Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, we know that there are a lot of unanswered questions and general uncertainty. As we receive questions and determine solutions and answers to those questions, we will be updating this page with the most recent information. Please check back here if you have any questions regarding COVID-19 and the practice of social work in New Brunswick during this outbreak. You can also click here for contact information for organizations in New Brunswick.

Where can I find information on COVID-19?

The Government of New Brunswick and the Government of Canada both have dedicated webpages on the COVID-19 outbreak in New Brunswick and Canada, respectively. We recommend you consult these pages for up-to-date local and national information on the current outbreak.

The Chief Medical Officer of New Brunswick would also like to advise health professionals of the following webpage:

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please follow the Government of New Brunswick’s instructions.

I'm a social worker working in New Brunswick. What does the Government of New Brunswick's State of Emergency mean for me? Can I still practice?

Regulated health professionals may operate but are encouraged to do so virtually. To stay up do date on how this affects you in Red, Orange, and Yellow zones, please refer to New Brunswick’s recovery plan. Moreover, please refer to the Guidance Document of General Public Health Measures During COVID-19 Recovery & the COVID-19 Operational Plan Guide for operational specific information.

In addition, the Government of New Brunswick has a list of resources on this page, including templates and signs to post in your workspace.

I have re-opened my private practice and am looking to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Where can I do so?

I’m interested in providing social work services via telephone or electronic means (e.g. video-conferencing). Does the NBASW have any standards or guidelines about how I can do this?

Over the past few months, several members of the Association have been using technology to provide services to clients. To guide you in the use of technology in social work practice, please consult the Standards for the Use of Technology in Social Practice & the new standards that have been adopted by the NBASW Board of Directors, titled the Standards Regarding Telehealth Services, the Use of Technology and Social Work Practice. 

Please note that if your employer has their own standards and internal policies for how to handle technology in your practice, these supersede our guidance.

The CASW and BMS Insurance have also made the following documents available for members:

Is the NBASW office open right now?

Due to the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendations, and the current State of Emergency situation in New Brunswick, the NBASW’s physical offices are currently closed. While we assess the situation daily, our staff is working from home from 8:30am-4:30pm and all of our regular services are being offered remotely.

Please note that these unique circumstances mean that there may be delays in responses to inquiries as we adapt to working remotely. Please also note that due to limitations in receiving mail, we ask that you send any documents to us by email when possible.

If you have any questions about our current processes and services, please contact us.

Do you have any resources for getting through self-isolation and the COVID-19 outbreak?

We want to remind you to take time to consider your own needs and wellbeing. In addition to taking care of others, it is important that we all take some time in the day to care for ourselves. We recommend taking time to incorporate self-care efforts into your day-to-day life, whether that be through activities like journaling, meditation, yoga, or stretching, or through efforts such as participating in self-care webinars or reaching out to friends and family.

The Government of New Brunswick and the Government of Canada both have dedicated webpages on the COVID-19 outbreak in New Brunswick and Canada, respectively. We recommend you consult these pages for up-to-date local and national information on the current outbreak.

The Government of New Brunswick also has a dedicated webpage with a comprehensive list of links to resources for keeping yourself healthy (physically and mentally) during this outbreak.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I cannot access my login information to renew my membership. How can I renew my membership?

We understand that there are a variety of reasons why members may not be able to access the information they need to log into SPD and renew their memberships. To help facilitate this process, we ask that you instead complete the long form using the code sheet and send the completed form to info@nbasw-attsnb.ca so we can manually renew you in our system. We can accept the long form in a variety of digital formats, including scanned or by taking a picture. You can also pay your dues as usual here (Association # '7' and if you don't know your membership number just type '12345'). 

If you do not have access to the technology to complete this process, we ask that you contact our Administrative Assistant, Shae, by calling 506-459-1203 and she will help you renew your membership.

If I have a client who is not respecting the government's directive to self-isolate or self-quarantine, is there anything I can do?

If a social worker has reason to believe their client is not following federal or provincial law and is a risk to themselves or others the social worker is required to report that to the relevant authorities.