ADVERTISING SALES Work Pioneer®, will serve as come together, Martha Rothblum Jim Snyder WRITERS the deputy U.S. secretary of embracing ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Peter Craig Kyle Northam state. Meg Kabat, LCSW-C, “ truth and Leigh Glenn CCM, leads the transition eyeing history Alison Laurio at the U.S. Department of to find the path DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATIONS Veterans Affairs. Michael forward. GRAPHEK Lindsey, PhD, MSW, MPH, has been appointed to the Centers for Disease Control’s Social Work Advocates (ISSN 0027-6022) is published bimonthly (Dec/ Community Preventive release an immediate plan Jan, Feb/Mar, Apr/May, Jun/Jul, Aug/Sep, Oct/Nov) by the National Services Task Force of action outlining the ways Association of Social Workers, 750 First Street NE, Suite 800, Washington, (CPSTF) for a five-year DC 20002-4241. Subscription price is included in annual membership social workers can help dues. Nonmember price: $36 a year or $8 single copy. Periodicals postage term starting in 2022. heal our communities. This paid at Washington, DC and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: “The United States is a includes the development of Please send address changes to NASW Membership Records, 750 First St. nation that has spent the a guide with specific steps NE, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20002-4241. past four years torn apart by for how the profession can racism, political polarization work with our communities and mistrust … . Helping to address the racial, Member Address Changes the country heal will be social, economic, and Membership Records among President Biden’s environmental injustices that 800-742-4089 top priorities,” wrote Tim have torn our nation apart. [email protected] Craig, Mark Berman and History will judge the Nonmember Subscriptions and Address Changes Amy B. Wang in a Jan. 11 actions all social work NASW Press Distribution Center, 800-227-3590 [email protected] Washington Post article. organizations and social The Biden-Harris agenda workers take during this for our nation is aligned profound time. Hope gives with the social work social us the strength to light the National Association of Social Workers All Rights Reserved. justice agenda. The social path we must urgently follow. Social Work Advocates articles may be copied for personal use, but work profession cannot Using the words of the stellar proper notice of copyright and credit to Social Work Advocates remain silent. Ms. Gorman Youth Poet Laureate Amanda must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale or other commercial gives us this warning: Gorman: “For there is always purposes. Social Work Advocates is NASW’s primary means of “We’ve learned that quiet light, if only we’re brave enough communicating with the membership about association activities isn't always peace, and the to see it. If only we’re brave and developments in professional practice and social policy. It carries statements of opinion by a variety of spokespersons and, as space norms and notions of what enough to be it.” permits, letters to the editor. The views expressed do not necessarily is ‘just’ isn’t always justice.” Contact Mit Joyner at represent positions of NASW. NASW and all social work [email protected] ©2021 sister organizations should Printed in the USA Editor’s Note

Hope is Power

BY LAETITIA CLAYTON

It’s easy to get discouraged these days. We hung our hopes on 2021, thinking it had to be better than the madness that was 2020. But the new year arrived roaring like a lion.

Six days in, a riotous only that, but the day was You can read more about mob attacked and briefly filled with messages of love, that in the Association seized our U.S. Capitol, unity, strength, gratitude News section of this issue. leaving behind death and, yes, hope—despite what On his first day in office, and destruction; fear we’ve been through and Biden got to work on and disbelief; and a crack what we still face. executive orders to meet in our democracy. The COVID-19 is still here, some of his administration’s We’re still insurrection was based with reports of newer immediate priorities. It’s a an extremely on unsubstantiated claims strains, but the vaccine weighty list that includes divided nation, that our national election is giving us some hope. actions to “control the “ but the new was rigged and stolen from We’re still an extremely COVID-19 pandemic, administration then-President Donald J. divided nation, but the provide economic relief, seems Trump. Trump and his new administration seems tackle climate change, determined to supporters—including some determined to help us heal. and advance racial equity help us heal. Republicans in Congress— Some say politics will be and civil rights, as well as worked the crowd into a boring now compared with immediate actions to reform frenzy, even urging them to the past four years of chaos our immigration system and march to the Capitol, stop and constant uncertainty. I restore America’s standing the counting of the electoral think it’s a welcome relief. in the world.” votes in Congress, and “take President Biden may be Because social workers back” the country. a traditionalist in a lot of are involved in some way in The events of Jan. 6 ways, but he is already each of these priorities, two overshadowed even the creating a legacy of his own of the topics are covered in COVID-19 pandemic, by assembling the most this issue of Social Work which continues to rage. As diverse Cabinet of any Advocates: climate change of this writing, the number U.S. president—and social and the ongoing COVID-19 of coronavirus cases and workers are among them. pandemic. deaths has been breaking records almost daily. But on Jan. 20, we experienced hope. After weeks of worrying that President Biden may be a traditionalist in inauguration day might turn a lot of ways, but he is already creating a violent, President Joe Biden legacy of his own by assembling the most and Vice President Kamala “ diverse Cabinet of any U.S. president—and Harris were sworn into social workers are among them. office without a hitch. Not

4 | Social Work Advocates Editor’s Note

In the cover story, on is a social justice priority for health crisis in myriad too, however. Overall, there page 14, social workers NASW and should be for ways. Read more about how is hope where there was little discuss the varied effects every social worker. starting on page 22. before—and that is the power that climate-related The second feature article There are many things we need to see us through. events have on people explores the ongoing to celebrate this year, but Write to us at swadvocates@ and communities, which effects of COVID-19—now also more tough times socialworkers.org most of the time involves that we’re a year into the ahead—with racial equity our most vulnerable pandemic. One thing is one of the top challenges we Until next time, populations and people of evident: Social workers face as a country. Positive Laetitia color. Environmental justice have shined during the things are happening there,

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Feb-Mar 2021 | 5 Trending on Social

NASW’s Facebook post about its New York State chapter’s town hall on NASW’s LinkedIn post about President Biden racism received 10,419 likes, 1,466 shares and 657 comments. appointing a social worker to a top post at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services received @NASW 107,421 impressions, 4,040 clicks, and 4,394 likes. Does this make you feel NASW: President-Elect uncomfortable? Do you disagree? Joe Biden has announced Are you feeling defensive? Join #socialworker Andrea the NYS Chapter for their next Palm, MSW, will be deputy Revolutionize Social Work Town Hall, secretary of the U.S. and let’s lean into the discomfort Department of Health and together. Over 650+ social workers Human Services. Palm, joined the December Revolutionize who earned her MSW at Social Work Town Hall on the topic Washington University in St. Louis, was the top of racism and white supremacy in health official in Wisconsin and helped lead clinical practice. the state's response to COVID-19. Learn more about her: https://bit.ly/35TKvSS Allison Friedman As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am thrilled by this appointment. LCSW’s have an extraordinarily useful Kelly Arrington skill set, and law enforcement would really benefit from I'm still in my MSW program (my school is GREAT about covering having skilled mental health professionals on their team. these important social justice topics) so not a social worker yet Therapy, community building, public health and safety, but I just have to say I freaking love the NASW. Standing up for de-escalating imminent crises, knowing how to reframe what's right. Yes! Proud to be a social worker soon. and hopefully able to influence with compassion, wisdom Aaron Burgess and empathy. So proud of my profession and for this very These NYS Town Halls have been incredible! excellent appointment.

Walter Palmer, JD, and Dr. Anthony Estreet, LCSW-C, NASW recently posted 103 tweets, talk about about why we need more Black male social workers, and how we can support people looking to with the following among those that enter the profession. received the most likes and retweets Estreet: Some of the reasons why more males are needed is because there's a lot of ways that people interact and a lot of ways that people connect with people. And one of those things Social Work could be around gender, gender identity, gender expression, Talks Podcast, sexual orientation, all that. Episode 63 I think that the question around Black men is equally important because there are just certain experiences that not everybody Why We Need can relate to or understand from a cultural lens. More Black Male Social Workers Palmer: As a male-dominant society, many men have had an aversion for us going into certain professions. Or they're very slow to go into nursing, secretarial, social work, teaching. I think the society is also race-based. And so for many African Americans, there’s been an attempt to deny them access to a lot of fields. So we’re struggling with two different phenomenas. Listen to the full episode

6 | Social Work Advocates Social Work Voices

In the Public Eye

NASW member Two of three Muslim students Statistics Ron Avi Astor U.S. adults say discussed the indicate there wrote an this election stigma has been a rise opinion piece at has been a surrounding in domestic cnn.com about major source of mental health in violence cases the four things worry, the Islamic during the the nation should be doing according to the “Stress in community at a recent COVID-19 pandemic. to feed hungry students. America” survey the California State University, The National Domestic Astor holds the Marjory American Psychological Fullerton, Muslim Student Violence Hotline reported Crump Chair Professorship Association conducted. Association event. that calls in March 2020 in Social Welfare at the Schools saw bullying and NASW member Iman increased by 6 percent UCLA Luskin School of anxiety rise with the election Saymeh, a clinical social compared with the previous Public Affairs with a joint season as kids took sides, worker and CSUF alum, year. By April 2020, call appointment in the UCLA according to a story posted at spoke to students about the volume rose 15 percent. Graduate School of Education the Tampa Bay Times. generational gap between Alcohol also plays a and Information Studies. NASW member Karen them and their parents, and role in domestic violence He noted in the article Perez, a Hillsborough County how discussing topics like situations. NASW member that Congress, through the School Board member and anxiety and depression in Chris McLaughlin, an LCSW U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, clinical social worker, said Muslim households can be with Northern Light Acadia recently extended waivers she has witnessed conflicts a challenge, according to Hospital in Bangor, Maine, for its Summer Food Service that, in her opinion, arose an article at The Daily says online alcohol sales Program and Seamless because students were Titan, an independent have increased by 243 Summer Option for students, “bringing their parents’ student publication. percent over the last five which allows meals to be viewpoints to school.” In Islam, Muslims are months in some cases. served across the country. She told the Times there encouraged to follow the “These sorts of situations “But it is a grossly have been instances of guidance of God and refrain are really just a powder keg insufficient response to the bullying, and she thinks from seeking acceptance of violence,” McLaughlin needs of students and their kids are soaking up the from external sources, the told News Center Maine. families when you look at anxiety they sense from story said. However, this “We are seeing that the how many students aren't adults around them. can be difficult for some typical reprieve for some being reached because of “Children get their cues young Muslims. of these survivors being food delivery logistics (or an from us and how we feel Saymeh explained how able to go to the workplace, inability of students, parents so we don’t want to scare the cultural differences being able to go to school, or caregivers to go to them,” Perez said in the between the religion and being able to get out of the distribution sites) and lack article. But she suggests it American culture often can house and do errands— of a national distribution can be a life lesson on how result in loneliness. those things are gone.” plan,” Astor said. we can face disappointment, Because of this cultural McLaughlin offered steps He suggested: 1. Create a learn to be gracious in divide, Muslim youth find it people can take to either national task force to feed all victory or defeat, “and it can difficult to open up to their get help or help someone hungry students; 2. Know change the face of how we parents about their mental else remotely. He says using which eligible students get along.” health, the story says. nonverbal methods like a chat are getting food and those room on a video platform or who aren't; 3. Increase visual codes can work. funding for public-private Visit socialworkersspeak.org partnerships to cover to read other media stories meals; and 4. Use school like these. resource officers as part of the local and national food distribution effort.

