COVID-19 Social Work Updates

Seated MSW Students:

As you prepare to transition to learning at a distance for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester, we recognize that not all students have experience with learning in online environments. To best support you with this transition, we have developed this sheet of tips and recommendations for the weeks to come. Please remember that you can contact us in Student Services at sw-studentservices@buffalo.edu for support and guidance with this transition. We’re here to help!

Student Services will hold open drop-in hours via Zoom during the times below:

• Tuesday 3/17 - 1:00pm to 2:30pm
• Thursday 3/19 - 9:30am to 10:30am; 7:00pm to 8:00pm
• Friday 3/20 - 2:00pm to 3:00pm

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• Feel free to join at any point during these timeframes. We hope that this will give you an opportunity to (1) give Zoom a test run and see for yourselves how it operates, and (2) follow-up with us if you have any questions about any of the details in this document.
• If you are unable to attend our open hours, but would like to set-up a meeting with one of us, please contact us sw-studentservices@buffalo.edu.

What can I expect with the change to distance learning?

• Each of your professors will contact you directly by March 19^th to provide an update on how their course will be delivered for the remainder of the term.
• We anticipate some of your faculty will simply shift their regularly scheduled face-to-face classes to Zoom or WebEx virtual meetings taking place on the same day and time that you previously met in-person.
• Classes with heavier lecture components might upload pre-recorded lectures for you to view independently on UBlearns.

Terminology

• Synchronous delivery means that courses will continue to be delivered “live,” with you logging into a virtual meeting at the same day and time as your previously scheduled seated meeting.
• Asynchronous delivery means that courses will post content, such as recorded presentations and discussion posts, that can be completed on your own by a specified deadline.

Tech Tips

• Whenever faculty deliver synchronous lessons using Zoom or WebEx, they will send you a link to “log in” to the meeting. Typically, all you need to do is click the link, provide your name, and set-up your camera and microphone.

• When logging into a synchronous class session, you will need:
  • A desktop or laptop computer. Using the Zoom or WebEx phone apps are fine for small groups but not ideal for full class sessions.
  • A reliable internet connection. Hard-wired internet connections are ideal but not required.
  • Headphones with a microphone are optional but recommended.
• There will be a call-in option for microphone and audio. Be sure to keep the call-in phone number handy in case you attempt to log in and experience technical difficulties.
• Both WebEx and Zoom have dedicated supports to help navigate technical difficulties.
• Please send a message to sw-studentservices@buffalo.edu if you do not have internet access at home or do not have a way to access the internet in a safe location.

Environment Tips

Whenever possible, designate a comfortable space with minimal distractions in your home or wherever you are most comfortable to complete your classwork.

• When you have a synchronous class session, be sure to login from a quiet environment with minimal background noise.
• In class sessions, make sure your microphone is muted when you aren’t speaking to prevent feedback.
• Make sure you have privacy when logging into class sessions. If others in your workspace can hear your computer, consider using headphones to support the privacy of your classmates.
• To be used at your discretion, at this time campus resources are still available. Resources such as libraries, computer labs, and other communal spaces are all still open for student use.

Communications Tips

• The primary mode of communication from your faculty will continue to be your @buffalo.edu email account.
• Some faculty will communicate by posting “Announcements” in UBlearns. Please check the Announcements tab in UBlearns periodically.
• For group projects with other students, consider using group text apps such as “GroupMe.” This allows you to set up group texts without sharing phone numbers.
• For meeting with other students, UB provides all students with an individual WebEx account and will provide more information about individual Zoom accounts for students in the near future. Consider familiarizing yourself with one of these services for small group meetings.
• Additional virtual meeting apps to consider for small group meetings include Google Duo and Google Hangouts.

Time and Workload Management Tips

• If you’re in a class that begins delivering content asynchronously, try to do the work during the same day and time you previously went to class to prevent falling behind.
• Build in breaks during asynchronous work similar to the breaks you might have during a seated class.
• Completing work asynchronously may take some additional time as you get acclimated to the new format. For example, if your faculty require participation via discussion boards, preparing and responding to discussion posts may take additional time and effort compared to class discussion. (In discussion posts, remember to cite your sources!)

Dear MSW students,

I’ve recorded a quick video (~4 minutes) for you, updating you on the school’s response to ongoing Covid-19 outbreak: https://www.loom.com/share/cd63e6d8dbe04a909ff06f271e204db8. Please watch this no later than 3/12 as the situation appears to change quite rapidly.

