Connect to End COVID-19 Toolkits

Myths & Facts

Every day more people are becoming vaccinated. But there are many others who have not yet received vaccinations, despite the demonstrated safety of the vaccines and their high degree of effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death.

As part of the NASW 2021 Virtual Forum: Reimagining Social Work In Health, a free webinar COVID-19 Vaccination through a Social Work Lens: Myths and Facts was held Nov. 9, 2021.

The webinar was available on demand, free of charge through August 31, 2024, and included free CEs at the Social Work Online CE Institute. Learn more about the vaccines, including myths and facts, and special considerations for social workers. Summary excerpts from the webinar and webinar presentations are included below.

COVID-19 Facts

• Anyone can contract COVID-19. We don’t know how COVID-19 will affect each person.
• Certain populations are at greater risk of severe illness and/or death. Among others, these include:
• Adults 65+
• People with underlying medical conditions
• People with mental health disorders and/or substance use disorders
• People who are unhoused
• People who are African American, Hispanic or Indigenous
• LGBTQ people
• Socially and/or economically vulnerable people

• Some people develop long-term COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., Long COVID), which can result in prolonged disruptions in health and even long-term disability.
• COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be highly effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and/or death.
• Vaccinated people are eight (8) times less likely to be infected and 25 times less likely to experience hospitalization or death.
• COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Serious side effects that could cause long-term health problems are extremely unlikely following any vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support approval or authorization of a vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and vaccine safety experts quickly assess unexpected adverse events to guide vaccine recommendations.

Myths & Facts Questions and Answers >>

Special Populations

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic began, in early 2020, marginalized and vulnerable populations have been especially, adversely, impacted. NASW’s Connect to End COVID-19 initiative was launched in 2021 to provide equitable training and outreach that promote informed vaccine decision-making on the part of social workers and their clients, particularly among those who are vulnerable, marginalized, and/or vaccine hesitant.

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Connect to End COVID-19: Role of NASW and Its Chapters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines vaccine confidence as the belief that vaccines work, are safe, and are part of a trustworthy medical system. NASW and its Chapters have worked (2021-2024) to increase vaccine confidence and vaccine uptake through training, communications, and outreach strategies that include, but are not limited to:

• offering complimentary NASW National webinars and CEUs;
• offering complimentary NASW Chapter-based trainings and CEUs on Motivational interviewing (MI) and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Therapy (SBIRT) that promote informed vaccine decision-making on the part of social workers and their clients;
• organizing and collaborating with local community vaccine ambassadors; and,
• partnering with local agency/organization for social workers to attend national webinars and chapter workshop training program.

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Special Populations: Barriers and Solutions

1. Persons Experiencing Homelessness
   Barrier: access to vaccine in traditional setting (clinic, pharmacy).
   Potential Solution: vaccine education and drive at shelters, day programs, food service locations or encampments.
2. Persons with Disabilities
   Barrier: online appointment scheduling and care site navigation.
   Potential Solution: collaboration with Area Agencies on Aging, Meals on Wheels, etc.
3. Incarcerated, Detained, and Justice-Involved Individuals
   Barrier: congregative living settings.
   Potential Solution: prioritization by state to provide COVID-19 vaccine to prisons and jails.
4. Immigrants
   Barrier: language/literacy challenges, limited transportation, fear of immigration-related consequences.
   Potential Solution: language specific outreach, walk-in testing sites.
5. Minority Populations
   Barrier: racism, distrust of medical system.
   Potential Solution: trusted champion; partnering with YMCA, barbershops, salons, local nonprofit; and, mixed media messaging.

NASW Resources:

• Helping People in Special Populations During the Coronavirus Pandemic

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Resources:

• Vaccinate with Confidence: Strategy to Reinforce Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines
• How to Tailor COVID-19 Vaccine Information to Your Specific Audience
• National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM) Vaccine Central
• Toolkit for People with Disabilities

MI-SBIRT

Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) are evidence-based models for supporting clients in making informed decisions about their health. These evidence-based modalities can be effectively deployed to help guide collaborative conversations with clients about COVID-19 vaccine decision-making.

