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Simmons University to Host Virtual Roundtable on Social Work Education and Practice: Responding to COVID-19

Virtual panel discussion will offer social work educators tips for utilizing digital resources to enhance teaching and practice during the ongoing coronavirus crisis

Simmons University’s Center for Innovation in Behavioral Health and Education (CIBER) recently announced that it will host a virtual roundtable on Social Work Education and Practice: Responding to COVID-19.

The roundtable will feature a panel discussion with social work experts who will discuss strategies to enhance teaching and practice in a digital environment as the nation works to respond to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The event, which takes place on Wednesday, March 25th from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, will provide a forum for practitioners and others to share ideas and build a community of innovation and online best practices.

The virtual roundtable features the following:

• Dr. Stephanie Berzin, dean of Simmons University’s College of Social Sciences, Policy and Practice who also coleads the Grand Challenge for Social Work, Harnessing Technology for Social Good;

• Dr. Nancy Smyth, dean of the University of Buffalo who has been a leading advocate for expanding social work’s online presence;

• Dr. Melinda Gushwa, associate director of CIBER and the director of Simmons’ School of Social Work, who has been teaching online for a decade;

• Leah Hart Tennen, associate program director for Simmons’ School of Social Work MSW program, who also designs and teaches online courses; and

• Mike Langlois, a visiting scholar with CIBER and a teaching associate in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School who is a clinical social worker and an early adopter of technology to enhance his clinical practice and teaching.

“Social workers have a critical role to play during this crisis, and the social distancing measures in place make it even more imperative that practitioners are able to serve patients in a virtual environment,” Berzin says. “We know that this crisis is leading to increased anxiety and behavioral health challenges, and this virtual roundtable is designed to give practitioners and educators useful tips and tools they can use to navigate the digital space and help patients.”

CIBER aims to be an epicenter of innovation, education, training, and research in behavioral health and substance use—serving as a crucial resource for students, faculty, practitioners, community partners, social services agencies, researchers, and others.

Individuals who would like to register for the roundtable can join via Zoom:

https://simmons.zoom.us/j/224481900

Meeting ID: 224 481 900

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Find your local number: https://simmons.zoom.us/u/ac7odtR3Mm

Meeting ID: 224 481 900

Source: Simmons University