Attached is the official UB statement regarding the Covid-19 situation. The same statement and additional information can be found here: https://www.buffalo.edu/coronavirus/dashboard.html

It is important to know that all seated classes this week will go on as planned. When you return from spring break (3/23/20), all UB classes will continue but via distance learning (i.e., online) model.

In the meantime, please take care of yourself and enjoy the break.

Dear Students, Field Educators, and Liaisons:

The change form that the School submitted yesterday to the NYS Office of the Professions was approved to reduce the total number of field hours required to 85% of the 900 hours, in line with the decision that was recently made by our accrediting body, the Council on Social Work Education. This change will only impact advanced year students.

The field hours requirement for advanced year students in our program is now 345 hours (as opposed to 480) for students set to graduate in May or September. (After December 2020, the overall requirement returns to 900.)

Please read on for important considerations moving forward. Remember that as social workers we must consider agency partners, and our clients that we serve as we move towards ending. We hope that this change provides relief for many of our students who are struggling during the current crisis. 

For students who finish field in May. Some of you may be at the 345 hours. Please collaborate with your Field Educator and Faculty Liaison on a plan for professionally exiting.  

• Option 1: You may choose to complete the full 480 hours as originally planned (for your own learning and/or to provide for continuity of service to the agency and to your clients).  

• Option 2: If you are exiting with 345 hours, we ask that you discuss this with your field educator and faculty liaison the responsibilities that are listed below. 

Responsibilities for professionally exiting from placement include: 

• Termination with clients;
• Completion of or reporting on current status of field projects;
• Documentation requirements;
• Return of any agency items (i.e. keys for example); and,
• A plan to formally complete your field evaluation process with your Field Educator (including your timesheet, supervision record forms and reflection submissions). Recall that Field Educators cannot complete evaluations in Taskstream without student submission.  

For those students who finish advanced year field in August.  Please collaborate with your Field Educator and Faculty Liaison on a plan for hours completion. 

• Option 1: You may choose to complete the full 480 hours (for your own learning and/or to provide for continuity of service to the agency and to your clients).  

• Option 2: You may contract around completion of 345 hours. Decisions should be made in collaboration with your agency and field educator with the same considerations related to termination highlighted above.

As always, members of the Field Team are here to assist! 

All my best,

Laura

Laura A. Lewis, PhD, LCSW, ACSW

We have been responding to individual student requests to work remotely, and also advising students, field educators and liaisons on plans for completing activities remotely.  Students, please reach out to your Liaisons to keep them appraised of any closures.

Members of the Field Team will be available on Tuesday between 5pm and 6pm via Zoom video conferencing to respond to any questions and concerns.  Please feel free to join us.  You’ll find the Zoom meeting link below. 

In the midst of a chaotic time, I’m seeing members of our community respond with compassion, understanding and support. People seem to be making the most of this difficult situation, too.  One Field Educator asked me today if a single plan to do work remotely could be used for all students at her school-based site.  Absolutely.  A Liaison for another school district mentioned students possibly helping with food distribution in lieu of the normal routine.  A great idea! 

Be well everyone. Please remember safety first, and reach out with any questions or concerns. 

UBSSWField Education is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: UBSSW Field - COVID-19 Response Q & A

Time: Mar 17, 2020 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Updated 3/16/2020

Dear Students, Field Educators, Task Supervisors, and Other Members of our Field Community:

First, let me say that if you have any questions or concerns, you should not hesitate to contact the Field Office, or call me directly.  You can email sw-field@buffalo.edu to reach members of the Field Team. My number is 716-645-1232.

As I mentioned in a previous email to students, you should continue to attend field. Please read the following message, and see the attached for a protocol for individual students to follow if field for them does need to be interrupted. We’ve developed a list of resources and remote activities that are applicable to all students should their placement be disrupted due to the virus. We are approving off-site work plans if a situation demands it. 

We understand that the news about the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can make this a challenging time for some, and of course our first concern is always for our students’ health. It is important to remember that this is flu season, and seasonal flu guidelines – such as handwashing, social distance - should be followed. Students may become ill for a variety of reasons unconnected to COVID-19, and are encouraged not to attend field if they are feeling ill, and to contact University at Buffalo Student Health Services or their own health care provider. Please be familiar with our standard attendance policy which is located in the Field Manual. 

Students should be proactive in discussing with their Field Supervisors procedures if there is a prolonged absence from field. In the event of field placement closure, or if students are advised by their agency, supervisor, and/or government to not attend their field placement, or if safety concerns warrant a temporary disruption in field placement, students should immediately consult with both their Faculty Liaison and their Field Supervisor(s). 