Connect to End COVID-19: Informed Vaccine Decision-Making

In a complimentary NASW webinar held on January 12, 2022, participants learned how to apply MI and SBIRT frameworks to help clients with their decision-making around COVID-19 vaccination. That webinar was available for self-study, on demand, with complimentary CEUs from the NASW Social Work Online CE Institute through August 31, 2024.

The webinar is part of NASW’s Connect to End COVID-19 initiative—a partnership (2021-2024) between NASW, the NASW Foundation and the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute (HBRT) at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2022, 2023, and 2024, NASW and 30 of its state chapters, and HBRT hosted 27 MI and SBIRT trainings across the United States, in states with low vaccination rates and high levels of vaccine hesitancy. These interactive trainings, led by HBRT trainers, introduced MI and SBIRT, and how these evidence-based modalities can be effectively deployed to help guide collaborative conversations with clients about COVID-19 vaccine decision-making. The complimentary six-hour (one-day) trainings, included five complimentary CEUs for currently practicing, licensed NASW social work members. The NASW Chapters that provided trainings in 2022-2023 include: AL, AR, CA, DC, FL, GA, IA, IN, KY, LA, MI, MT, MO, MS, ND, NYS, NV, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV. Trainings were held in 2024, the final year of the grant, for the following NASW Chapters: MD, ME, NH, VT, and PA.

Through Connect to End COVID-19, NASW and HBRT also created a Mobile Application (Mobile APP) to provide social workers with MI strategies, SBIRT screening questions, and vaccine information (information about the APP below). 

Leading the University of Texas at Austin team are Mary Velasquez, PhD, Professor and HBRT Director; Kirk von Sternberg, PhD, Associate Professor and HBRT Associate Director; Lloyd Berg, PhD, Associate Professor and Division Chief of Psychology at UT-Austin’s Dell Medical School; and Diana Ling, HBRT Senior Program Manager.

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Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative conversation style that develops and strengthens a client’s motivation for and commitment to change. It has a strong evidence base in healthcare and focuses on the client’s strengths and capacity for change. In alignment with social work ethics and standards, MI supports and honors the patient’s capacity for, and right to, self-determination and agency.

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Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to the delivery of early intervention around substance use disorders that is used in professional and community settings nationwide. It is grounded in MI principles and is meant to be a brief dialogue that takes about 10 minutes. In dialogues about vaccination, SBIRT provides clients the opportunity to explore what is best for them, and for providers to support their client’s decision.

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SBIRT/MI for Vaccines APPS: Empowering Social Workers for Informed Vaccine Decision-Making

SBIRT/MI for Vaccines is a set of two web-based apps designed to equip social workers with essential tools for navigating vaccine conversations with clients. The apps offer evidence-based strategies and resources for helping clients make informed vaccine decisions.

SBIRT/MI for Vaccines was developed in collaboration between NASW, the NASW Foundation, the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, and Michigan State University, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Features for the apps Include the following tools and information:

• Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Guide: Get step-by-step scripts for our SBIRT model tailored for vaccine conversations, including a video demonstration of each step.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) Toolkit: Learn core skills to help clients explore any concerns about vaccination while empowering them to make informed choices.

Ready to make a difference? Visit SBIRT/MI for Vaccines to get support for promoting vaccine confidence, access, and uptake. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Kirk von Sternberg at vonsternberg@mail.utexas.edu.

SBIRT/MI for Vaccines Apps:

• SBIRT APP
• MI APP

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Learn More

• COVID-19 Vaccines Through a Social Work Lens: Supporting Informed Client Vaccine Decision Making Through MI and SBIRT - Free NASW webinar available for self-study on demand through August 31, 2024, with free CEUs from the Social Work Online CE Institute
• COVID-19 Vaccines Through a Social Work Lens: Supporting Informed Client Vaccine Decision Making Through MI and SBIRT Webinar materials:
  • Covid-19 Vaccination Through a Social Work Lens: Motivational Interviewing and SBIRT, Anna Mangum, MSW, MPH
  • Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) – Adapted for COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations, Leslie Sirrianni, LCSW-S
  • Motivational Interviewing for Brief Conversations about COVID-19 Vaccination, Stéphanie Wahab, PhD, MSW
• Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Training

A centerpiece of the Connect to End COVID-19 initiative is providing accurate information to social workers about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccine safety and effectiveness, barriers to vaccination (e.g., mis/disinformation, logistical challenges, psychosocial and social care considerations, etc.), and the role of social workers in supporting clients in informed decision making regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

Key to the initiative are national, interactive trainings on the use of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and other evidence-based, culturally competent, public health and social work informed frameworks for helping clients process decisions regarding their health. A primary focus is on populations with low vaccination rates and greater vulnerability to severe forms of infection.