Feb-Mar 2021 | 7 Viewpoints

Guidelines for Social Workers Visiting and Working Inside Corrections Facilities

BY SUSAN RADCLIFFE, LCSW-C, AND DANIEL POLLACK, MSSW (MSW), JD

Best-selling author James Michener said, “We are never prepared for what we expect.̕̕ That certainly applies to social workers visiting and working inside corrections facilities.

million people in 1,833 state prisons, 110 federal prisons, 1,772 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,134 local jails, 218 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian Country jails as well as in military prisons, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the U.S. territories.” Not many social workers choose to work in correctional settings. A 2004 NASW report notes that only 2 percent of social workers were working in the criminal justice field, but it was difficult to ascertain if those employed As a social worker and someone,” he said. “So, similar to Dorothy arriving were actually working in attorney, I (Daniel) they gave me a gun and in Oz. You are no longer in a corrections facility. recall visiting a juvenile while this guy was eating a nurturing and welcoming The culture of corrections maximum-security his lunch on a park bench, environment. Exchanges is different. Really different. facility and speaking I came up behind him and of pleasantries are not in Correctional facilities with a 13-year-old boy. shot him in the head.” the nomenclature. Sensory historically have used an After some introductory His affect was as stone overload reigns. Everything “incapacitation” model, not pleasantries, I asked him, cold in relating the story is gray: the walls, desks, a rehabilitative one. They “What are you in here to me as it probably was chairs, equipment. have placed little stock for?” I was not prepared for when he murdered the The Prison Policy in understanding trauma his response: “Murder.” man on the park bench. Initiative reports that and real rehabilitation. “I wanted to join a gang Entering a correctional the U.S. criminal justice Inmates are expected to and to get in I had to kill setting for the first time is system “holds almost 2.3 follow the rules. Period.

8 | Social Work Advocates Viewpoints

Social work • COs don’t fully trust working relationships culture of a corrections philosophically holds that you. Your mere presence, with many people. facility to change, it individuals can change, and the things you bring Their communication is going to come from and we try to meet clients in for programming, and listening skills are the superintendent “where they are.” This can make a CO nervous. finely tuned. Jane Sachs, or warden. is not in sync with most They don’t know if director of correctional The NASW Code of correctional systems. The you are going to leave training for the Maryland Ethics states, “The primary result is a conflict between contraband behind, Police and Correctional mission of the social work philosophical constructs. either intentionally or Training Division, profession is to enhance unintentionally. comments: “We work human well-being and Social Work Guidelines • Boundaries are essential. hard to earn respect for help meet the basic human To be an effective social An unspoken concern for this profession, but most needs of all people, with worker in a correctional COs is to have someone people not only have no particular attention to the facility, here are some come into the facility interest, (they) look down needs and empowerment practice guidelines: who will establish a upon us. Correctional of people who are • Safety first. The romantic relationship staff need to be included vulnerable, oppressed, top priority of every with an inmate. in discussions of essential and living in poverty.” correctional officer (CO) • Social workers see frontline workers, public This certainly sounds is safety. This does not family visits as safety professionals, applicable to social workers diminish your efforts as a essential to maintain etc., just as much—if not in correctional settings. social worker. relationships during more—as police officers For whatever reasons, • Remember that you are a periods of incarceration. and firefighters.” relatively few social guest in the facility. Don’t Corrections staff don’t • Whatever critique you workers have ever visited, be disrespectful to staff. disagree, but they may also may have regarding how volunteered, or worked • COs are trained to see them as opportunities a facility is managed, in these facilities. Perhaps communicate quickly to bring in contraband and even constructive it’s time to reconsider. and effectively. They possibly encroach upon criticism may not be well don’t have time to ask everyone’s safety. received. If you want the how your day is going. • COs know trauma. The They don’t often share rate of post-traumatic things about their stress disorder in personal lives. COs corrections officers is Susan Radcliffe, LCSW-C, is a mental always have on their greater than in other law health therapist with the Dorchester “game face.” They never enforcement occupations. County Health Department in Cambridge, know when they’ll have It is even greater than Md. Contact: [email protected]. to act in an emergency. trauma returning combat • Dress appropriately. If veterans experience. you don’t know what that • Don’t underestimate the Daniel Pollack, MSSA (MSW), JD, is, ask. It is unacceptable professionalism of being is an attorney and professor at Yeshiva to come into a facility and a CO. It is demanding University’s School of Social Work in break the rules. This creates and tiring work. They New York. Contact: [email protected]. tension and resentment. must be available to work To be on the safe side, don’t overtime, with little or wear anything tight. No no advance warning. Viewpoints columns are guest editorials about topics related to social work. They are written by contributors to Social Work Advocates jeans, no open-toe shoes, Despite this, they have magazine, and do not necessarily represent the opinions or reflect the and limit the logos on to be able to establish policies of NASW. If you are interested in writing for Viewpoints, please your clothing. and maintain effective email us at [email protected].

Feb-Mar 2021 | 9 .edu

Winthrop University: Triumphing Over Tough Times

BY PETER CRAIG

There’s nothing like good timing. Dr. Anthony J. Hill came on board as chair, graduate program director and associate professor of Winthrop University’s Department of Social Work in 2018 to help create, in partnership with Wiley Education Services, its first online MSW program. “The department faculty developed all the content, and Wiley made it look pretty online,” Hill says. And the program debuted just over a year before COVID-19 began to rage.

Fourteen faculty members specific assignments and community partners.” for the potential stresses that are directly involved and within a course.” He began by forwarding may come with working a new position was added: One side benefit: When short statements of with clients, as well as show online MSW program the pandemic hit, Ward encouragement from faculty the need for self-care,” she coordinator. It was filled says, all social work faculty members addressing the says. “We could target our by instructor Christopher had been through one aftermath of Floyd’s death. membership and also put J. Ward, MSW, who form of online training By now, COVID-19 had it on Facebook so it would has drawn on previous or another. “We were also been taking a real toll on be available to other social experience at Virginia fortunate in that regard.” students and their families, workers as well as students.” Commonwealth University and Hill wanted to address The first webinar, on June developing online courses Seeking Racial Justice that as well. At about the 24, was about grief and loss, and selecting digital Then in May 2020 came same time, the NASW conducted by Winthrop tools. “We have utilized the killing of George Floyd. South Carolina Chapter was Department of Social our faculty expertise Aside from the brutal looking for opportunities Work Instructor Sarah across our curriculum to impact department head to work with Winthrop, Hopkins. Then a few days develop our courses and Hill says it had on him says then-chapter Executive later, Donahue moderated then critically assess our personally as an African- Director Debra Donahue. an online town hall that strengths and opportunities American male, “I felt “Dr. Hill reached out, and generated many future for improvement,” he that as the chair of the we talked about doing a webinar topics. For instance, says. “And we’ll soon Department of Social Work, pandemic-focused webinar one examined COVID-19’s have an ‘embedded I needed to reach out to our series together to help social outsized impact on minority evaluation process’ for students, faculty, alumni workers prepare themselves communities “through the

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We have utilized our faculty expertise across Panelists our curriculum to develop our courses and Dr. Nathaniel Currie

then critically assess our strengths and Practitioner/Scholar opportunities for improvement.” ------“ Assistant Professor, Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work

EXAMINING Clark Atlanta University

Dr. Monique lens of Critical Race Theory,” would satisfy Council on THE COVID-19 Constance- Huggins

says Hill, and another looked Social Work Education Associate Professor, PANDEMIC Department of Social at ethics in telemental health. (CSWE) requirements. Work “I think it’s been an excellent On-campus internship sites THROUGH A CRITICAL Winthrop University partnership,” says Donahue. have included the Office of LENS Dr. Jessica Yang Admissions, the Office of ------Assistant Professor, Fieldwork Close FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 Department of Social Accessibility—which helps Work

to Home students with special needs 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (EDT) Winthrop University As with other social work get around campus—and Via Zoom education programs, the Office of Diversity and Winthrop’s field placements Student Engagement. 1.5 Free CEUs began to dry up in early 2020 because of COVID. Keeping a Hand In Facilitator Organizer Luckily, Winthrop had Field Still, department head Register here: https://winthrop- Director Jennifer McDaniel. Hill’s first few years have edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/t Jcvd-- “Jennifer and her team were involved a lot more than urD4qH9esReGzPa6KwDgyy4B8 just amazing,” says Hill, in crisis management. Among ZEiB finding new opportunities other things, he has right on campus. Any overseen the introduction Dr. Jeanne Cook Dr. Anthony J. Hill Social Work Educator Chair, Graduate university office set up to of courses on grief and Program Director, and Associate Professor help students, potential loss and on environmental Department of Social students, alumni or even justice. And he likes to faculty could be considered spend time in the field as Partnership in action: Winthrop University and the NASW South a potential field site, figured well, as a certified financial Carolina Chapter. McDaniel. After all, “the social worker, believing it heart of social work is important to bring practice serving people,” she says. experience to the classroom. “So I pitched the idea to “I work with clients to our dean and drafted up a change their thoughts proposal for administrators about money, savings that basically said we and spending,” Hill says. need programs across this “And when they change campus to support student their negative thoughts to interns with remote, positive thoughts, their FROM LEFT: Dr. Anthony Hill, whose early stint as a staff member at virtual placements.” behaviors change and NASW national headquarters inspired him to join the profession; This was followed by Zoom their financial situation Field Director Jennifer McDaniel; and Online MSW Program sessions to further explain changes as a result.” Coordinator Chris Ward. and promote the idea, and by making sure such placements

Feb-Mar 2021 | 11 .edu

Clark Atlanta University: Celebrating a School and an Icon

Dr. Jenny L. Jones, dean and professor of the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work at HBCU Clark Atlanta University, talks about her school’s 100th anniversary, recent racial justice initiatives and civil rights icon Whitney Young.

Congratulations on Spellman and Morehouse your school’s 100th students were arrested. anniversary. Please So I did a town hall with describe how you’re our students to allow celebrating it. them a safe space to talk In 2019 we had initial about what all this felt like celebrations at CSWE’s for them as young Black annual conference and men and women, how to at the NASW-Georgia respond, how to protest in conference. But last a way that’s nonviolent but February, COVID brought still gets their point across. things to a standstill. Then And the conversation on Oct. 2, we did what we continued, with town called a ‘Virtual Kickoff’— halls every month, with an hourlong video because COVID has been where faculty and another racial justice issue, distinguished alumni with African-Americans Civil rights leader Whitney M. Young Jr., who served as NASW offered congratulatory particularly affected. president from 1969 to 1971. remarks—and got word out that the celebration What have been some would continue through other accomplishments scholarly productivity by school. Also, we show a the 2020-21 school year, during your five a good 30 to 40 percent video about him—“The culminating with a huge years as dean? and expanded faculty Powerbroker”—in policy gala in October 2021. We’ve raised the visibility involvement in national classes. It’s accompanied of the school nationally professional organizations. by a study guide, with We understand that and got ranked by U.S. assignments so our you also initiated News and World Report And how does students can further some racial justice in the top 100 graduate the school honor understand the influence activities following the schools of social work for and remember he had in the development George Floyd killing. the first time. In 2018 our Whitney Young? of policy, in exposing Yes. After that happened BSW program was ranked Mr. Young was the economic injustice, and and the peaceful protests by socialworkdegree.org first sitting dean at the role he played in the began, many Clark Atlanta as number one in Georgia the school, from 1954 civil rights legislation students were downtown and our MSW program as to 1961. We have being passed and the War and got terribly upset, number two. We’ve also documents and pictures on Poverty work. especially after the increased our faculty’s of him throughout the

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UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA Racial Justice 2.0: Innovative Courses, Diversity Initiatives Coordinator At the University of and its particularly everything we do instead Montana, social work devastating effect on of as a tack-on where education is heavily minority communities, you figure out how to fit focused on racial justice— says Caringi. Every something as important as an emphasis that George year, he adds, “we do a Black Lives Matter in as a Floyd’s killing has only student-faculty read for our single course or seminar.” amplified, says Dr. James incoming MSW program, In targeting more local C. Caringi, professor and this year we chose racial justice issues— Jeannette Rankin Hall—home of the School of Social Work. and chair, School of ‘How to Be an Antiracist’ regarding Montana’s Social Work, College of by Ibram X. Kendi.” Also, Native Americans—the well as a partnership with Health Professions and Caringi recently created a school has a required the state’s tribal colleges Biomedical Sciences. new position—coordinator MSW course on the Indian whereby students there In the past year, the of diversity initiatives—to Child Welfare Act and a can take University of School of Social Work has be part of the school’s course on “Social Justice Montana classes right held town halls with both leadership team. “So in Indian Country.” Plus, on their own campus BSW and MSW students we’re really trying to at the BSW level it has a and earn a university on subjects like COVID-19 infuse racial justice into new diversity course as social work degree.