We have assembled a list of optional remote activities that students can complete – with Field Educator input and approval - to help meet hour requirements and educational competencies.  In the event a student is too ill to complete alternative assignments remotely, a plan can be made and discussed with the Field Office upon student recovery. Students may be assigned an incomplete until field hours are completed. Please see attached document, “Remote Activities”. 

There are procedures in place if an individual student is requesting to work remotely. The Protocol begins with contacting the Field Office for consideration and approval. Please see the attached document, “Field Education Protocol”. 

We ask that students obtain timely information about the COVID-19 virus, as with any potential disease outbreak or disaster. The University webpage related to COVID-19 provides up-to-date information and resources for students:   https://www.buffalo.edu/coronavirus.html. Other important sources of information are county and state Departments of health websites, and the Center for Disease Control website. 

• CDC Travel Notices:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
• In New York State:  https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
• In Erie County:  http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=coronavirus

If a student is exhibiting symptoms related to COVD-19 as described in guidance issued by U.S. health agencies, they should contact Student Health Services or their health care provider immediately. If a student is ever experiencing distress related to as a result of the anticipation or impact of the pandemic or disaster should contact Student Counseling at the University.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Dear Students, Field Educators and Other Members of Our Field Education Community:

You may have heard of SUNY’s recent decision to move classes online through the remainder of spring semester. I’ll attach a piece from the NY Times below.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/nyregion/coronavirus-new-york-update.html

Students should continue to attend field.

Please know that health and safety is our primary concern. We’ve developed a plan and helpful resources in the event that student placements are disrupted.

I have a more extensive communication ready to go out to you very soon.

As I sit on our Faculty Senate, I’m hearing from University leadership now about this developing situation. The main objective at the moment is to reduce the density of the population on campus. Campus operations, however, will continue, i.e. dining, housing. 

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions and concerns. Please bear with me as this is evolving.

UBSSW Faculty, Staff, and Students,

By now you all have hopefully received the announcement from Provost Weber about UB moving to distance learning, wherever possible, on March 23.

We do have classes that have “lab” components that need to be “on-ground” with people together in a room, so there will be some classes or class sessions that need to be done in classrooms as scheduled. The university remains open and classrooms continue to be available for this purpose.

• Full and part-time faculty:
  • Please contact students in your classes no later than March 19 to let them know how your class will be delivered.
  • If you think you need to do some “on-ground” components (i.e. “lab” sessions), then please consult with the appropriate program director about this decision to hold a class in person (Dr. Isok Kim, MSW Program; Dr. Annette Semanchin Jones, PhD Program; DSW Program Director, Dr. Louanne Bakk; Undergraduate Studies: Dr. Filomena Critelli). Email addresses are on the Full-Time Faculty webpage.
  • Steve Sturman is available to assist with online course conversion. Please contact him at sturman@buffalo.edu.

• Campus-based faculty and staff: the university remains open for our usual business hours. Please work with your supervisors to address any of your needs related to work tasks, schedules, priorities. We are all going to need to restructure our priorities to ensure that we can deliver our core mission during challenging times. We will likely need to put some less urgent work on hold so we can focus on what is core right now. Let’s all keep communicating with each other to clarify priorities and asking for help when we need it.
• Students:
  • For classes:  Your instructors should be in contact by March 19^th about the plan for your course. If you haven’t heard from them by that date, please reach out to your instructor and the  your degree program director (Dr. Isok Kim, MSW Program; Dr. Annette Semanchin Jones, PhD Program; DSW Program Director, Dr. Louanne Bakk; Undergraduate Studies: Dr. Filomena Critelli). Email addresses are on the Full-Time Faculty webpage
  • For MSW Field Placements: field placements continue based on the field calendar and the particular field agency schedule. Please see our SSW Covid-19 update page for more information on how to manage a range of field placement issues that could arise. And you can reach our field faculty and staff by emailing sw-field@buffalo.edu.
  • If you work on campus, please report for work as you typically do
  • If any circumstance arise that interfere with your ability to complete your coursework or field instruction, please know that our Student Services staff are here to help. The best way to do that is to email them at sw-studentservices@buffalo.edu

For all of us:

• Be kind: this is stressful time for everyone. Please give each other the benefit of the doubt and understand that we are doing our best under stress.
• Communicate what you need: when we are under stress our attention narrows and it becomes harder to anticipate what others might need. So please speak up if there is something you need. We do want to know, we might just be overwhelmed and not thinking as proactively as we might want.
• Take care of yourself, take health precautions, such as handwashing, social distancing, calling in sick. Reach out to your health care providers if you have any health care concerns.

I am confident that we can come together to get through this time successfully, delivering a high quality education and supporting each other through the process.