News

News638110447760878173


This web section shares the latest news, trends, and events relevant to Metro DC Chapter social workers, including press releases, policy and issue statements, professional and licensing updates, training announcements, advocacy action alerts, research updates, and other information.

The Metro DC Chapter is one of 55 chapters of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the largest association of professional social workers in the United States. Our nearly 1,000 members serve all populations, including children, adolescents, families, older adults, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and others. They also serve clients in every DC ward and work setting, as well as in the DC metropolitan area such as Northern Virginia and nearby Maryland.

If you are a member of the media seeking an interview, comment, or answer to questions, please contact Executive Director Debra Riggs, CAE, at driggs.naswdc@socialworkers.org.


NASW and NASW Foundation Partner to Support Vaccine Decision-making by Social Workers, Clients


NASW and the NASW Foundation have partnered with the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute (HBRT) at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work as part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded (CDC) initiative"Connect to End COVID-19”--to support social workers and their clients in informed vaccine decision-making. NASW chapters also are involved.

Watch a one-minute introductory video about the Connect to End COVID-19 initiative:

Or listen to this NASW Social Work Speaks Podcast

Estimated Length: 16-minutes Summary: Learn about Connect to End COVID-19, NASW's national CDC-funded initiative that helps social workers and their clients to make informed decisions about life-saving vaccines, with guest Anna Mangum, NASW's Deputy Director of Programs. Read the transcript here.

The effort seeks to engage the nation’s more than 700,000 social workers in boosting COVID-19 vaccine confidence, uptake, and access, particularly among populations with low vaccination rates and higher vulnerability to severe forms of infection.

The initiative includes an education campaign for social workers on COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness, barriers to vaccination (e.g., misinformation/disinformation, logistical challenges, psychological, etc.), and the role of social workers in promoting vaccination. It also includes trainings for social workers on facts and myths about the vaccines, as well as training in Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT); motivational interviewing; and other evidence-based, culturally competent, public health- and social work-informed methods to help clients process health decisions.

Through reflective listening and other strategies, these methods support and honor the client’s right to make choices about their health, while centering science-based and accurate information.

HBRT also is collaborating with Michigan State University to develop a smartphone mobile application for social workers, which will provide accessible vaccine information, motivational interviewing strategies, screening questions, brief interventions, and effective vaccine messaging for real-time support. In addition, HBRT is partnering with the University of Chicago to develop messaging and evaluation efforts.