Resources
by Erlene Grise-Owens, Ed.D., LCSW, MSW, MRE, and Linda May Grobman, MSW, ACSW, LSW
The following is a list of resources from social work professional organizations to help you navigate social work practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most organizations have a general COVID-19 page where any pertinent information and news items are updated as the crisis continues to develop.
- American Clinical Social Work Association. ACSWA has a response to COVID-19 pertaining to physical and psychological safety and well-being for practitioners.
- Association of Social Work Boards. ASWB provides information on COVID-19 and social work licensing, including temporary suspension of exam delivery, as well as a drop-down list of state licensing boards, where you can look to see what, if any, emergency provisions your state’s board has made during this time.
- The Child Welfare League of America. CWLA's COVID-19 page includes a variety of resources, the organization's response to the crisis, and information and guidelines from various state child welfare agencies.
- Council on Social Work Education. CSWE disseminated a statement particularly pertinent for social work students and those in academic roles, with student safety as a primary consideration and allowing reduction of field hours, at the program's discretion. In Kentucky, for instance, social work programs have acted to require that student placements be limited to non-physical contact roles during this crisis.
- National Association of Social Workers. NASW has compiled resources to support social workers during COVID-19. These include items on telehealth, self-care, ethics, and free webinars, among others.
- The Network for Social Work Management. NSWM has put together a Google doc listing COVID-19 resources on social work, policy, nonprofit management, and related topics.
- School Social Work Association of America. SSWAA has a page of COVID-19 resources for school social workers.
- The Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network. SWHPN provides a page of resources for hospice and palliative care professionals during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Other Professional Organizations. Contact affiliated organizations for your specific practice area for guidance and advocacy.
Dr. Erlene Grise-Owens, Ed.D., LCSW, MSW, MRE, is a Partner in The Wellness Group, ETC. Dr. Grise-Owens is lead editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals.
Linda May Grobman, MSW, ACSW, LSW, is the publisher and editor of The New Social Worker magazine and editor of Days in the Lives of Social Workers.
Published: 3/30/20
Last updated: 4/1/20