Past Webinars: Register For Complimentary Self-Study

Complimentary Webinars Offered Through August 31, 2024

COVID-19 Year 5: Are We Prepared for the Next Pandemic?

May 8, 2024, 1:00 PM-2:30 PM (EST) – 1.5 CEUs

Free fireside chat was held with acclaimed epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm, author of the upcoming book The Big One: How to Prepare for World-Altering Pandemics to Come.

As we enter the fifth year of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed more than 1.1 million American lives to date (most of them unvaccinated), social workers are understandably eager to put this public health crisis in the rearview mirror. But as experts on the traumatic impacts of these disasters, and the complex psychosocial and related factors in disaster response, social workers have a unique professional obligation to consider: How can we best prepare for the next pandemic?

Dr. Osterholm, founding Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy and advisor to the Biden Administration on COVID-19 response, discussed lessons learned from current and prior pandemics, and the hard truths about what it will take to prevent a catastrophe worse than COVID-19. Importantly, he discussed the crucial leadership role of social workers in pandemic preparedness and response. What do these trends this mean for our preparedness—as a profession and as a society—for the next pandemic? How can social workers continue to play a leadership role in preventing further harms and losses due to COVID-19?

Learning Objectives:

• Provide an update on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, now in Year 5; 
• Discuss the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for preparedness for the next pandemic; and,
• Identify opportunities for leadership and action by micro-, mezzo- and macro-level social workers.

Speakers:

• Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota
• Anna C. Mangum, MSW, MPH, Senior Health Strategist, with the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute at the University of Texas/Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work
• Moderator: Gwen Bouie-Haynes, PhD, LMSW, Connect to End COVID-19, Special Populations Coordinator

This project and webinar presentation are supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $3.3 million with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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Mental Health of Social Workers during COVID-19: Best Practices for Future Pandemics

November 29, 1:00-2:30 PM (EST) – 1.5 CEUs

It is well established that secondary traumatic stress (STS) is an occupational hazard of social work practice with traumatized populations. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges for social workers that increased their risk of STS and other mental health issues. Throughout practice settings, they have often encountered stressful situations, including challenging conversations with clients about vaccine hesitancy. This webinar introduced attendees to the constructs of, risk and protective factors for, and interactions between, STS, moral distress, and shared trauma. In addition, participants were introduced to guiding principles for individual professionals, as well as the organizations within which they work, to reduce the occurrence and impact of STS.

Speakers:

• Brian E. Bride, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.P.H., Distinguished University Professor in the School of Social Work at Georgia State University
• Barbara Bedney, PhD, MSW, NASW Chief of Programs, and Connect to End COVID-19 Principal Investigator
• Moderator: Gwen Bouie-Haynes, PhD, LMSW, Connect to End COVID-19, Special Populations Coordinator

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Extreme Inequities in Maternal Care: The Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Health Outcomes

August 16, 2023, 1:00-2:30 PM (EST) – 1.5 Complimentary CEUs

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, inequities in maternal health outcomes were a result of a variety of systemic, social, and community factors. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated those glaring inequities. Three years after the height of the pandemic, communities, specifically Black women continue to feel the impact of the pandemic, compounded with the systemic, social, and community factors. As maternal health outcomes are addressed, the COVID-19 impact must be included in the discussion.

Learning objectives:

To describe the early COVID-19 data, guidelines, and information from the PRIORITY Study and workshop presenter’s role on the CERISH Community Advisory Board.

• To understand the intersection between COVID-19 during pregnancy and mental health, lack of resources, and lack of access to necessary health service.
• To identify a pathway forward to addressing inequities and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify strategies for vaccine confidence among pregnant women from a community-based perspective.