Feb-Mar 2021 | 13

CLIMATE CHANGE SOCIAL WORK ADDRESSES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

BY ALISON LAURIO

The year 2020 set a record for disaster shelters.

With the climate-related increase of disasters—including wildfires and hurricanes—and the COVID-19 pandemic stopping many people from staying with relatives when disaster strikes, the American Red Cross furnished more than 1.2 million nights of sheltering by Dec. 1. This is four times more than an average year, the Scientific American reported in a Dec. 2 article.

Feb-Mar 2021 | 15 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Palinkas also is a USC faculty fellow at the Arnold states climate change impacts go beyond rising Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy temperatures. They affect communities and ecosystems and co-lead on the American Academy of Social Work in the U.S. and worldwide—involving things we value and Social Welfare’s Grand Challenge to Create Social and depend upon. “Water, energy, transportation, Responses to a Changing Environment. He said it is wildlife, agriculture, ecosystems and human health are important to consider separately the three different experiencing the effects of a changing climate.” categories of climate events, because human impacts differ. Some human impacts are physical and easy to see. But climate change also affects mental health, and because it is an issue of social and environmental justice, the social Responding, even in baby steps, is work profession is stepping up to help. important so people feel engaged In the “Climate and Health Assessment for 2016,” the U.S. Global Change Research Program found “the and feel they’re doing something.” effects of global climate change on mental health and “ — LAWRENCE A. PALINKAS, PHD well-being are integral parts of the overall climate- related human health impacts.” Its findings “range from minimal stress and distress Extreme weather events, like floods or hurricanes, symptoms to clinical disorders, such as anxiety, last for days. Subacute weather events last for months depression, post-traumatic stress and suicidality.” or years, like droughts. And environmental changes Symptoms often interact with other stressors, both are lasting, leaving higher temperatures, rises in social and environmental. They are cumulative, and sea level and “a permanently altered and potentially they are critical to understanding the overall effects uninhabitable physical environment.” climate change has on health. With extreme events, “we have not only the expertise to respond, we’ve learned who is at risk of mental health COMPLEX IMPACT problems and have been able to apply many techniques We cannot be complacent about climate change, said or forms of treatment or interventions,” Palinkas said. Lawrence A. Palinkas, PhD, the Albert G. and Frances Subacute events, like droughts, are not as immediate Lomas Feldman Professor of Social Policy and Health at or visible, but they are longer, possibly creating lasting the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. depression or anxiety. This is the most visible impact and even has a new climate-related term—eco-anxiety. Additional strategies include interventions to address job loss and displacement. Longer-term events can create fear of the future and a NASW JOINS NEW feeling nothing can be done about the situation, which “leaves a sense of loss due to environmental changes that CLIMATE GROUP have increased the rates of suicide and hospitalization for people with increased mental health problems,” Palinkas said. As part of the American Climate Leadership Encouraging people to respond in some way can help Summit 2020, 17 national organizations lessen the feeling of being overwhelmed, he said, and publicly announced the Social Climate promoting conservation and resilience also can help. “Responding, even in baby steps, is important so people Leadership Group, a newly formed eff ort feel engaged and feel they’re doing something.” to address the mental health aspects of Children respond to the anxieties of their parents, he climate change. said, so if a parent is exhibiting resilience in the face of a Takia Richardson, NASW senior practice climate disaster, the child is likely to exhibit it as well. associate, behavioral health, is representing “With respect to the longer-term existential threat, NASW in the new organization. much of that is anxiety driven—being anxious over their own future,” Palinkas said. For more information: ecoamerica.org/leading-u- s-health-organizations-call-for-action-on-mental- A Kaiser Family Foundation study involving youth health-and-climate-change interviews found they feared for their future because of climate change, he said, and some schools are using interventions developed specifically for children.

16 | Social Work Advocates Extreme weather events, like floods or hurricanes, last for days. Subacute weather events last for months or years, like droughts. And environmental changes are lasting, leaving higher temperatures, rises in sea level and “a permanently altered and potentially uninhabitable physical environment.”

Feb-Mar 2021 | 17 Arriving quickly to the site of a climate-caused event or disaster is important in caring for the victims.

JOHN WEAVER, MSW, LCSW, BCD, ACSW

FIRST RESPONSE a lot like supporting a grief process. It’s grieving and Arriving quickly to the site of a climate-caused event or loss and rebuilding a new life around what’s missing. disaster is important in caring for the victims, said John Unfortunately, the added stress can bring about Weaver, MSW, LCSW, BCD, ACSW, a clinical therapist problems they didn’t have before the disaster.” at Olivewood Counseling in Bethlehem, Pa., and Since helpers are at “great risk of secondary traumatic founding partner of Eye of the Storm Inc., a training stress, we do a lot of self-care,” he said. organization currently inactive. In spite of some downsides, Weaver encourages any Weaver is a full-time American Red Cross volunteer social worker who is interested to become involved in and responder and an advanced instructor/trainer who disaster response. developed three classes for its response curriculum. He Tasks vary from referring people to organizations to discovered and joined the disaster services area in the helping folks fill out forms, to triage and assessment, early 1990s. he said. “What we do is the skill set all social workers “Being a social worker, I got into that to help people,” develop, and it’s what some who do trauma and grief Weaver said. “At that time, no one specialized in mental work do in their job.” health, so I got in on the ground floor.” The organization provided him an opportunity to EFFECTS ON NATIVE COMMUNITIES do hands-on helping, and he specializes in grief and The last time Shenondora Billiot went home to visit, bereavement work. waters had swallowed more land since her prior trip there. Climate change has lengthened the seasons for Billiot, MSW, PhD, assistant professor in the School hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes, so these events are of Social Work at Watts College of Public Service at more common and impact more people, Weaver said. Arizona State University in Phoenix, is a member of the “It’s disrupting peoples’ lives more and more,” he said. United Houma Nation in southeastern Louisiana. “That means some who experience (storm-related) Overall climate changes are part of the cause for land flooding and can’t afford to move to a different spot loss, she said. Hotter water in the Gulf of Mexico creates are experiencing it more often. Not a lot of folks have longer hurricane seasons, and marshland dredging for the money for repairs, so whenever it happens, it’s oil fields are additional factors. “There also has been magnified. That’s very demoralizing.” land manipulation to cut the Mississippi River from its The increased need for responders to help with the physical natural back-and-forth flow.” and emotional needs of those directly impacted is draining The dredging and river changes combined “have for those already helping on the front lines, Weaver said. caused massive loss of land in Louisiana, she said. “From Disaster mental health response is needed for two different 1950 to 2000, there’s been an average loss of 35 square groups, he said: the victims of the disaster, and everyone miles a day.” who helps them. That includes staff members, volunteers, The state and her tribe have lost lands equivalent to emergency responders and those who just pitch in. the size of Delaware, and lost land for her tribe amounts “For victims, we try to get them back to some sense to about 60 percent of that, she said. of normalcy,” Weaver said, like helping with basic “It’s been challenging for the tribe, with repeated disasters necessities such as shelter. “We try to help them and land loss,” Billiot said. “Changes to the land have been toward routines. It’s triage. Mental health support is detrimental to the physical health of our people.”

18 | Social Work Advocates The soil contains more salt now without a marshland Also, work to honor sovereignty can help tribes barrier, which she said changed the ecosystem—killing manage their own lands and prevent things like trees and preventing many from subsistence living pipelines, she said. methods like using raised-bed gardens to grow food. “I think around the community level, efforts to “Over time it’s made people more dependent on mobilize communities should be internally led,” but it’s cheap, unhealthy processed food,” Billiot said. And possible others could participate in efforts to mobilize off-shore oil drilling also has an “indirect impact on communities—because action is needed, Billiot said. some health outcomes.” The last time she went home before COVID spread, There are mental and emotional effects too, she she took a photo of wood pilings in the water. Pelicans added. In a study for her dissertation, Billiot found 20 were sitting on them, and the water was so deep you percent of 150 participants met the criteria for PTSD, couldn’t walk out to the area, she said. “The pilings were anxiety or depression. where our camp used to be.” When asked about their perception of mental health differences, some respondents mentioned sadness for TEACHING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE the loss of land and lifestyles, but there was a “hardiness One of the courses Christina Erickson teaches to how it’s emotionally processed,” Billiot said. “They is “Environmental Justice and Social Change,” didn’t express feelings that would be consistent with which she said examines the relationship between anxiety or depression.” environmental justice issues and the principles and The rising waters have hindered the way people make methods of social change. a living, too, including harvesting shrimp for sale—and It also explores the relationship between for themselves—which is no longer possible. environmental damage and damage to human “There is some disbelief that their land can disappear populations, the differential effect of environmental right before their eyes,” Billiot said. “I think this is damage on specific populations, and the ways social interesting: There are some pockets where people are so change agents can mobilize action to correct these tightknit that if one family does not have enough food injustices, said Erickson, a professor and director of the to eat, they’ll say to a neighbor, ‘Hey, I’m coming over BSW program at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. for dinner tonight.’ And (the neighbor) says ‘OK. We’re The course is required for environmental studies eating at 6.’ There are no questions asked. That shows majors, too, she said. It covers micro and macro they care for each other.” methods for social change, and Erickson makes students There are ways social workers can help, she said. “I’m think about their relationship with nature and how that a macro social worker, so obviously there are advocacy affects their moods, what they see, and “the number of and policy efforts that could help protect lands.” minutes they spend with non-human creations. They

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ROOTS

FEB. 11, 1968: MEMPHIS DEC. 2, 1970: THE ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION STRIKE IN MEMPHIS, TENN. PROTECTION AGENCY IS FORMED. City garbage workers took action against unfair treatment and environmental SEPTEMBER 1982: SIT-IN AGAINST concerns, demanding fair pay and better WARREN COUNTY, N.C., PCB LANDFILL working conditions. The strike was the This nonviolent sit-in protest mobilized first time African-Americans mobilized a national, broad-based group, where a broad-based national group to oppose more than 500 protesters were arrested. environmental injustices. Although it did not halt construction of the landfi ll, it is thought to be the “catalyst for the Environmental Justice Movement.”

epa.gov/environmentaljustice

Feb-Mar 2021 | 19 Environmental Justice

“Environmental justice occurs when all people equally experience high levels of environmental protection and no group or community is excluded from the environmental policy decision-making process, nor is affected by a disproportionate impact from environmental hazards. Environmental justice affirms the ecological unity and the interdependence of all species, respect for cultural and biological diversity, and the right to be free from ecological destruction. This includes responsible use of ecological resources, including the land, water, air and food.”

