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September 20, 2005
SOCIAL WORKERS NEEDED FOR TWO WEEK SAMHSA KATRINA ASSIGNMENT – URGENT
REQUEST FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Dear NASW Member:
As a professional association with many mental health care professionals
as members, NASW has been asked to assist in an effort by the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to identify
licensed, insured clinical social workers for Hurricane Katrina disaster
relief programs. NASW has agreed to assist SAMHSA’s contractor,
Westover Consultants, in identifying 100 qualified, insured, clinical
social workers who are able and willing to devote two weeks of their
time and professional services to mental health disaster relief in
one of the affected states. The social work services would be provided
as part of a multi-disciplinary team that would include other mental
health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, substance
abuse counselors, pastoral counselors and psychiatric nurses.
The assignments will be for two weeks with a total of four deployment
cycles. The first two-week assignment starts September 18 and the last
begins November 1, 2005 . Participants will have their expenses covered
including travel, ground transportation, housing and meals. In addition,
selected participants will receive a $200 per day honorarium and per
diem through Westover Consultants. All arrangements are to be made
directly with Westover Consultants and an application
is attached. Westover will select participants based on the following
criteria:
- Participants must be currently licensed to practice social work;
- Participants must carry professional liability insurance;
- Participants should be able to work long hours during the two
week period in extremely difficult conditions including working outdoors;
- Participants must be able to work without access to refrigeration
for medications;
- Participants should not have any physical or other personal health
constraints;
- Participants must be ready to leave for the two-week assignment
on short notice.
Social workers who have completed disaster relief mental
health training are particularly in demand . In addition,
those who have sign language ability and other special skills should
identify them on the application. Those who are interested should complete
the online application IMMEDIATELY. You should be contacted within
two business days. It is recommended that disaster relief participants
obtain tetanus and diphtheria immunizations and the Hepatitis B vaccine.
NASW is acting as a conduit to provide this information as quickly
as possible to a group of NASW members who meet the requirements of
being currently licensed and holding professional liability insurance
and whose email addresses are available. All decisions regarding selection
and placement in the disaster relief areas will be made at the discretion
of Westover Consultants and SAMHSA. NASW cannot guarantee acceptance
in the program or deployment if your application is accepted nor does
NASW assume any liability for any injuries that may be incurred if
your application is accepted and you participate in the program.
If you meet all qualifications, please proceed to the secure
online application, complete the form in its entirety, and submit
it. Thank you for your consideration and prompt response.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth J. Clark, Ph.D, ACSW, MPH
NASW Executive Director
For more information, please visit http://www.socialworkers.org
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©2005 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved.
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