Speakers:

• Dr. Nakeitra Burse, Owner / Principal Strategist, Six Dimensions, LLC
• Barbara Bedney, PhD, MSW, NASW Chief of Programs, and Connect to End COVID-19 Principal Investigator
• Moderator: Gwen Bouie-Haynes, PhD, LMSW, Connect to End COVID-19, Special Populations Coordinator

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COVID-19: New Vaccines, Updated Boosters, and Living with a (Controlled) Pandemic

September 29, 2022 - 1.5 Complimentary CEUs

Interactive webinar, offered through NASW’s Connect to End COVID-19 initiative, included the following discussion and topics:

• New COVID-19 vaccines
• Updated booster formulations
• What we’re learning about Long COVID
• Living with a controlled (versus an urgent) pandemic
• Special considerations for mental and behavioral health providers
• Constructively navigating uncertainty

Speakers:

• Mona Gahunia, D.O., Associate Medical Director, Operational Excellence, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (MAPMG)
• Anna C. Mangum, MSW, MPH, Senior Policy and Practice Consultant

Webinar materials include:

• COVID-19: New Vaccines, Boosters and Living With a (Controlled) Pandemic

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What’s Next in the Pandemic, Through a Social Work Lens

February 24, 2022 - 1.5 Complimentary CEUS

During this webinar, participants heard from social work and infectious disease experts about the evolving COVID-19 landscape, what’s on the horizon, and how social workers can continue to play a role in vaccine uptake, especially among special populations. This was the third in a three-part series offered through the Connect to End COVID-19 initiative in which NASW partnered with the University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work.

Speakers:

• Mona K. Gahunia, D.O., Associate Medical Director, Infectious Diseases/Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
• Anna Mangum, MSW, MPH, Deputy Director of Programs, National Association of Social Workers
• Angelo McClain, PhD, LICSW, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Social Workers

Webinar materials include:

• COVID-19 Update for NASW, Mona K. Gahunia, D.O., Associate Medical Director, Infectious Diseases/Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
• COVID-19 Vaccination Through a Social Work Lens: Current Landscape and Special Populations, Anna Mangum, MSW, MPH

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COVID-19 Vaccines Through a Social Work Lens: Supporting Informed Client Vaccine Decision Making Through Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

January 12, 2022 – 2 Clinical Complimentary CEUs

At this interactive event, participants learned how to apply MI and SBIRT frameworks in supporting clients in their decision making around the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. The complimentary webinar and CEUs were available for self-study through August 31, 2024.

This webinar was the second in a series of three webinars that were part of NASW’s Connect to End COVID-19 initiative, undertaken in partnership with The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Speakers:

• Angelo McClain, PhD, LICSW – CEO, National Association of Social Workers
• Anna Mangum, MSW, MPH – Deputy Director of Programs, National Association of Social Workers
• Leslie Sirrianni, LCSW-S – Senior Research Program and Training Coordinator, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
• Stéphanie Wahab, PhD, MSW – Professor, School of Social Work, Portland State University

Webinar materials include:

• Covid-19 Vaccination Through a Social Work Lens: Motivational Interviewing and SBIRT, Anna Mangum, MSW, MPH
• Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) – Adapted for COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations, Leslie Sirrianni, LCSW-S
• Motivational Interviewing for Brief Conversations about COVID-19 Vaccination, Stéphanie Wahab, PhD, MSW

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COVID-19 Vaccination Through the Social Work Lens: Myths and Facts

November 9, 2021 – 1.5 Complimentary CEUs

As part of the NASW 2021 Virtual Forum: Reimagining Social Work In Health, a complimentary webinar, COVID-19 Vaccination through a Social Work Lens: Myths and Facts, was offered. The complimentary webinar and CEUs were available for self-study through August 31, 2024.

Millions of people continue to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. However, there are many others who have not been vaccinated, despite the demonstrated safety of the vaccines and their high degree of effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death. At this webinar, participants learned more about the vaccines, including myths and facts, and special considerations for social workers.

Webinar materials include:

• COVID-19 Vaccination Through a Social Work Lens: Myths and Facts, Anna Mangum, MSW, MPH, NASW Deputy Director, Programs and Lee Westgate, MBA, MSW, LCSW-C, NASW Manager of Policy and Advocacy
• COVID-19 Vaccines by Mona K. Gahunia, D.O., Associate Medical Director, Infectious Diseases/Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente

CDC Resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a wide array of information and resources that are beneficial to social workers who are working to enhance COVID-19 vaccine confidence and support clients in informed vaccine decision-making.

