[Audio] As COVID-19 Spreads, Iowans Highlight Critical Role ACA and Medicaid Expansion Plays in Response to Public Health Crisis
Soundcloud
Progress Iowa and Protect Our Care Iowa were joined by Iowa Senator Claire Celsi, Denise Rathman, the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers Iowa Chapter, and Mary Horsman, a respiratory therapist from Des Moines, on a press call to discuss the critical role Medicaid is playing in Iowa’s response to COVID-19. In Iowa, Medicaid expansion granted coverage to more than 150,000 people, including children, seniors, and Iowans with disabilities, and with more than three million workers out of work due the pandemic, it is especially important for low-income adults to have a place to turn for coverage in this public health emergency.

Coronavirus in Massachusetts: Lawmakers, advocates press for more aid for children, disabled and older residents
Mass Live
“The calls we are receiving from families every day are heartbreaking,” said Sarah Coughlin, board president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Coughlin argued the bill could be a “small step to mitigate the harsh consequences” of the virus, including children left hungry and families unable to pay bills to maintain online access, jeopardizing both online learning and health care.

Commentary: Chicago Forward — For teens, isolation during the pandemic can trigger mental health issues
Chicago Tribune
Communities United, a Chicago grassroots organization, partners with the National Association of Social Workers-Illinois and other mental health providers. CU’s program helps disconnected young people of color heal from the emotional trauma of living amid poverty and violence by taking action on issues of inequity through advocacy and organizing. CU knows from its work that young people are especially vulnerable during this time of crisis. And we know that when young people take positive action, it empowers them. And empowerment is what helps to heal trauma.

Social Isolation During Pandemic Strains Social Work
The Greenville Sun (TN)
PCAT social workers regularly visit a roster of about 400 families each year across Tennessee. The visiting staff members serve as advocates for families with children who need extra services and work directly with parents on developing nurturing relationships — helping parents make homemade toys with their children, read to them and understand their developmental needs, Davis said.

Social Workers at NYC Hospital Fight to Work From Home Amid Coronavirus
Cheddar
As New York City public hospitals struggle to meet the demands of the coronavirus pandemic while still protecting their own employees, one group of healthcare professionals is trying to make the case that they would be safer working from home. Social workers at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn are urging hospital administrators to let them work from home but say they are coming up against a company line that maintains every health care worker needs to do their part and show up in person, whether their job demands it or not.

California to spend extra $42 million to help foster youth during pandemic
Cal Matters
California will steer $42 million toward helping tens of thousands of foster youth as stay-at-home orders have drastically reduced contact and services for some of the state’s “most vulnerable” children, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in his daily update. The bulk of the money will manifest as $200 monthly payments to families with “at risk” children, with additional funds set to help buy protective gear for social workers and computers for children, among other things.

Tulane School of Social Work seeking public input on two COVID-19 surveys
Tulane News
The Tulane School of Social Work has launched two online surveys to study behavioral health and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and is asking the public to participate. “Research on the COVID-19 pandemic focused on psychosocial health is imperative to understand the impact on the well-being of our community,” said Patrick Bordnick, dean of Tulane School of Social Work. “These two surveys will support future research, allowing us to implement effective strategies and create change that benefits everyone.”

Craig Knippenberg is a member:
Craig Knippenberg, LCSW, M.Div. and His Staff of Seven Mental Health Therapists Donate Time to Launch Free Facebook Live Sessions Supporting Parents During Coronavirus
Yahoo!
Craig Knippenberg, LCSW, M.Div., a Denver-based mental health counselor with four decades of experience working with children and families, announced today he and his staff of seven mental health therapists, all donated their time to launch free, open-to-the public interactive discussions via Facebook Live. These twice weekly sessions are open to parents worldwide.

Marlina Schetting is a member:
How has the pandemic changed hospice care?
New Jersey Herald
Marlina Schetting, MSW, LCSW, CT is the chief operating officer at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Q. What is Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice doing differently during this COVID-19 pandemic? A. This is such a difficult time for everyone in the community, especially those in the field of health care. Our mission at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, since its beginning, has been to not turn anyone away based on their ability to pay. Though never verbalized, but understood, is the philosophy that we, as a hospice, accept anyone facing a life-limiting illness, including those with COVID-19.

Stacey Henson is a member:
Coronavirus: Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department sees increase in overdose calls
Action News Jacksonville
Moriarty also spoke with Stacey Henson. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker of 25 years. Henson works for Advanced Recovery Systems. “I think peoples coping skills are really being tested,” Henson said. She offered some tips for people who may not want to go to a meeting. “Going back to the basics,” Henson said. “I’ve heard a lot of people in recovery, and they pulled out some of their old AA books; reworking the steps if that’s helpful.”

Amber May is a member:
‘Outsourced’ amid coronavirus: How to take care of health, safety in quarantine when home may not be safe
OU Daily
In January 2019, The Daily began “Outsourced” — a column discussing health and relationships, featuring advice and resources from OU’s Gender + Equality Center, Goddard Health Center and more. In light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected all communities in varying emotional, mental and physical ways, The Daily has decided to bring back “Outsourced” with advice from professionals and community leaders about staying safe and healthy while living in quarantine. For this column, The Daily asked Amber May, a licensed clinical social worker and OU Advocates case manager for the Gender + Equality Center, to write about safety and self-care when home may not be safe.

Kimberly Foster is a member:
Social worker: COVID-19 pandemic increasing mental health concerns
Morris Herald-News
All of these feelings can be overwhelming, said Kimberly Foster, a licensed clinical social worker for Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers. Foster says she is seeing signs of increased generalized anxiety and depression during the coronavirus crisis. “When your mind makes that switch from living to survival,” Foster said, “it can put you in a crisis mode. You’re worried, you’re obsessed about the safety of yourself and your family, you’re concerned about financial security … and those apprehensions can become triggers for mental health issues.”

Leah Kaizer is a member:
In the era of COVID-19, therapy moves online
Berkeleyside
“It has been a mixed experience,” said Leah Kaizer, a Berkeley licensed clinical social worker with a practice in Oakland. After more than 30 years of seeing clients in person, Kaizer now meets with them on phone calls or in video conferences. Kaizer is a digital novice – she only recently started to use email with her clients. Yet despite some initial reluctance, she said her clients have readily adapted to the virtual therapy.

Sarah Brownlee is a member:
Managing depression amid chronic illness
Star News Online
Psychotherapist Sarah Brownlee is a licensed clinical social worker at Balance Integrative Care, PLLC, a counseling practice that offers clients support in managing acute and chronic pain, long-term health concerns and related emotional and psychological symptoms. Brownlee, also a part of The Healing Partnership, a group of practitioners offering support to individuals facing cancer, chronic illness and chronic pain, said the majority of people who experience some type of chronic illness also have some kind of emotional response to their chronic illness; however, some may develop symptoms of anxiety and depression qualifying for clinical diagnosis.