Image courtesy of the Veterans Administration.
The National Association of Social Workers recognizes Veterans Day. We congratulate the brave men and women in our armed services and veterans.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employs more than 12,000 social workers. In fact, the VA is the largest employer of social workers with a master’s degree.
Social workers provide support to the military, veterans and their families, helping them get financial and housing assistance, apply for benefits, get the best possible health care, or resolve marital or family issues.
Here are NASW resources to help social workers better serve this population:
Joining Forces: Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, and First Lady Michelle Obama launched this initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give service members and their families opportunities and services. NASW has been a member since 2011.
NASW Professional Social Work Credentials and Advanced Practice Specialty Credentials: NASW offers several credentials for social workers who work with the military and their families.
NASW Standards for Social Work Practice with Service Members, Veterans and Their Families
Give an Hour: NASW is a sponsor of this initiative, which provides free mental health services to military personnel and their families.
Help Starts Here: This NASW Consumer website includes a section on how social workers help service members and their families overcome challenges, including PTSD, grief and reintegrating back into civilian society after serving the nation.
Find a Social Worker: Use this resource to help service members, veterans and their families find local social workers.
NASW 1,000 Experts Campaign: NASW has experts available who can speak in public about issues affecting service members or respond to media requests on these issues.
Enhancing the Well-Being of America’s Veterans and Their Families: A Call to Action for National Veterans Policy: This 2013 report emerged from a symposium hosted by the NASW Foundation’s Social Work Policy Institute in collaboration with the University of Southern California School of Social Work and USC Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families.
Veterans Administration video on how social workers help veterans who are homeless
For more information contact media@naswdc.org.