Data and Trends

• COVID Data Tracker
• Respiratory Virus Activity Levels
• COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review
• COVID-19 Can Surge Throughout the Year
• CDC GISVaxView: Geospatial Vaccination Information

Vaccine Confidence

• COVID-19 Vaccines
• CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance
• Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines
• 12 COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies for Your Community
• CDC Implementation Update on 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccines
• Getting a Flu Vaccine and a COVID-19 Vaccine at the Same Time
• CDC Streamlines COVID-19 Guidance To help the Public Better Protect Themselves and Understand Their Risk
• CDC’s BridgeAccess Program
• COVID-19 Vaccine Handling Toolkit
• Stay Up toDate with COVID-19 Vaccines
• COVID-19 ACIPVaccine Recommendations
• U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information
• Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

• CDC ACIP News and Information
• Older Adults Now Able to Receive Additional Dose of Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
• Understanding the ACIP and How Vaccine Recommendations are Made in the US (Video)

Addressing Misinformation/Disinformation

• How to Address COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation
• State of Vaccine Confidence Insights Reports
• A Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation - Office of the U.S. Surgeon General 2021

Health Care Providers

• Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccinations Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States
• Talking with Patients About COVID-19 Vaccination

Special Populations

• How to Tailor COVID-19 Vaccine Information to Your Specific Audience
• COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People to Prevent Serious Illness, Deaths, and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes from COVID-19
• National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM) Vaccine Central
• Toolkit for People with Disabilities

Health Equity

• Partnering for Vaccine Equity: Vaccine Resource Hub

HHS Resources

• HHS Issues Advisory on Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions Related to Long COVID
• July 13, 2023, CDC to Launch “Bridge Access Program” in Fall 2023 to Provide Free COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments to Uninsured and Underinsured Adults
• HHS/CDC Bridge Access Program for COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments for the Uninsured: Program Overview
• HHS Bridge Access Program for COVID Vaccines and Treatment for the Uninsured: Summary Talking Points
• April 26, 2023, CMS Fact Sheet: What Do I Need to Know? CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency - PDF
• April 26, 2023, CMS Frequently Asked Questions on CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the End of the COVID-19 PHE - PDF
• April 18, 2023, Fact Sheet: HHS Announces ‘HHS Bridge Access Program For COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments’ to Maintain Access to COVID-19 Care for the Uninsured
• April 14, 2023, Fact Sheet: HHS Announces Intent to Amend the Declaration Under the PREP Act for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID-19
• April 14, 2023, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s Letter to US Governors on Intent to Amend the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act)
• March 7, 2023, Letter to US governors from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra thanking governors for your efforts over the last three years during the coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) pandemic
• February 27, 2023, CMS Fact Sheet: CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• February 9, 2023, Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap
• February 9, 2023, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s Letter to US Governors on the End of the COVID PHE
• HHS Vaccination Weeks of Action Social Media Toolkit
• HHS COVID-19 Public Education Campaign

Other Resources

• Reducing Vaccine Hesitancy for People Living With Disabilities - ASTHO
• Resources to Support Vaccine Readiness in Your Community - Vaccine Equity Cooperative
• Evidence Review of the Adverse Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination – National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
• Championing Change: A Toolkit for Addressing Vaccine Equity Through Community Mobilization

Visibility

When is the best time to post on Social Media? Nights and weekends are often the best times to gain attention for social work content— probably because many social workers are working during the day— so don't be shy about posting and sharing updates throughout the day.

Focus on posting at lunchtime, after work, and on Saturdays and Sundays on Facebook. You can duplicate stories and share on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, altering them for length of message for each platform.

If you want to gain extra visibility, use videos, GIFs, images, and graphics that you can create with Canva or other image-making services. Make your content stand out.

Be sure to include @nasw on Twitter. Tag @naswsocialworkers on Facebook and tag @naswsocialworkers on Instagram. Tag @naswsocialwokers1 on TikTok. Remember to tag influencers, your friends, and colleagues, too!

