Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy from Coursera

This course aims to provide an in-depth reflection on social work in different contexts, hereby focusing on their needs, the way the contexts have been influenced, and different challenges that have occurred during the last two years.

It aims to set up conversations with multiple professionals where they give information about the hurdles on their path, the lessons learned from these turbulent times, and to give an overview of important ideas and practices that could help reshape the future of social work.

In the end, the goal is to provide specific, hands-on, best practices collected from literature and professionals in Belgium and Europe that help organise social work, both during and after a pandemic.

This course was developed as part of the research project 'Pan-European Response to the Impacts of the COVID-19 and future Pandemics and Epidemics' (PERISCOPE, https://www.periscopeproject.eu/). Funded by the European Commission Research Funding programme Horizon 2020 under the Grant Agreement number 101016233, PERISCOPE investigates the broad socio-economic and behavioural impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, to make Europe more resilient and prepared for future large-scale risks.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

This module will give an introduction to different aspects of vulnerability, (COVID-19-related) inequalities and the impact of the pandemic on social work.

Impact of COVID-19 on support systems

In this module we will go more in-depth on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted different vulnerable groups and therefore different social work practices

Lessons learned from specific projects

Summary

Dr Elizabeth Storer (LSE) - Introduction: 'Hard to Reach'

Dr Iliana Sarafian (LSE) - Insights from Italian Roma Communities: Trusted Leaders

Costanza Torre (LSE) - Insights from Border-Crossers: COVID-19 and Politics of Solidarity

Sara Vallerani (LSE) - Insights from Undocumented Communities in Rome

Dr Eloisa Franchi (Università degli Studi di Pavi) - Equitable Engagement in Humanitarian Settings

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on current events and emerging issues, with a specific focus on its impact on social work

Emphasizes practical applications and best practices, equipping learners with actionable skills

Incorporates diverse perspectives from multiple professionals, providing a well-rounded understanding of the field

Taught by experienced instructors Marco Brambilla, who are recognized for their expertise in social work

Addresses the challenges and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, providing valuable insights for navigating similar situations in the future

Part of the PERISCOPE research project, funded by the European Commission, ensuring credibility and relevance of the content

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy with these activities:

Find a mentor who can provide you with guidance and support throughout the course.

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Having a mentor can provide you with valuable support and guidance throughout your learning journey.

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Identify potential mentors who have experience in the field of social work.
Reach out to potential mentors and ask if they would be willing to mentor you.
Meet with your mentor regularly to discuss your progress and to get feedback.

Compile your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams into a single document.

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Having all of your course materials in one place will help you to stay organized and to study more effectively.

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Gather all of your course materials.
Create a new document.
Copy and paste your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams into the new document.
Save the document.

Practice identifying vulnerable populations

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Helps students develop a deeper understanding of the different types of vulnerable populations that social workers encounter.

Browse courses on Vulnerability

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Review the course materials on vulnerability and social work.
Identify different types of vulnerable populations in your community.
Describe the challenges that these populations face.

Five other activities

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Complete the online exercises on the PERISCOPE website.

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These exercises will help you to reinforce your understanding of the course material and to develop your social work skills.

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Go to the PERISCOPE website.
Click on the 'Exercises' tab.
Choose an exercise to complete.
Complete the exercise.

Watch the video tutorials on the PERISCOPE website.

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These video tutorials will provide you with additional information and insights on the course material.

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Go to the PERISCOPE website.
Click on the 'Videos' tab.
Choose a video to watch.
Watch the video.

Learn about the impact of COVID-19 on social work

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Provides students with an overview of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social work practices, challenges, and opportunities

Browse courses on COVID-19

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Watch the video lectures on the impact of COVID-19 on social work.
Read the assigned articles on the topic.
Participate in the discussion forum on COVID-19 and social work.

Participate in a peer discussion group.

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Discussing the course material with other students will help you to deepen your understanding and to learn from others.

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Find a peer discussion group that meets your interests.
Attend the discussion group meetings regularly.
Participate in the discussions.

Mentor a newer student in the course.

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Mentoring a newer student will help you to solidify your understanding of the course material and to develop your leadership skills.

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Identify a newer student who could benefit from your help.
Meet with the student regularly to provide support and guidance.
Answer the student's questions.
Provide feedback on the student's work.

Career center

Learners who complete Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Manager

Project managers oversee the development and implementation of projects. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating projects. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as project managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Grant Writer

Grant writers write proposals to secure funding for projects and programs. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in writing grant proposals. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as grant writers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Social Worker

Social workers help people cope with a variety of challenges, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of how the pandemic has impacted vulnerable groups. They will also gain skills in organizing social work during and after a pandemic. Both of these outcomes can help graduates to succeed as social workers. Furthermore, this course is developed as part of the PERISCOPE project, which investigates the socio-economic and behavioral impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it particularly timely and relevant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease), and apply this knowledge to the control of diseases and other health problems. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in conducting epidemiological research. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as epidemiologists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts help develop and evaluate policies to address social problems. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an in-depth understanding of social work in different contexts. They will also gain skills in identifying and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as policy analysts. Additionally, this course is developed as part of the PERISCOPE project, which investigates the socio-economic and behavioral impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it particularly timely and relevant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Researcher

Researchers conduct studies to understand and address social problems. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an in-depth understanding of social work in different contexts. They will also gain skills in conducting research. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as researchers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Community Organizer

Community organizers work to improve the lives of people in their communities. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in organizing and mobilizing communities to address these challenges. The course also covers specific projects and best practices that can help community organizers to be more effective. These outcomes can help graduates to succeed as community organizers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in managing and leading nonprofit organizations. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as nonprofit managers. Additionally, this course is developed as part of the PERISCOPE project, which investigates the socio-economic and behavioral impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it particularly timely and relevant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Program Manager

Program managers oversee the development and implementation of programs. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as program managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators oversee the operations of healthcare organizations. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in managing healthcare organizations. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as healthcare administrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

Health Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts work to develop and evaluate policies that improve health outcomes. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in analyzing and evaluating health policies. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as health policy analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Humanitarian Aid Worker

Humanitarian aid workers provide assistance to people in need during emergencies. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in providing humanitarian aid. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as humanitarian aid workers.

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Public Health Educator

Public health educators work to promote health and prevent disease. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in developing and implementing public health education programs. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as public health educators.

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Disaster Relief Specialist

Disaster relief specialists provide assistance to people affected by disasters. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in providing disaster relief. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as disaster relief specialists.

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Social Policy Advocate

Social policy advocates work to promote policies that help people in need. Learners of the course "Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy" will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. They will also gain skills in advocating for policies that address these challenges. This knowledge and these skills will help graduates to succeed as social policy advocates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Policy Advocate