The Council on Social Work Education also look at how society views nature and the macro gathering in a group and brainstorming ways to set up forces involved.” an office space to evoke the world around them; looking They all take a walking tour and review “how the at their energy use; and being aware of how they campus utilizes nature, and I impress on them that they transport staff members. don’t have to go into the woods,” Erickson said. Students “There are strategies people can explore if they think have grown up in different ways—from city life to living about it,” Erickson said. “It’s kind of like thinking we in a cabin in the woods—and some have little awareness have a relationship with nature, so how can we be more of nature’s beauty. aggressive in having nature around us?” They learn the history of the environmental The Council on Social Work Education has curricular movement and how it has changed over time, and ethics information for environmental justice and field is added before moving more into looking at practice experiences, she said. and identifying the micro, mezzo and macro levels and Erickson wrote a textbook, “Environmental Justice As how you can create social changes, she said. Social Work Practice,” published in 2018. “I wrote it to show what we’re really missing,” she said, “and to say to social work ‘this is something you can really do.’” It took me a long time to see things She believes social workers can lead the way for social justice by recognizing their own relationship with nature, are integrated as a whole, things I learning more, beginning to incorporate environmental didn’t realize were social work too. justice into their social work, and integrating at least one “ It took me a long time to realize I’m nature-focused question into all assessments. an environmental social worker.” “Things done for the natural world benefit us too,” Erickson said, adding that social workers are among the — CHRISTINA ERICKSON, professor and right professionals to help address climate change. director of the BSW program at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. “As social workers, we enter into spaces where there are a lot of unknowns,” Erickson said. “We have to figure out how to help a person or a family. We lead an organization into the future. The topics we talk about Erickson is teaching them to see that humans are are hunger, homelessness and abuse. We are such a interacting with the environment, and the choices they brave group.” make can be environmentally friendly. She wants them to look at nature like it’s a relationship they have, and Resources: realize some people are experiencing environmental “2020 Is a Record Year for Disaster Shelters, Red Cross burdens like air pollution and no access to healthy foods. Says” All kinds of students take the class, and Erickson Practice Perspective: Climate Change and Health: A call to Social Workers wants them to see themselves as having the ability to be “Environmental justice challenge awaits,” Kathryn Conley change agents. “Students are taught many ways to work Wehrmann, former NASW president with clients, but they didn’t think about how nature fit “Climate change, natural disasters affect well-being,” into that.” NASW News, February 2017 Student comments have included, “Wow, I didn’t know “Strengthening the Social Response to the Human this is going to be a part of social work.” Impacts of Environmental Change,” an AASWSW Grand Erickson said, “It took me a long time to see things Challenge for Social Work” are integrated as a whole, things I didn’t realize were Climate and Health Assessment From the U.S. Global social work too. It took me a long time to realize I’m an Change Research Program National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration environmental social worker.” The Eye of the Storm: website contains practical When social workers have knowledge about information on dealing with mental and physical health environmental social work, there are many things following disaster events they can do, she said, including setting up a small Social Climate Leadership Group formed environmental justice task force in their organization;

Feb-Mar 2021 | 21 22 | Social Work Advocates Like Never Before

Pandemic Highlights Importance of Social Workers

By Leigh Glenn

Grinding uncertainty. The usual stresses and tensions exacerbated. More division: Mask, yes! Mask? No way! Loss of friends and loved ones. Anxious parents, isolated children. Survivors who feel physically a shade of their former selves. And survivors who feel “never better.” Evictions. Shut-offs. Worsening economic inequality. Civil unrest. And many political leaders not looking out for the masses of their constituents.

Feb-Mar 2021 | 23 The past year could not have ended soon enough Fisher noticed lines of people outside the Virginia for most people around the world. And it will no doubt ABC store—the state-run store that sells alcohol—near cast a long shadow into the future, assuming the issues his office. Even if they were limiting the number of it highlighted and, in many cases, worsened, are not customers they allow inside, Fisher said he had never addressed. This includes social and racial inequities, seen anything like that. among many of social work’s grand challenges. In his work during the pandemic, Fisher has focused The upsides during the months of turbulence more on clients’ immediate risks and urging harm following mid-March 2020 include the strength reduction so they would minimize potential exposure with which social workers stepped up to help others, to SARS-CoV-2 and avoid passing it to their families. including with basic aspects of survival as well as Before, he says, “Going out to eat would not have been with mental health. Given the constraints of physical a problem. Now it is.” It’s also about urging people not distancing, many found creative ways to reach out. only to wear masks, but also to wash their hands after pumping gasoline and to practice social distancing. He Unknowns Are Many still encourages clients to understand that substances It’s hard to suss out from statistics where things have like alcohol can undercut their ability to make good gone because much data is unavailable. The Kaiser decisions, including decisions about their own safety Family Foundation estimated in October 2020 that and that of their families. nearly 38 percent of adults had reported symptoms of Fisher said a lot of social workers have been trying to anxiety and depression since the onset of COVID, an help clients with issues of basic survival, such as getting increase of 11 percent from 2019. them help for financial issues, to include connecting To help counter some of that, social workers were able with family who may be able to provide child care; to shift swiftly to providing services through telehealth. helping them obtain social security/disability, which At the same time, many tapped into case-management was hard even in the “best of times”; and helping skills to help those in need—whether school-aged taxi clients to appointments, which is especially children and families or people susceptible to various important in an area like Roanoke with limited public substances. transportation. Depending on a client’s means, there are In Roanoke, Va., where Maurice Fisher Sr., PhD, BCD, certain folks they’re not seeing for therapy, such as those provides counseling to clients who have substance- who work in the service sector. They may need therapy, use disorders, two partners in the practice shifted to but may have lost their jobs and their immediate telehealth, but he said it was not easy. He’s continued concern is survival. to focus on harm reduction, which he says most social Because of shutdowns/sheltering-in-place, more workers also do—even if they call it something else. families have been thrown together, Fisher said. Even

24 | Social Work Advocates if they may be one another’s favorite people, there will Suicides? be issues. For parents who may have looked forward to It’s been easy to make assumptions about sources of school to give them a break, he’s talked more with them stress during the pandemic—from the risk of illness about self-care. itself to shutdowns that threw millions out of work. “Your kids can’t do better than you’re doing,” he says. But surveys don’t necessarily ask people the reasons “If a parent is drinking, if they’re angry, they shouldn’t why they may have had suicidal thoughts. “There’s a expect their child to go online for virtual classes and big difference between thoughts of suicide and death do well.” He tries to help them understand at which by suicide,” says Jonathan Singer, PhD, president of ages children need to have certain responsibilities. An the American Association of Suicidology. In 2018, he 11-year old, for example, may be able to stay home alone says, 48,344 people died by suicide, but numbers of as long as safeguards are in place. These include having U.S. Americans who thought about suicide are in the a phone to reach mom or dad and eliminating access millions. “In 2018, approximately 17 million Americans to social media, including Snapchat or Facebook, if the had at least one serious thought of killing themselves. child is having issues with others on those platforms. This means that 99.7 percent of people who considered Children may be bored. killing themselves in 2018 did not die by suicide. One “If they have no structure or predictability, they have death by suicide is one too many. But those deaths don't to be a self-motivator to go online at a specific time and tell us why the other 99.7 percent decided to stay.” do their lessons,” Fisher says. “If they don’t have a parent But in June 2020, a few months into the COVID-19 to monitor that, the kid’s on their own.” pandemic, 25 percent of youth 18 to 24 said they had Fisher also has seen colleagues focusing more on thoughts of suicide, according to the Centers for outreach, so that residents know what kinds of services Disease Control, Singer says. That was up from are available. “That’s improved,” he says. “Some agencies 11 percent in the same period in 2019, the big are hiring more case-management people rather than difference being the pandemic. therapists for that very reason.” Victor Armstrong, MSW, directs the Mental Health, In terms of substance treatment, Fisher says there’s Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse more outpatient work and if the substance induces Services division of the North Carolina Department of physical dependency and requires residential treatment, Health and Human Services in Charlotte. He also is on they have shorter stays and quicker turnarounds. It’s the board of the American Association of Suicidology been important to ensure that clients/patients are not and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. A triangulating among him, their case manager and their friend at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline said psychiatrist—so there’s a lot more coordinating that has they thought crisis calls would have gone up because of to take place to verify what clients are reporting. the pandemic, but they have not risen, at least not

Feb-Mar 2021 | 25 commensurate with the three-fold increase in reported anxiety and depression, he says. Armstrong offers a caveat, though: “People don’t just organically find [the hotlines] and call them. It takes some work to keep in front ooff mind of people.”people.” North Carolina operates a helpline, HOPE4NC, that residents can call if they need mental health or substance-use support, and Armstrong said they are doing more media outreach—radio, television, social media—especially in resource-scarce places like eastern North Carolina. They also have people on hand for Where Social Workers Have Shined outreach to provide behavioral health info during events, including COVID-testing events. Generally, Armstrong has seen more social workers Something like COVID-19 may make people more taking it upon themselves to reach out to those in aware of issues that, under ordinary circumstances, their communities with information about self-care, stay hidden or remain below one’s awareness. But how to access services, and even posting research at the same time, for certain communities, how on social media. One social worker he knows to access services can be confusing. “Historically has been providing webinars and invites men, in marginalized communities of color don’t particular, to take part. He focuses on self-care and necessarily access community services as easily vulnerability—aspects of health men traditionally as whites do and are more likely to terminate have tended to overlook. He even has coloring book services prematurely,” Armstrong says. sessions for men, which has helped relieve stress The state HHS is working with faith leaders in through expressing creativity. “He gets really good African-American communities on how to be a better participation and people like it,” says Armstrong. partner because people in those communities tend Because the pandemic has motivated more social to seek out faith leaders and people they trust—that’s workers toward telehealth, some barriers, such as what is familiar to them and where they turn in times transportation, have been reduced. To bridge lack of of need, he says. access to broadband, North Carolina has moved to RegarRegardingding substance use, ArmstArmstrongrgyg says that among expand coverage in less populated areas, including the people who’ve been in treatment for opioid dependency, eastern and western parts of the state. And some within there has not been an uptick in active treatment. managed care have offered their locations to people “But fear and uncertainty around the pandemic has to provide Internet access as well, Armstrong says. amplified use for a lot of people,” he says. Social workers have also been helping those facing Among those who had not sought out treatment eviction because of unemployment to find housing. before the pandemic, there’s been some ground lost They’ve connected people with organizations that because of the challenges and risks of in-person work, provide financial counseling for those who have had including not being able to take part in group support electricity or rent bills suspended, but who will have to activities due to the risk of transmission, and also pay back that money. reduced access from providers. When people have For children, Armstrong has deep concerns: “We don’t sought treatment, they may show up at emergency really know some of the extent of the trauma kids are departments farther along in their dependency. This facing from social distancing and not being in a school has prompted Armstrong’s department to work toward setting,” he says. If children were in homes where there getting naloxone out to different organizations and was abuse, and now they’re in those homes 24/7, we also to partner better with state and local groups. don’t know the extent of the trauma.

26 | Social Work AdvocaAdvocatestes Social workers have also been helping those facing eviction because of unemployment to findhousing.They’ve connectedpeoplewith organizations that providefinancial counseling for those who havehadelectricityor rentbillssuspended, but who will have to pay back that money.

