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.
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.
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.
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:
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