Helping People in Special Populations During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The NASW Social Justice Report Implications of Coronavirus (COVID-19) for America’s Vulnerable and Marginalized Populations explains how this pandemic could devastate some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, African Americans, people who are low income, immigrants and prison inmates. The report offers guidance on what lawmakers can do to avoid the crisis.

Here are other resources and information for social workers who are assisting people in special populations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Children

• There Is Help for Kids Impacted by COVID: Social Workers are Part of the Solution
• COVID-19 Resources for School Social Workers
• COVID-19 School Opening Letter of Support for School Social Work
• Adolescents & Young Adults: Parenting During COVID-19
• Parents, Kids & Mental Health During the COVID-19 Crisis
• School Social Work During COVID-19
• Evanston school social worker turns to Facebook Live to connect with students during coronavirus closures
• School districts see unprecedented drop in enrollment during pandemic
• Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
• Supporting Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis
• How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids

Immigrants

• Immigration on the Texas Border, Before and After COVID-19 - NASW Social Work Talks podcast
• Farmworkers Are Among Those at Highest Risk for COVID-19, Studies Show - PBS Frontline
• COVID-19 and Immigrant Workers - AFL-CIO fact sheet

American Indians and Alaska Natives

• FAQs: Federal Response in Indian Country - Indian Health Service (IHS)
• COVID-19 cases listed by IHS area - Indian Health Service (IHS)
• COVID-19 Materials Developed for Tribal Use - Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health

People Who Are Incarcerated

• Addressing COVID-19 and Correctional Facilities: A Social Work Imperative - Social Justice Brief, July 2020
• Correctional Health, Public Health & COVID-19 - National Commission for Correctional Health Care
• Federal Bureau of Prisons COVID-19 Response
• ACLU Demands the Release from Prisons and Jails of Communities Vulnerable to COVID-19

People in Recovery

Many of us know people who are overcoming alcohol use disorders or other addictions. Recovering from an alcohol or other substance use disorder is always difficult, but there are special challenges presented by the current pandemic. Peer support is a critical component for many people in recovery, and regular patterns of meeting attendance and fellowship can be disrupted as the country tries to contain the spread of COVID-19.

People should be aware that support is still out there, and that technology can connect people who are quarantined or practicing social distancing. If you know someone who is working to recover, make sure they know about these resources: 

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Women for Sobriety
• Smart Recovery
• LifeRing
• Addictions Policy Forum Connections app
• Hazelden mobile apps

Source: Responsibility.org