Feb-Mar 2021 | 27 “We’re in for the long haul with this. There is no end date in sight and we’re all kind of tired and fatigued at this point. You’ve got to plan for your own self-care, because this is going to be a journey.” School Social Workers’ Role school social workers have linked them with providers Dr. Natasha Scott, EdD, MSW, in Fayetteville, N.C., for counseling and support. can’t recall anything like COVID and its effects in terms Scott offers suggestions to school social workers, of schools. She credits children with understanding though the suggestions could easily apply to social more than adults probably realize they do, including the workers in non-school realms. First, she says, they need for masks in public places. should have a plan for self-care to include small goals Where she has seen issues is among highly sociable and finding an accountability buddy. kids who lack organization skills but normally perform “We’re in for the long haul with this,” she says. “There well in in-person classes—thanks to nudging from is no end date in sight and we’re all kind of tired and teachers who remind them to bring all their work fatigued at this point. You’ve got to plan for your own to class. This group now has to work in an online self-care, because this is going to be a journey.” environment, and doesn’t get that kind of relationship Second, social workers need to build the community in through a screen. which they’re serving. This means reaching out to other “In the classroom, the teacher is pacing them along. social workers, keeping abreast of available resources— They have a routine and the teacher is setting the tone,” and sharing what those are with other social workers. Scott says. “There’s a lot of normalcy and structure Connecting with others helps social workers know that comes from that.” So children who are not used to they are not alone: “Other people are having these same working online and remotely may have lower grades kinds of struggles and problems,” Scott says. “Other because they lack the structure and motivation. people don’t have all the answers. We are figuring lots Teachers continue to be the primary referral source of things out.” for school social workers. Even remotely, they can see Third, social workers can embrace the pandemic as an changes in students’ demeanor or see that they’re not opportunity to reorganize and reinvent their roles with turning in assignments. But school social workers greater creativity. And while doing that, document. have gone further, expending extra effort to follow the From February 2020 to a year or two or three from that children who struggled in in-person settings. “They time, how did their practice change? What were the can look through their caseloads, maybe kids in foster lessons learned? Reflect on those things, Scott suggests. care or the ‘frequent fliers’ in student services, kids they And last, “school social workers in particular need know who have mental health issues—they can really to toot their horn a little bit, let people know exactly monitor and keep up with those students,” she says. what they do and how they do it,” while, of course, Many school social workers have created virtual maintaining confidentiality,” Scott says. “School social offices, so students can reach out to them. They may workers are essential workers. People need to know have a “calm room” online that includes serene music, school social workers are available and to know the role photos of animals, or activities that address specific they’re playing during the pandemic and that students skills to give children social or emotional support. are receiving the care they need.” Social workers continue outreach with students as well—home visits on the porch or in the yard, regular mail, email, phone, video conferencing or dropping things off on the porch. They’ve assessed the students’ situations to see what the needs are. Maybe children don’t have the equipment they need to attend classes online, or maybe they do but they lack Internet access. In those instances, social workers figure out where, within the school district, they can go for those resources. Beyond classwork, they’ve also helped students obtain NASW food and emergency assistance if they are or have become homeless because of lost family income or other reasons. Scott says school social workers should know Coronavirus and be familiar with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which assists homeless students with a Resources variety of needs, including transportation, enrollment, and access to food. When someone close to a student has died from COVID or died during the pandemic,

Feb-Mar 2021 | 29 Association News

NASW Delegates Approve Goals for Next Three Years

BY PAUL R. PACE

NASW’s Delegate Assembly approved its priority goals for the next three years, as well as revisions to 14 public policy statements that had been under review. Delegates also considered two proposed changes to the Code of Ethics.

The Delegate Assembly is executive directors from Assembly in November the representative, decision- each chapter are nonvoting at its national office in making body through delegates, making a total of Washington, D.C. which NASW members 277 members. The Delegate “There were 12 staff set broad organizational Assembly meets once every members on site along with policy, establish program three years and approves our national president, priorities, and develop a all policies published in and we took precautions collective stance on public “Social Work Speaks.” and safeguards to avoid and professional issues. NASW has been exposure to the COVID-19 It comprises 220 elected conducting its Delegate virus,” said Sue Jashinsky, delegates, including the Assembly virtually since chief administrative officer national board of directors 2008. The association at NASW. “That was a new In addition, the NASW hosted the culminating challenge for us. We usually chief executive officer and meeting of the Delegate hold the culminating

30 | Social Work Advocates Association News

meeting in August. Because Champion efforts to • Mental Health advancing cultural humility. of the pandemic, we support the social • School Safety The delegates also moved it to November.” work profession: Drive • Sovereignty Rights considered proposed new advocacy efforts to increase and the Well-Being of language within the Ethical Program Priority Goals fair opportunities and Indigenous People Principles’ Values section The following approved compensation, improve on Integrity. The proposed program priority goals working conditions Changes to the NASW additional language was will be effective from July and environment, and Code of Ethics about self-care. The new 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024. expand leadership roles There were two proposed language is in bold. for social workers. sets of changes to the Strengthen NASW’s Code of Ethics submitted “Social workers are continually Public Policy Updates standing as the for consideration. During aware of the profession’s pre-eminent resource for Fourteen public policy the November meeting, mission, values, ethical social workers: Strengthen areas were up for review. delegates discussed the principles, and ethical NASW’s responsiveness to Over the course of two concepts of cultural standards and practice in a its members and standing years, policy panels—made competence, cultural manner consistent with them. as the pre-eminent, trusted up of members who are awareness and cultural Social workers should take resource for day-to- experts in the content areas humility in section 1.05 necessary measures to care for day practice support, of the policies—convened of the ethical standards. themselves professionally and professional development online to offer proposed This was also debated personally in the workplace, and advocacy for all revisions. Each revision during the 2017 DA. After their private lives, and in professional social workers. proposal was put up for much discussion, the society. Social workers act public comment for 30 days delegates approved the honestly and responsibly and Maximize awareness The policy panels looked renaming of the section promote ethical practices on of the value of social at the comments and made from “Cultural Awareness the part of the organizations work: Promote awareness further revisions if needed. and Social Diversity” back with which they are affiliated.” among key stakeholders The delegates made their to “Cultural Competence.” that professional social final vote on the proposed In addition, the delegates The delegates will workers are essential in revisions. The revised approved the addition of reconvene Feb. 19 to addressing a broad range policies will be published in a new paragraph within continue debate only on of individual, community the next edition of “Social that section that addresses this proposal since the and societal challenges. Work Speaks.” Revised the need for social November meeting ran policy areas include: workers to demonstrate overtime and the presider Leverage the NASW • Adolescent and Young cultural humility and determined that a quorum enterprise for maximum Adult Health cultural awareness: was no longer present by social and racial justice • Community Development the end of the meeting. impact: Vigorously and • Confidentiality and Social workers should The revised NASW Code strategically advocate Information Utilization demonstrate awareness of Ethics will be published for the social work • Crime Victim Assistance and cultural humility by after the reconvened profession’s unique social • Family Violence engaging in critical self- February meeting. and racial justice agenda. • Hospice Care reflection (understanding The next Delegate • Parental Kidnapping their own bias and engaging Assembly cycle starts July Elevate the quality of • Rural Social Work in self-correction); recognizing 1, with the culminating social work: Promote • Voter Participation clients as experts of their meeting scheduled excellence and innovation • Foster Care and Adoption own culture; committing to for August 2023. in social work practice. • Juvenile Justice and life-long learning; and holding Delinquency Prevention institutions accountable for

Feb-Mar 2021 | 31 Association News

Social Work Month Campaign Highlights Profession's Vital Role

BY PAUL R. PACE

Social Work Month, which is observed each March, provides an opportunity to celebrate and elevate the social work profession. The theme for Social Work Month 2021 is “Social Workers Are Essential.̕̕

“We hope our campaign will educate even more members of the public about social work and give social workers tools they need to promote the profession.” Visitors to SocialWorkMonth.org will find: • Draft press release and draft Letter to the Editor • A sample proclamation that social workers can send to city, local or state government officials. • Social Work Month promotional materials and merchandise through Jim Coleman, LTD. The NASW Massachusetts Chapter holds its annual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day during Social Work Month in 2017. Participants lobby their elected officials during the event, advocating for bills • A Social Work Month important to the profession. video public service announcement to share employed to effect positive on social media. change with individuals, • Advice from experts families, groups and on how social workers entire communities. can better share their “Social work has always stories in the news and been an essential profession entertainment media. but the coronavirus NASW also provides a pandemic has made tool kit that social workers people even more aware can use to promote the As practitioners, social of the important work profession during Social workers are trained to help social workers are doing Work Month and beyond. people address personal on the front lines,” said and systemic barriers to Greg Wright, NASW’s optimal living. They are communications director.

32 | Social Work Advocates Association News

In Brief

NASW Joins Two Amicus Briefs at Supreme Court

NASW and several child welfare/ adoption organizations participated in the Fulton v. City of Philadelphia amicus brief that was filed in the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020. The case came from a Third Circuit challenge to Philadelphia’s enforcement on nondiscrimination. It involves Catholic Social Services (CSS) suing the City of Philadelphia (ACA) in California v. and families of color. The Philadelphia after the should not be required Texas, consolidated with brief emphasized that city decided to stop to resume making Texas v. California. the COVID-19 pandemic contracting with foster referrals to CSS; was In this case, a group and impending economic care providers that not motivated by any of states led by Texas is recession make the ACA’s turned away same-sex religious animus; and attempting to dismantle protections even more prospective foster parents. was not punishing CSS the entirety of the ACA critical for women’s health The brief argues that for refusing to adopt a by arguing that the ACA’s and economic security. “requiring states and cities particular religious view. “individual responsibility The brief explained to permit agencies to The brief asks the court provision” was rendered how the ACA’s multiple discriminate would create to affirm the court of unconstitutional when protections against a significant barrier to appeals’ judgment. Congress reduced the sex discrimination in fostering. Discriminatory In another case, NASW tax for not having health care have resulted policies will discourage joined an amicus brief health insurance to zero in improved health some potential LGBTQ led by the National as part of tax reform outcomes and economic foster parents from ever Women’s Law Center, in December 2017. A security for women contacting a foster care National Partnership for coalition of states led by and their families, and agency about the potential Women and Families, California and the U.S. that Congress had no to foster children.” Black Women’s Health House of Representatives intention of discarding CSS asked the court to Imperative, American stepped in to defend these protections when reinstate its taxpayer- Medical Association, and the ACA, as the former it lowered the tax for the funded contract while 76 other organizations Trump administration individual responsibility also claiming it had committed to women’s had declined to do so. provision in 2017. the right under the rights and racial justice. The brief explains the These briefs can be Free Exercise Clause The brief was filed devastating impact that found in the NASW Legal of the Constitution to in the U.S. Supreme striking down the ACA Defense Fund (LDF) discriminate. However, Court, supporting would have on women amicus brief database. the Third Circuit Court California’s defense of and their families—and of Appeals ruled that the Affordable Care Act particularly on women

Feb-Mar 2021 | 33 Association News

In Brief

Social Worker to Lead VA Bernstein Will Advise President’s Biden Nominates Sherman as President Joe Biden Economic Team Deputy Secretary of State tapped social worker President Joe Biden President Joe Biden Meg Kabat to lead his appointed social worker nominated social administration’s Jared Bernstein to his worker Wendy transition at the U.S. Council of Economic Sherman as deputy Department of Veterans Advisers. The CEA is a secretary of state, the Affairs, according to an article at small group of experts second-highest ranking meritalk.com. who offer the president advice on in the U.S. Department of State. Kabat, LCSW-C, CCM, is currently economic matters. In announcing his appointees to the State a senior director at the Atlas Group Bernstein, PhD, MSW, is a senior Department, Biden said he was confident consultant firm, where her clients fellow at the Center on Budget and “they will use their diplomatic experience include the Defense Health Agency Policy Priorities. Bernstein is a and skill to restore America’s global and and the VA. Kabat was previously longtime economic adviser to Biden. moral leadership. America is back.” the national director of the Caregiver He previously served as the executive Sherman, an NASW Social Work Support Program at the VA. director of the White House task force Pioneer®, was the first female Social workers play a key role at on the middle class and as an economic Undersecretary for Political Affairs the VA. The agency has more than adviser to President Barack Obama. (2011-2015), where she was the lead 15,000 social workers on staff, negotiator for the Iran Nuclear Deal. making it the largest employer of social workers in the nation.

With hundreds of easily accessible CE courses in a variety of formats, the CE Institute brings state and national required education to one place. All courses on the Online CE Institute are accredited by either the NASW National Office or one of the NASW Chapters and formatted so that you can learn at your convenience—through webinars, podcasts, presentations, and more.

Keep current on the latest research, theory, and techniques that guide social work practice. START LEARNING NOW. naswinstitute.inreac hce.com

NASW MEMBER SERVICES 800.742.4089 M-F 9am - 9pm ET Make t he most o f y our membership SOCIALWORKERS.ORG

34 | Social Work Advocates Association News

SOCIAL WORK IN ACTION

NASW Urges Student Loan Debt Cancellation

Federal Bill NASW joined more than 235 organizations Decriminalizes in sending a November letter to President- Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-Elect Marijuana Kamala Harris, calling on them to use executive authority to cancel federal student NASW supports the Marijuana Opportunity debt on day one of their administration. Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) In the letter, 238 nonprofit and community Act (H.R. 3884), which the U.S. House of organizations highlight that cancelling Representatives passed in December. The student debt would stimulate the economy, legislation seeks to decriminalize marijuana. help reduce the racial wealth gap, and could Specifically, it removes marijuana from have a positive impact on health outcomes. the list of scheduled substances under the The groups write that “executive action is Controlled Substances Act and eliminates one of the few available tools that could criminal penalties for an individual who immediately provide a boost to upward of manufactures, distributes or possesses 44 million borrowers and the economy,” marijuana. The legislation also expunges and that it would be an important first step prior marijuana convictions, and invests in in advancing Biden’s campaign priorities communities that have been targeted for 50 to ensure racial equity, focus on economic years by the war on drugs. recovery, and deliver COVID-19 relief.