Facebook & Instagram

Sample Facebook and Instagram Posts

• Stay up to date on #COVID19 vaccinations and boosters. Safe and effective, COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Visit @CDC – https://bit.ly/3m6P9Zi – to arm yourself with the facts. Learn more about NASW’s CDC-funded National campaign to promote informed COVID-19 vaccine decision-making: https://bit.ly/3nHhllU. Complementary trainings and CEUs available. @TexasSteveHicks @NASW @NASWFoundation
• Are you current with your #COVID19 vaccinations? Get up to date information @CDC https://bit.ly/3m6P9Zi and find vaccination locations near you https://www.vaccines.gov/. Join the @NASW national Connect to End COVID-19 initiative today! Learn more: https://bit.ly/3wokatW.
• According to @CDC older adults are more likely to get very sick from #COVID19. The updated COVID-19 booster provides added protection, preventing severe illness or hospitalization: https://bit.ly/3LeF46t. Join the @NASW Connect to End COVID-19 initiative: https://bit.ly/3wokatW.
• Hear the latest on #COVID19 and earn complimentary CEUS with the #NASW self-study webinar, COVID-19: New Vaccines, Updated Boosters, and Living w/a (Controlled) Pandemic. Available as part of NASW’s Connect to End COVID-19 Campaign. Register today and earn complimentary CEUs: https://buff.ly/3VjCr4J. @CDCgov
• NASW and NASW Foundation are partnering with the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded initiative to support social workers and their clients in informed COVID-19 vaccine decision-making. Register today: https://buff.ly/3VjCr4J for four complimentary, self-study webinars and CEUs: COVID-19 myths and facts; Motivational Interviewing; Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment; working with populations with low vaccination rates and greater vulnerability to severe forms of infection; and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Connect to End COVID-19: https://bit.ly/3nHhllU.
• Register for four complimentary, self-study webinars, and CEUs as part of NASW’s national Connect to End COVID-19 initiative: #COVID19 myths and facts; Motivational Interviewing; Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment; working with populations with low vaccination rates and greater vulnerability to severe forms of infection; and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Register today https://buff.ly/3VjCr4J and Connect to End COVID-19 https://bit.ly/3nHhllU.

Twitter

Sample Twitter Posts

• According to @CDC older adults are more likely to get very sick from #COVID19. The updated COVID-19 booster provides added protection, preventing severe illness or hospitalization: https://bit.ly/3LeF46t. Join the @NASW Connect to End COVID-19 initiative: https://bit.ly/3wokatW
• Are you current with your #COVID19 vaccinations? Get up to date information @CDC https://bit.ly/3m6P9Zi and find vaccination locations near you https://www.vaccines.gov/. Join the @NASW national Connect to End COVID-19 initiative today! Learn more: https://bit.ly/3wokatW
• Safe and effective, COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, death. Visit @CDC – https://bit.ly/3m6P9Zi to arm yourself with the facts. Learn about NASW’s campaign to promote vaccine confidence: https://bit.ly/3nHhllU @NASW @NASWFoundation
• Hear the latest on #COVID19 and earn complimentary CEUS with the #NASW self-study webinar, COVID-19: New Vaccines, Updated Boosters, and Living w/a (Controlled) Pandemic. Available as part of NASW’s Connect to End COVID-19 Campaign. Register today: https://buff.ly/3VjCr4J @CDCgov
• Join the @NASW Connect to End COVID-19 initiative today! Learn more: https://bit.ly/3wokatW about training, tools and information that promote vaccine confidence among social workers and equip social workers to support clients in informed vaccine decision-making. #COVID19

Tools and Tips

Tiktok

Consider posting on TikTok at least once or twice a week. On TikTok, make sure you are looking directly into the camera. Videos people enjoy the most on NASW’s page have been the ones where social workers are talking or engaging with the audience and use more trendy topics and music.

Linkedin

Because LinkedIn is a more professional (business) platform, you'll want to craft your messages appropriately. Network with other social workers. Share research and facts.

Useful Tips

Images: Please share only images that you have permission to post on social media; and, make sure you add useful alternative text to images to make them accessible to people with disabilities.

Alternative Text: Alternative text (aka "alt text") is an important tool for increasing the accessibility of images and for improving the overall user experience of your online content. Follow this link to learn more.