Poster #16

Addressing Trauma Through Field Education: A Coordinated Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

By: Ananda Rosa, Alishia Ferguson and Adrienne Scott

Abstract:

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has created a Specialized Practice Curricular Guide for Trauma Informed Social Work Practice as part of the 2015 EPAS Curricular Guide Resource Series. The guide states that, "Trauma-informed social work education aims to repare students through research and best practice standards when working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Standards for competent practice in response to trauma are an ethical obligation of the profession, because the likelihood of encountering survivors of trauma in every practice setting is very high." Further compounding the already existing trauma among many individuals, are the devastating and lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which are still largely unknown. The need to address trauma in a variety of settings is of the utmost importance. In social work education, field education (internships) are considered to be the signature pedagogy. At the University of Arkansas School of Social Work, both undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to do two internships during their course of study. A large percentage of internship placements focus on providing support and treatment of individuals who have experienced trauma. Internship placements range from several programs in the Veteran's Administration, to child advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, and primary care settings. In some cases, students receive specialized training to focus on treating trauma such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) sets forth nine (9) competencies which guide the practice of students. By demonstrating mastery of the 9 competencies, students are developing skills that will allow them to go directly into practice after graduation, as well as making a significant impact on the treatment of trauma in the community. Currently, focus is on creating internships in primary care settings that serve a large Spanish-speaking and Pacific Islander population, both of which were impacted severely by the pandemic.