NASW Says More Aid is Needed After Economic Relief Package Passes

NASW in December commended Congress and the White House for passing a $900 billion economic relief package that will provide aid to individuals, families and communities as COVID- 19 continues to rage. “This package delivers urgently needed help to millions of Americans who continue to struggle due to unemployment only taxpayers and their students were excluded. We the devastating fallout from enhancement payment. dependents under 17 qualify urge Congress and the Biden the pandemic,” said NASW “We are disappointed for the direct payments. This Administration to include CEO Angelo McClain. that student loan debt relief means that millions of adult these and other provisions in The aid includes 10 weeks was not included in the dependents, including the future relief packages.” of jobless benefits and a package,” McClain said. “We elderly, disabled and many $300 weekly supplemental are also disappointed that high-school and college age

Feb-Mar 2021 | 35 Association News

THE PROFESSIONAL—CLINICAL PRACTICE Behavioral Health Care Needed in Plan to Treat Chronic Pain BY PAUL R. PACE

More than half of the American Psychological current climate toward she noted the state requires Americans live with chronic Association. NASW, an improving care for people continuing education for or recurrent pain. Forty AACIPM partner, was a with chronic pain in social work licensure. percent of Americans say symposium sponsor. the U.S. continues to be “In all my social work pain interferes with their The program examined complicated, Colón said. training, I did not have any mood, sleep, ability to work behavioral health as part of a Part of the problem is care content on pain management, and enjoy their lives. comprehensive approach to is fragmented. including in my death and These statistics come pain management from the “The people I work with dying elective,” she said. from Denise Giambalvo, perspectives of providers, often do not know social “There’s an important vice president of the people with pain, payors and workers can help with pain opportunity we can all take Midwest Business Group on purchasers of health care. or that they are trained to promote the continuing Health. She was among the Panelists included Yvette in interventions that can education of social workers panelists for the symposium Colón, PhD, ACSW, LMSW, address the difficulties and other professions.” “Behavioral Health as Part a longtime NASW member they have with pain,” Colón noted it’s vital to of Comprehensive Pain Care and associate professor at Colón told attendees. think about the intersection and Payment Design for Eastern Michigan University Insurance coverage, and of mental health, chronic People with Pain.” School of Social Work. where to find help and pain and opioid use. The Alliance to Advance Much work has been training for caregivers View a recording of Comprehensive Integrative done in the last 20 years remains inconsistent among the symposium and Pain Management hosted the to support effective pain the professions, she said. more information at event in partnership with management, but the As a Michigan resident, painmanagementalliance.org.

Elder Justice Work Continues Aging-Focused Policy Principles Available The National Center on Elder Abuse Resource Center, funded by the Administration for The Jewish Federations of North America Community Living, has been housed at the has received a new five-year grant from the University of Southern California Keck School Administration for Community Living to of Medicine the past six years. continue its work in fostering person-oriented, Keck received a one-year extension of funding trauma-informed (PCTI) service delivery. With from ACL. Board members continuing service this grant, JFNA is building on its work with include NASW Ohio Chapter member Georgia Holocaust survivors to serve other older adults Anetzberger, NASW New York City Chapter with histories of trauma, and family caregivers of member Risa Breckman, and NASW Senior those older people. Practice Associate Chris Herman. The JFNA Center on Aging and Trauma, in As part of its fourth year work, NCEA is partnership with a broad network of local and continuing free access to “Reframing the national agencies that serve older adults and family Conversation on Elder Abuse,” a digital tool caregivers, will work to further PCTI services developed in partnership with the FrameWorks throughout the Aging Services Network. Institute. Visit bit.ly/ElderAbuseFWA and, NASW has collaborated with the JFNA Center during the check-out process, enter the coupon for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care since code WEAAD2020 for free access through 2015 and looks forward to continued collaboration June 2021. Visit ncea.acl.gov for additional to expand and enhance PCTI service delivery. information and resources from NCEA. AgingAndTrauma.org

36 | Social Work Advocates Association News

THE PROFESSIONAL—SPECIALTY PRACTICE Learn How to Help Families Struggling With Effects of Pandemic BY PAUL R. PACE

The COVID-19 pandemic is available on demand avoidance and shutting “It’s not about avoiding is forcing many families to at bit.ly/30Abalc. down, she says. difficult conversations,” live under the same roof in a The process begins with It’s vital to promote Ross says. It is possible to way no one ever anticipated. first getting to know the positive outcomes: give have a difficult conversation For many, the global crisis family and what brings successful examples of in a different way. has triggered not only a them to therapy. The second using new insights and Do you have to agree to be personal family crisis but part is helping the family tools to resolve conflict. close? For some families it is also an opportunity and identify the dynamics The result, she says, is vital, but others can tolerate willingness to address and patterns they have the family member starts differences, she says. unhealed wounds and established and what each to feel more connected engage in family therapy person’s role is within that. and understood. as never before, says Tracy It’s important the therapist K. Ross, LCSW, a couples sets ground rules in the and family therapist beginning that you want in New York City. to hear from everyone, Supporting the Mental Health Because of COVID, there Ross says. You make sure is an interruption in many you say everyone is going of DACA Recipients families’ life cycles, she to get a chance to say what Another recent NASW SPS webinar is explains. This is resulting is going on with them so “Supporting the Mental Health of DACA in more families seeking it is not one person taking Recipients.” It is available on demand at therapy at her practice. charge and dominating. bit.ly/30Abalc. Adult children are moving You want to explore With the pandemic impacting communities back home. College students family goals as well as across the nation and leading to a new mental are taking classes from individual goals. health crisis, community members who are home. People can’t get “Every family does have underserved, oppressed and experience mental married. Young parents are strengths and this is going health stigma are at a greater risk of facing mental forced to work from home. to be your bridge to how health distress. The risks increase when policy and politics dictate and limit community members’ There is unexpected illness you help the family shift access, rights, and opportunities that enable and loss. Spouses want to and what they do well individuals to secure basic safety, and physiological separate but are waiting, together,” Ross says. and health needs. due to the pandemic. You want to bring out The webinar, featuring an interdisciplinary team “These are all the things differences and similarities of mental health providers, scholars, and Deferred I am seeing in my work,” in how each person defines Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, Ross explains. “They are the problems. Each person provides trauma-informed and culturally extremely challenging for understands and takes responsive strategies to respond and promote the families and everyone.” responsibility for some part mental well-being of DACA recipients. It’s up to the family of the family dynamic. The learning objectives are: therapist to uncover “I coach families • Describe the stressors that immigrants and understand the on how to do things with undocumented and temporary status family interactions and differently,” Ross said, face and current environmental stressors relationships, Ross says. adding that she provides heightening distress. She shares her communication methods • Describe how mental health distress recommendations for to bring about change. may manifest in DACA recipients. successful family counseling She highlights using • Provide clinical, mezzo and macro in her NASW Specialty support vs. criticism of approaches and strategies to alleviate Practice Sections webinar, other family members. distress and promote healing. “Family Therapy During It’s important to prevent a Global Pandemic.” It blaming and shaming,

Feb-Mar 2021 | 37 Association News

BOARDROOM

Never Doubt Giving Back Can Change the World BY PAUL R. PACE

What inspired you to run for a seat on the NASW national board? As social workers I think we have the I have been a member of opportunity to contribute to our profession NASW for the past 36 “ and our global society by actively engaging years. For many years, my in the communities we serve and in our involvement with NASW involvement on professional committees was at the local level. Then and boards." a colleague nominated me to run for a board position in the NYS chapter. In subsequent years, I served in enhance our membership your time to these other elected NYS chapter organization and promote different groups? positions, including vice the values and principles of As social workers I think president, president-elect our beloved profession. we have the opportunity to Debra Fromm Faria, LCSW, is and president. I also served contribute to our profession clinical associate professor and on Delegate Assembly What advice do you have and our global society by MSW field coordinator, and several times. These for NASW members actively engaging in the coordinator of the Graduate experiences helped me thinking of volunteering communities we serve Certificate in Gerontological understand the importance their time for NASW and in our involvement on Social Work at the Department of active engagement in leadership? professional committees of Social Work at the College our association. When Through my many and boards. The image that at Brockport, State University nominated to run for the experiences with NASW, comes to mind is of ripples of New York. NYS Region III board I have had the opportunity created on a pond when She also is the director position, it was without to develop meaningful a pebble is thrown. The of Region III of the hesitation that I agreed. I am relationships with amazing ripples expand in larger NASW national board of now in my third year in this and passionate social circles and each pebble directors, which represents role, and I am so grateful for workers with whom I creates additional ripples. New York State. meaningful opportunities have had the privilege Through our individual I have experienced, to to collaborate. This has involvement, we can be a contribute to governance of been both humbling and pebble that creates ripples NASW at the national level enriching personally and that joins with others, and as while also staying in tune to professionally. My advice a collective we can influence the needs of the constituents is to get involved. As a policy positions, legislative in Region III that elected me membership organization, advocacy, and promote social as their representative to the our strength is in the and racial equity and justice board. talents and skills of NASW in ways that embody our members that contribute profession’s principles and Why is it important to their commitment values and enhances well- you to give back to your and leadership to this being and human rights. I professional association? important work. often think about Margaret It is quite meaningful to Mead’s quote: “Never have the opportunity to be You have devoted doubt that a small group in a volunteer leadership your time to serve on of thoughtful committed role within NASW and many professional and citizens can change the participate in committees advisory boards. Why is world. Indeed, it is the only and policy deliberations that it important to diversify thing that ever has.”

38 | Social Work Advocates Association News

FOUNDATION

Social Workers, Others Honored for Outstanding Service BY PAUL R. PACE

Social worker Erin Merryn is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. To help put an end to the exploitation she suffered, Merryn has lobbied every state to pass Erin’s Law. It requires public schools to implement a prevention- oriented program that ensures every child in kindergarten through 12th grade receives sexual abuse prevention education. Beginning with her home state of Illinois in 2009, Erin’s Law has now been passed in 37 states. In 2015, President Obama signed the federal version of Erin's Law, advocacy, and social change. and chief Washington hospital needed services to providing federal funding “It was social workers who correspondent; U.S. Rep. support their adjustment to to schools to implement stepped in my life when Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, community living. this education. Merryn has I was being abused and and U.S. Rep. Barbara Zander Keig received traveled across the nation to after I broke my silence,” Lee, D-Calif. the NASW Social Worker testify before legislators in Merryn said, noting that In addition, NASW past of the Year Award for support of the law. she knew at age 12 she was presidents Gary Bailey and his unparalleled work in Because of her efforts, going to be a social worker. Sue Dworak-Peck gave promoting the dignity and Merryn received the “That eventually made me welcome messages. health of people who are NASW Foundation Knee/ realize I wanted to give back NASW Social Work transgender, living with a Wittman Outstanding and help other vulnerable Pioneer® Patricia Martin- mental illness, or serving in Achievement Award. children to find their voice.” O’Meally received the our nation’s military. She was among the NASW President Mildred NASW Foundation Keig, a U.S. Coast Guard honorees who were “Mit” C. Joyner, and Steve Knee/Wittman Lifetime veteran, also was the clinical celebrated recently at Pemberton, best-selling Achievement Award for 52 social work case manager The NASW and NASW author of “A Chance in the years of practice improving for the Navy Medicine West Foundation “Virtual Night World,” co-hosted the event, services to people living Transgender Care Team at at the Awards, A Night which included a live Q&A. with a mental illness and Naval Medical Center in San to Remember.” Pemberton said he grew up for her commitment to Diego from 2016 to 2019. The online ceremony in the foster care system and community and social Keig, also serves on showcased social work credits social workers with work education. the NASW LGBT Issues excellence with the changing his personal and Martin-O’Meally was a Committee. prestigious NASW and professional trajectory for pioneer in organizing and The NASW Foundation NASW Foundation the better. developing community- International Rhoda G. Awards, which recognize Congratulatory messages based programs to meet Sarnat Award went to the individuals whose work were sent from Ambassador the needs of seriously Clarence and Diana Ming has left an imprint in social Wendy Sherman, MSW; mentally ill individuals Chan family for their work leadership, policy Jake Tapper, CNN anchor who upon leaving the significant impact on school

