By Maxine Benitez, Lauren Chagoya, Eileen Ching, Velma Raza-Acuna, and Jessica Varela The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire world in many ways.  Since its beginnings, many individuals have been laid off or have been furloughed, due to businesses shutting down or simply because they are not considered “essential workers” or “frontline workers.” Throughout the pandemic, we have heard conversations ... Read More »

Note: Although Social Worker Lilian Espinoza, LCSW, ACHP-SW, the Assistant Director of the Inpatient Palliative Care Medicine Consultation Service at Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens contracted the novel coronavirus in March and it took her a month to recover, she went right back to work. Here is her story: By Lilian Espinoza, LCSW, ACHP-SW Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our Palliative ... Read More »

NASW member shares her story of working on the front lines By Gabrielle Winther, LCSW I have been a social worker for 10 years, I have worked in hospice, oncology and currently palliative care. When I started my new position as a clinical social worker in August 2019 in a small community hospital in Hunterdon County, N.J. I never imagined ... Read More »

By Donzell Lampkins, MSW, LISW Social workers are addressing the Coronavirus pandemic on multiple fronts—as they should since helping during a crisis of this magnitude is part of the social worker’s code of ethics. The NASW Code of Ethics states, “Social workers should provide appropriate professional services in public emergencies to the greatest extent possible.” Some social workers are working ... Read More »

Social workers tell us how they’re helping others By Aliah D. Wright Across the nation and around the world, social workers are continuing to help clients—despite great risk the pandemic poses to themselves and their families. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) posed the question: Are you on the front lines helping people? Please share your stories. Here’s how ... Read More »

The positive implications of social media influencers on students’ belief systems and mental health By Martha Rodriguez, LCSW Service Manager Recovery, Broward County, Fla. Public Schools “Men do not cry” Quite often our youth are afraid to show they are struggling. Especially young men who continuously must follow and hold up certain standards. More often than not, young men are ... Read More »

As telehealth becomes more key during COVID-19, so does the need for ethics and technology education. Below is a list of relevant webinars that NASW has made free for our members. Ethics and Integrated Health Care Faculty-Student Ethics Round Table New Practice Standards on Social Work and Technology: A Situation-Based Discussion on Best Practices? Official National Training on the Revisions ... Read More »

By  Harleny Vasquez, MSW Burnout is a common word thrown around in the field of social work, but have you ever taken the time to recognize the signs or symptoms that you may be experiencing exhaustion? Such indications can be a serious sign that your body telling you to slow down. Social workers are constantly faced with the challenges of ... Read More »

By Dina Kastner On Thursday, September 19, staff from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), attended an oversight hearing on implementation of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Held by the House Education and Labor, Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee, the hearing was presided over by its chair, Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-Calif.), who is also a social ... Read More »

By NASW Director Public Policy Sarah Christa Butts, LMSW Given the social work professions’ values and primary mission to enhance human wellbeing and help meet basic human needs, especially of people who are vulnerable and living in poverty, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) strongly opposes rule changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would eliminate benefits for ... Read More »