NASW-OK Chapter News

These Maryland Social Workers Wrote a Children’s Book to Answer Coronavirus Questions

Mar 23, 2020

Perhaps your kid is asking, “Can I catch coronavirus?” or maybe just “What is coronavirus?” As parents themselves, Maryland social workers Arlen Grad Gaines and Meredith Englander Polsky are encountering the same questions. In response, the co-authors wrote I Have a Question About Coronavirus, a free children’s e-book to help parents maneuver coronavirus-related queries.

Mental healthcare even more important during coronavirus

Mar 18, 2020

NASW-MA Executive Director Rebekah Gerwirtz applauds her state's governor's executive order, which covers "telemental health in such a comprehensive way." Gov. Charlie Baker pruned the regulatory thicket surrounding telehealth because of the coronavirus crisis, but some therapists say the mental healthcare system, which was overburdened before still has barriers that prevent practitioners from adequately responding to needs during an emergency that is exacerbating patients’ existing mental health problems, and causing new stresses.