Feb-Mar 2021 | 39 Association News

social work through their Official of the Year Pennsylvania social worker better world, especially creation of the Learning award for advocating for Dr. Scott Giacomucci is young social workers,” he Springboard program in the improved mental health the first recipient of the said. “Young people are NASW Foundation. services and supporting the NASW Emerging Social the future. NASW’s new Their monetary and social work profession. Work Leader Award for his Emerging Leader Award visionary support has Schlossberg has experienced accomplishments in trauma recognizes that.” increased the number of depression and anxiety and treatment, group work, View the event at school social workers in contemplated suicide. He social work education and youtu.be/_2S2cJyUHuo. the San Francisco Unified has taken a public stand research, and work as an School District. The to demand mental health advocate for people in prison Sarnat Award is given parity, so treatment of mental and youth detention centers. to an individual, group illnesses is viewed the same “I believe young people or organization that has as treatment for any other will have a central role significantly impacted the diagnosed medical condition. in working to create a public image of professional social work. Their son, Harrison Leong, accepted the award. FOUNDATION DONATIONS He remembered his mother’s The NASW Foundation extends its thanks to all NASW members and friends who lend their unstoppable drive and fi nancial support, with special thanks to the following for their contributions of $100 or more through Dec. 15, 2020. All donors are listed at naswfoundation.org. passion for social issues like domestic violence. NASW Foundation General Fund University of North Kenneth Beck, Wanda Ellingson, Jane Mitchel, Jean Parr, Anna Scheyett, Ligia Soileau, Joanne Cruz Carolina Chapel Hill social Tenery (monthly), Kathryn Wehrmann, Steven Wong, Judith Zabin work professor and author Iris Carlton-LaNey received A Virtual Night at the Awards, A Night to Remember Robert Carter Arnold, Jeane Anastas in memory of Dr. Betsy Clark, Freddie Avant, Darlyne Bailey on the NASW Lifetime behalf of The Social Justice Initiative at Bryn Mawr College-Scott embodies the light of love in social Achievement Award for her justice for all, Sylvia P. Browne in honor of Patricia Martin-O'Meally, Patricia Campbell-Smith in honor decades of work in training of Patricia Martin-O’Meally, Elvira Craig de Silva in honor of Lorraine Garcia, Kerri Criswell, Rebecca social workers to identify Davis, Enrico “Rick” DeGironimo, Esther Dickerson in honor of Patricia Martin-O'Meally, Suzanne Dworak-Peck in honor of awardees, Friends and Colleagues of Samuel “Sam” G. Conant in honor of and fight discrimination and him, Wanda Ellingson, Bernice Catherine Harper in honor of Patricia Martin-O'Meally and in memory institutionalized oppression. of Dr. Betsy Clark, Dorothy Harris in memory of Jack Hansan, Monica Harrison, Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen Lorraine Garcia’s work in in honor of Zander Keig, Tracy Hunt-White, D. Lynn Jackson, Catheleen Jordan, Mildred “Mit” Joyner, running the police youth Nancy Lim-Yee in honor of the Clarence and Diana Ming Chan Family, Anthony "Angelo" McClain, Terry Mizrahi, Wilma Peebles-Wilkins, Joel Rubin, Cudore Snell in honor of Patricia Martin-O'Meally, program in the Los Angeles Lann Thompson,Betsy Vourlekis in honor of Patricia Martin-O'Meally, Kathryn Wehrmann, Stanley Royal Heights neighborhood Weinstein in honor of Patricia Martin-O'Meally, Gail Woods-Waller in honor of Patricia Martin- earned her the NASW O'Meally, Lynne Wright, Marc and Joan Levy Zlotnik in honor of Iris Carlton-LaNey Public Citizen of the NASW Foundation—Giving Tuesday NASW Public Education Campaign Year award. Robert Carter Arnold, Lisa Burch, Kerri Criswell, Joanne Cruz Tenery (monthly) Garcia has been executive Renee Tucker-Eisape, Barbara Shank, Kim director of the Los Angeles Simpson, Jennifer Watt, Kathryn Wehrmann Professional SW Pins Police Department University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas NASW Memorial and Tribute Fund at Monticello, Radford University, Hollenbeck Police Activities Cudore Snell in memory of Dr. Betsy Clark, Sacred Heart University League since 2001. The Lann Thompson in memory of Dr. Betsy Clark, program, which she started Anonymous in memory of Ronald T. Tucker NASW Social Work Pioneers® Fund with Officer Glenda Brooks, Karen Bullock, Charles Howard in memory Planned Giving (to Foundation General Fund) of Jim Evans, Jr., Marcus Garvey Battle, and was created to reduce gang Jaye Ruth Friedman-Levy via the Beatrice and Barbara White, Esther Langston in memory violence and promote Leon Friedman Charitable Foundation, of Dean Millie Charles healthy social-emotional Charles and Davida Wittman Adelberg in skills among youth. memory of Milton Wittman via the Learning Springboard Endowment Fidelity Charitable Donor Advised Fund Clarence Chan Pennsylvania State Rep. Mike Schlossberg accepted the NASW Public Elected

40 | Social Work Advocates Association News

CHAPTERS

Indiana Chapter Webinar Addresses Children’s Grief BY ALISON LAURIO

things they do at Camp Eva. Sometimes ... about grief, we don't know what words to use. There are so many sides of grief and death.” “For kids, now there’s COVID and virtual learning—changing routines, changing friends, friends moving away,” Cohen added. “There are a lot of those things kids have to deal with that they have to have help with.” “Grief can impact kids more and all of us more Most people know the of Columbus, Ind. They also shared than it ever has, and it fourth Thursday in The Indiana Chapter evidence-based seemed like the right time November is Thanksgiving, based its program on intervention strategies to do (the presentation.)” but fewer are aware the the day camp, which has and “ways to connect to One of the ways grief is third Thursday of the activities that are fun and local programming.” normalized is talking about month is Children's Grief children are guided to “Jess was aware of the it, she said. “We should talk Awareness Day. process the activities as they (grief awareness) day, to kids about whatever they It is designed to help relate to grief and coping. and that was part of the want to talk about. Kids everyone become more The article says children reason for doing it,” Cohen deal with it differently. aware of the needs of dress up and share stories said. “Also, I think, in There are developmental grieving children and of the loved ones they lost, particular, because it is stages of grief for children.” the benefits they obtain and a therapy dog is nearby an important topic.” The chapter included through the support of and accessible to them. Cohen said chapter some activities that are others, and to make sure The NASW-Indiana leadership surveys done at Camp Eva, she said, they receive support. website says the chapter’s members, asking them including making memory NASW Indiana held a webinar “directly about programs they jars, where you write happy webinar late last year titled addresses concerns and would like to have. memories and put them in “Children Grieve Too,” strategies for supporting “This one was really a jar to keep them safe. said chapter Executive children throughout planned around the Grief “There’s so much to learn Director Beryl Cohen. the grief process.” Awareness Day,” she said. and keep track of in all our She asked Jessica Curd, the Cohen said Clark “Grief is one of those lives,” Cohen said. “It was a chapter's Region 10 director and Curd talked about topics people don’t like good way to open the door and a hospice social worker strategies, including talking about. Kids process for somebody who doesn’t who is aware of the event recognizing and assessing differently than we do, do a lot of grief work.” day, to help in planning. grief in children; but they don’t necessarily The presentation was a Melissa Clark created the “recognition of different have the words.” Lunch and Learn session day camp, Camp Eva, in types of grief, including The goal was to talk and free for members, 2016 after her family's baby, anticipatory grief, traumatic some about Camp Eva, the she said, and Our Hospice Eva Julianna, was stillborn grief and delayed grief; and stages of grief, and how of Southern Indiana in 2013, according to a story how grief expresses itself kids can express grief, co-sponsored the session. in The Republic newspaper in unique populations.” Cohen said. “It’s the same

Feb-Mar 2021 | 41 Association News

Alaska’s Cultural Competence Program Adds to Chapter’s Library

Tonie Protzman, NASW- vast state,” she said. Alaska’s executive director, The December program, The program included information about said the chapter is building “Culturally Competent increasing awareness of service gaps with a library of programs that Practice: Delivering an Indigenous Peoples, recognizing bias in will be on demand and Indigenous Peoples Scope service delivery, and applying knowledge available to all members. for Health and Well-being,” of Indigenous Peoples’ sovereignty in The COVID virus is one is important because some relationship building. reason, but the fact Alaska cultural hours are required covers 663,300 square miles for licensing, Protzman with a total population said. “I think about what of only 700,000 people members need and how to Peoples’ sovereignty in Protzman said. “You have who are spread out also help them because I want to relationship building. to integrate culture into means it’s too challenging keep social workers here.” Knowing the aspects practice when culture to get everyone together. Connectivity can be a of the varied cultures is is the big elephant “You have to fly, you challenge, because not important to providing in the room.” can’t drive,” Protzman everyone in the villages has services, Protzman said. The program was free said. “That costs a lot of Internet service, she said. Some cultures don’t for students because it money, which is not user The program included accept gay or transgender provides foundational friendly to members.” information about members. Or, someone skills they will need if they There are more than 20 increasing awareness could be shunned if work in a clinic, she said. indigenous population of service gaps with they told on a family “It’s a good introduction groups in Alaska, each Indigenous Peoples, member who sexually to sharpening skills. You with its own culture, and recognizing bias in service abused them. need everyday skills if the chapter’s 353 members delivery, and applying “There is some you work in a clinic.” are “spread all over this knowledge of Indigenous generational trauma there,”

New Mexico Chapter: Mindful Mondays Provide Social Workers With Self-Care

After COVID-19 moved social workers to join,” her said. “We wanted to have of self-care. People the New Mexico Chapter’s online classes, Tari said. the opportunity for folks need to have as many 2020 state conference to an “She actually had a besides members to do resources as they can in online format, Executive following to begin with, self-care and connect, these stressful times.” Director Mika Tari wanted and it’s the only group still so it’s open to all.” Tari said she likes the a way to bring members going,” she said. “The ability “I think we have the idea of chapters sharing together somehow. to do self-care and have responsibility as part of what they are doing “I wanted folks to be able someone guide you through our social work values to with each other. “I feel to collect their CEUs and that is very beneficial.” make sure we’re meeting a sense of support is have a forum for them to All the sessions are live the needs of the profession so needed, and it can connect and do self-care, so on Facebook, and they and the professionals— happen if folks want I reached out to members will continue but may and meeting the needs to be connected.” to see if they had any move to another platform self-care ideas,” she said. this year. The number of They tried several group members taking part varies “I think we have the responsibility as activities, including from a handful to around part of our social work values to make a coffee hour. Then a dozen, and the roughly sure we’re meeting the needs of the Bhanu Joy Harrison, a one-hour Monday morning “ profession and the professionals—and member who holds online sessions have a consistent meeting the needs of self-care. People mindfulness classes, ethics following, Tari said. need to have as many resources as they workshops and trainings, “People find a sense of can in these stressful times.” “generously offered our self at their core,” she

