Unified Social Work Voice
OTTAWA - April 27, 2020 - In less than a month, the world has changed dramatically. This extraordinary shift has impacted everyone – some more inequitably, deeply, and directly than others. Yet, with every uncertain step, social workers are supporting individuals, families, communities, and professional colleagues in navigating this new and uncharted journey.
As a unified national voice for Canadian social workers, the Intersectoral Committee represents social work education, regulation, and the professional associations in Canada and we proudly acknowledge, thank, and salute you – our members - for your all too often unheralded service.
We are committed to walking with you on this journey – to advocate for the different resources that you might need to support yourself and others, and to practise ethically and professionally.
Whether you are a member of a healthcare team combatting the immediate COVID-19 threat, a child welfare team member providing child protection, a mental health provider, a social worker coordinating programs and policies to respond to this pandemic, or one of the many other social workers who supports individuals, families, and communities - you are valued and appreciated.
Amid supporting people across all ranges of need, you may also be managing your own pandemic anxieties and experiencing the challenges it has created. Please do take care of yourself, because for us, your family, friends, colleagues, and service users – you are indispensable.
Although it already seems like a lifetime, we have only just begun the COVID-19 journey. As the immediate health crisis gradually subsides, social workers will become even more critical to Canada’s recovery. Social workers will be the backbone of this recovery, right now and throughout the echo of this crisis.
Jan Christianson-Wood, MSW, RSW President,CASW
Stéphane Grenier, PhD, TS President, CASWE-ACFTS
Lise Betteridge, MSW, RSW Vice-President, CCSWR
Canadian Council of Social Work Regulators (CCSWR) represents provincial/territorial social work regulatory authorities in Canada.
The Canadian Association for Social Work Education – L’Association canadienne pour la formation en travail social (CASWE-ACFTS) is a bilingual, Canadian association with a social- justice focus that promotes excellence in social work education, practice and scholarly activities.
The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) is the national professional association. CASW promotes and strengthens the profession, supports its members, and advances issues of social justice
