NASW and the NASW Foundation are partnering with the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute (HBRT) at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded initiative—Connect to End COVID-19—to support social workers and their clients in informed vaccine decision-making. The initiative began in July 2021 and will conclude September 29, 2024.
To more broadly engage the professional social work community in this important initiative, the NASW Foundation is inviting NASW Specialty Practice Section (SPS) members to apply to become Ambassadors and receive a stipend for their work. In 2023, approximately 23 Ambassadors deployed communications to their audiences. In 2024, approximately 15 Ambassadors will participate.
Ambassadors Role
Ambassadors play a vital role in promoting vaccine confidence and uptake and reinforcing the messages of Connect to End COVID-19. They can choose to undertake the following activities:
- Develop and deliver a presentation at an event with more than 50 practicing social workers in attendance; or,
- Develop and publish a blog post or article in a publication read by practicing social workers and develop and deploy five (5) social media messages on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The presentations, blog posts, articles, and social media messages amplify and align with Connect to End COVID-19 messaging. A sampling of their work is included below.
Ambassadors Communications 2023
- Lusnnette Andujar, MSW, LGSW, NASW Minnesota Chapter
The Bilingual Social Workers Could Make a Difference During COVID-19 for Latinx Immigrants in the U.S.
- Yusra Aziz, MSW, LCSW, NASW Pennsylvania Chapter
Addressing Barriers to Vaccine Uptake Among Immigrant/Refugee Communities in Pennsylvania
- Dea Ellen Epley Birtwhistle, LISW, ACSW, SSWS, NASW Iowa Chapter
Connect to End COVID-19: One School Social Worker’s Motivations for Promoting Involvement for Solutions
- Jasmine Cobb, LCSW, NASW Texas Chapter
Breaking Barriers: Setting the Record Straight About COVID-19 Grief and Mental Health
- Miste Peterson Hower, MSSW, LCSW, Texas Chapter
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: How Social Workers Can Support Children and Families
- Lauren Morris, LCSW, ACM, DC and Virginia Chapter
Vaccination Barriers for People Experiencing Homelessness: How Social Workers are Making an Impact
- La’ Tesha Sampson, PhD, MPA, MSW, LCSW, New Jersey Chapter
The Importance of Covid-19 Vaccination: A Guide for Social Workers