42 | Social Work Advocates Association News

SAVE THE DATE

February Feb. 12 NASW Specialty Practice Sections Webinar: “Are Families Getting the Help They Need? Making Services More Accessible” 1-2:30 p.m. ET socialworkers.org/Careers/ Specialty-Practice-Sections/ SPS-Webinar-Catalog

Feb. 17 NASW’s An Hour With Private Practice: “Liability Considerations in a Mid- and Post-Pandemic World” Noon-1 p.m. ET socialworkers.org/practice/ an-hour-with-private- practice

Feb. 25 NASW Specialty Practice Sections Webinar: “Clinical Art Psychotherapy in Complex Trauma Treatment with Diverse Populations” 1-3 p.m. ET March 7-8 March 22-25 April socialworkers.org/Careers/ NASW New Jersey Chapter School Social Work Association Specialty-Practice-Sections/ April 6-15 Annual Conference of America National School SPS-Webinar-Catalog American Society on Aging Virtual Social Work Conference Annual Conference naswnj.org Virtual Feb. 26 Virtual sswaa.org NASW New York State March 17 asaging.org Chapter Student Conference NASW’s An Hour With March 25-26 naswnys.org/survive-and- April 15-16 Private Practice: “Meeting NASW Maryland Chapter thrive-student-conference NASW Massachusetts Chapter the Challenges of Passing An Social Work Month Annual Symposium Audit in Private Practice” Conference March Virtual Noon-1 p.m. ET Virtual naswma.org March 4 socialworkers.org/practice/an- nasw-md.org NASW Specialty Practice hour-with-private-practice April 15-16 Sections Webinar: “Moral March 25-27 NASW Michigan Chapter Distress and Injury in Social March 18-19 NASW Virginia Chapter Annual Conference Work—Cases, Causes, and NASW South Dakota Chapter Annual Conference Virtual Strategies for Prevention” Annual Conference Virtual nasw-michigan.org Noon-3 p.m. ET Sioux Falls naswva.org socialworkers.org/Careers/ naswsd.socialworkers.org Specialty-Practice-Sections/ March 30 SPS-Webinar-Catalog NASW Virtual Career Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ET Register: joblink. socialworkers.org/events

Feb-Mar 2021 | 43 Association News

TOOLBOX

Social Work as a Business Model: Entrepreneurial and Innovative Thinking Help Address Social Problems BY PAUL R. PACE Social entre- value chain approaches co-authored pioneering innovative thinking, preneurship, can shift from a business- manuscripts on this establishing and growing intrapreneur- only model to the core of topic within our field, nonprofit organizations, ship social work practice. we thought that it was strengthening public and value The editors are Monica important to publish a service, and developing creation offer Nandan, PhD, director of book on this topic written private practices, the innovative, adaptable and Strategic Partnerships and by and for social workers,” editors point out. scalable strategies to complex Social Impact and professor Nandan said. “Based on “This book illuminates that social and human problems, of Social Work and Human our work in the field, we perspective and highlights according to the editors of the Services at WellStar College knew that social workers the role of social work NASW Press book, “Social of Health and Human were entrepreneurial, entrepreneurship across Work Entrepreneurship, Services; Tricia Bent- often ‘creating something the globe,” Nandan said. Intrapreneurship, and Goodley, PhD, professor with nothing’ but were Professionals within and Social Value Creation: at Howard University not using the term ‘social outside of social work can Relevance for Comtemporary School of Social Work; entrepreneurship’ as benefit from the book. Social Work Practice.” and Gokul Mandayam, we would often see in The content is not only for Using real-world scenarios, PhD, assistant professor business literature.” macro-level students and the text demonstrates at Rhode Island College Social workers are professionals but also for how social innovation, School of Social Work. known for implementing micro- and mezzo-level entrepreneurship, and “Since the three of us had entrepreneurial and practitioners, she said.

Competency-Based Approach in Work With Older Clients is More Important as Aging Population Increases BY PAUL R. PACE

The need Work Practice in the Field who are prepared to serve and racial, ethnic and FOUNDATIONS of Social Work Practice in the Field ofAging for qualified of Aging: A Competency- older adults is increasing. cultural factors. The book A Competency-Based Approach gerontological Based Approach, 2nd By 2040, the population of examines the intersection social workers Edition.” Galambos joined those 65 and older will be between human rights and

Colleen M. Galambos Roberta R. Greene Nancy P. Kropf is at an all-time Roberta R. Greene, Nancy 82.3 million, representing older adults and encourages Harriet L. Cohen high. With the P. Kroft, and Harriet L. nearly 22 percent of the the reader to develop a aging population projected to Cohen in writing the book. population, and will be twice human rights approach in dramatically increase, social as large as in 2000. The working with older adults. workers must understand What inspired this text? number of people 85 and We examine what it means how to effectively aid older My co-authors and I were older is expected to triple to create age friendly, clients with a wide range of interested in writing a to 14.6 million in 2040. We multiculturally competent political, social, cultural and practice book about older are clearly experiencing a organizations, communities economic experiences. adults from a competency longevity revolution. and policies. It is a book that Colleen Galambos, PhD, perspective. The content provides helpful information professor and Helen Bader in our book aligns with the What are some key on how to engage, assess Endowed chair in Applied Council on Social Work takeaways for readers? and intervene with older Gerontology at University Education’s competencies. The book challenges the adults, their families, and of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, reader to reflect and develop significant others. answers questions about Name an interesting self-awareness on social NASW Press products the NASW Press book, statistic from your book. justice issues that impact are available in print and “Foundations of Social The need for social workers older adults, such as ageism, online formats.

44 | Social Work Advocates Marketplace

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Feb-Mar 2021 | 45 Backstory

Travel Lessons

BY ALISON LAURIO

After studying French in high school and college, Cynthia V. Catchings wanted to experience “an education program like an exchange program, only on my own.’’ So she went to the University of Bordeaux in Pessac, France, for one semester in 2006 to practice the language and learn more. Staying a while after her classes ended, she said, was “actually the beginning of the whole story.’’

LEFT: Cynthia Catchings, LCSW, front right, rides an elephant with Aileen Palacios, LMSW, in Thailand in 2009. RIGHT: Catchings in Spain in 2016.

An Explorer is Born Grande Valley. When her After finishing her part of the world worked,” Catchings, LCSW-S, is husband was transferred, studies in Paris, Catchings Catchings said, “what some founder and director of they moved from Texas was walking around and of the programs they had the Women’s Emotional to Washington, D.C., in passed a beautifully kept or developed were, and Wellness Center in January 2018. orphanage. As she walked, most of all, which were the Alexandria, Va., and a In November, she was people smiled and said hello most successful relating to second location in McAllen, elected to the NASW to her. She went back to community services and Texas, where she also is an D.C. Metro Chapter look at the orphanage again. helping individuals.” adjunct faculty member at board of directors. “I thought it would be nice That thought was the the University of Texas-Rio to see how people in that spark that began Catchings’

46 | Social Work Advocates Backstory

trips to learn—traveling give their earnings to their usually twice a year, for a families to survive. current total of 32 trips “What I learned about “so far,” she said. social work, the number one Sometimes a person thing, is the collaboration she meets will with other agencies and the recommend another working with communities country and a person they as a whole,” Catchings said. know there, opening a door “I see that in every place, for travel to a different and when I see that, I think place. Catchings returns to ‘it takes a village.’” some countries, including “First, acceptance and love France and Turkey, visiting for all there is,” Catchings said. people she met before. “Social work and the work “Some places are more we do, it’s all going to benefit inviting,” she said. And people. I often think the work in most places, she finds is not that much, but we’re people who speak English. all doing it, and in the end, it benefits many people.” Cultural Education “First, I learned acceptance,” Why Social Work? she said. “I think many times Catchings started her studies we have preconceived ideas in psychology, and was of how people are. Once you required to take an elective. go, you learn how people “I took a social work TOP: Cynthia Catchings prays at an Orthodox shrine in Thailand in 2009. BOTTOM LEFT: A Thai child in a daycare facility in Thailand in 2009. really are and what they do, course and met an amazing BOTTOM RIGHT: A Thai girl at an orphanage in Thailand in 2009. and you can accept how they professor, and I realized are—accept one another.” I was in the wrong field,” What’s Next? they do. Next, try to learn She connects mainly she said. “I wanted to make Catchings did not travel about some of the named with other social workers, changes. I wanted to work in 2020, but continuing programs around the world. finding that those with communities, so I to travel is a given for her. To finance her trips, relationships often lead to immediately transferred” She already has an idea for Catchings tries to do new connections in other and began studies as a social the next place she wants to something extra, like teach places. For example, in work major. visit: Africa. Spanish or French, and puts Bangkok, Thailand, while She has discovered that “Being an experienced away that income. visiting a human trafficking world travel and social work traveler,” Catchings said, “I think the most important site, she met a social worker can go hand-in-hand. “I’d love to bring people, to thing for social workers from India who directed her “They both are learning help people get out there— to know and remember is to a friend. So she went to experiences,” Catchings so they can learn more traveling on your own is Mamallapuram, India. said. “Another similarity about social work as well.” not something to be afraid “While I was there is when you’re out there, Her recommendation to of,” she said. “People are learning what people there it’s really easy to see what anyone who wants to travel willing to help and work do, I met my tour guide—a the needs are. Being in a is to start with looking at with you, and you can bring 7-year-old girl,” Catchings community and seeing what information about what information from other said. The girl explained how it’s like, it’s easy to see what it is like in a preferred places to where we live. Don’t women had to work and people need.” destination, including be afraid — just do it!” what they did so they could the kind of social work

Feb-Mar 2021 | 47 Onward. Upward.

NASW Applauds Social Workers Through Advocacy

BY ANGELO MCCLAIN, PhD, LICSW

Social workers have made a tremendous impact on improving the delivery of health and human services and advancing the profession through advocacy. During the pandemic, NASW has used its voice to ensure the policies and programs prioritized on behalf of the profession, social work clients and communities in greatest need are not neglected. The coronavirus has workers for PPE, recognition work voice is represented exacerbated existing as essential workers, and during policy deliberations vulnerabilities, oppression priority access to vaccines. on health and social care and poverty. It has impeded At the federal and state delivery, client outcomes, access to employment, food levels, NASW achieved social work workforce and other resources—with several important policy development, and other issues NASW believes particular effects on our most successes in 2020. These of concern to the profession. the profession’s at-risk populations. Social include regulatory flexibility Grassroots campaigns obligation to workers are counteracting for telehealth, including through our state chapters are “ provide care for these societal ailments audio-only telehealth; central to these efforts. our clients during by demonstrating heroic and place-of-service NASW recently released the pandemic is work on the front lines and waivers, which improved its 2021 Blueprint of Federal tied to an equal putting into action the values reimbursement for providers Social Policy Priorities, obligation from articulated in the Code of of mental health telehealth— outlining urgently needed organizations, Ethics. We have also learned and thereby client access. policy solutions in 21 issue state and federal to maximize our utility We have taken first steps areas. COVID-19 has governments, by removing regulatory to make current telehealth affirmed the essential role and public health barriers on the modes and provisions permanent. social workers play during authorities to scope of social work practice. NASW also advocates emergencies and highlighted prioritize social Above all, the pandemic has for social workers to have our skills and flexibility. worker safety demanded—and revealed— financial support to attend NASW believes social and access to social workers’ resilience, social work school, access to workers’ resilience, leadership, resources. creativity and flexibility. loan-repayment programs, and voice against injustice and NASW believes the and help with advancing inequity will help the nation profession’s obligation to their education and training. recover from the pandemic. provide care for our clients We support policies that Together, we can help during the pandemic is tied affect social workers and build a more inclusive and to an equal obligation from their work environment, equitable new normal. organizations, state and such as workplace violence federal governments, and prevention legislation. public health authorities to NASW keeps abreast of prioritize social worker safety key issues Congress and the and access to resources. For Biden Administration are Contact Angelo McClain at this reason, we continue to discussing, and we develop [email protected] advocate on behalf of social strategies to ensure the social

48 | Social Work Advocates You good?

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