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Marco Brambilla

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.

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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.

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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.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
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

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Reviews summary

Pandemic policy for vulnerable groups

According to students, this course offers an in-depth reflection on social work during the pandemic, particularly concerning vulnerable groups. Learners found the insights from multiple professionals and experts highly valuable, providing practical best practices from Europe. The course is seen as timely and relevant, effectively highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on support systems and offering lessons learned from specific projects. While broadly praised for its foundational knowledge, some suggest further exploration of non-European contexts could enhance its global applicability.
Primarily draws examples and best practices from European contexts.
"While the European examples were insightful, I would have appreciated some comparative case studies from other regions globally."
"The course is very strong on Belgian and European practices, which is great if that's your focus."
"I hoped for a slightly broader geographical scope to apply these concepts more universally."
Offers a thorough exploration of vulnerability and pandemic's effect on social work.
"The modules provided an excellent in-depth reflection on how the pandemic influenced social work contexts."
"I liked the clear structure, moving from theoretical introductions to specific case studies and lessons learned."
"The course gave me a foundational understanding of inequalities and the challenges faced by social workers during COVID-19."
Addresses crucial and contemporary issues related to pandemic impacts on social work.
"The course material is extremely relevant to today's challenges in social work, especially regarding crisis response."
"I found the focus on COVID-19's impact on support systems to be very timely and directly applicable to current events."
"It helped me understand the immediate and long-term implications of policy on vulnerable populations during a health crisis."
Provides valuable real-world perspectives and best practices from leading professionals.
"The sessions with Dr. Storer and Dr. Sarafian were incredibly insightful; their real-world examples clarified complex policy challenges."
"I appreciated the direct input from professionals in the field, it made the content feel very relevant and actionable."
"Learning about the lessons from specific projects, like those with Roma communities, offered practical frameworks for my own work."

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.
Having a mentor can provide you with valuable support and guidance throughout your learning journey.
Show steps
  • 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.
Having all of your course materials in one place will help you to stay organized and to study more effectively.
Show steps
  • 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
Helps students develop a deeper understanding of the different types of vulnerable populations that social workers encounter.
Browse courses on Vulnerability
Show steps
  • 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
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Complete the online exercises on the PERISCOPE website.
These exercises will help you to reinforce your understanding of the course material and to develop your social work skills.
Show steps
  • 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.
These video tutorials will provide you with additional information and insights on the course material.
Show steps
  • 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
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
Show steps
  • 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.
Discussing the course material with other students will help you to deepen your understanding and to learn from others.
Show steps
  • 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.
Mentoring a newer student will help you to solidify your understanding of the course material and to develop your leadership skills.
Show steps
  • 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Reaching Vulnerable Groups through Pandemic Policy.
This guide provides practical guidance for social workers on how to respond to pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers topics such as risk assessment, crisis management, and supporting vulnerable populations.
Offers practical guidance for social workers on how to reach and engage with vulnerable populations, including those experiencing homelessness, poverty, and mental illness.
Provides an overview of the social determinants of health, with a focus on the role of social workers in addressing these factors and promoting health equity.
Provides an overview of the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the importance of strengthening public health systems and promoting global cooperation.
Provides a practical guide to how communities can transition to a more sustainable future.
Collection of essays that explore the lives of vulnerable people around the world. It provides insights into the challenges they face and the resilience they show.
Shows how inequality is harmful to everyone, not just the poor. It provides evidence that more equal societies are healthier, happier, and more prosperous.
Argues that cities need to become more local in order to thrive in the age of populism. It provides examples of how cities around the world are doing this.
Argues that poverty is not inevitable and that it can be eradicated. It provides a roadmap for how to achieve this goal.
Explores how Cuba has been able to survive peak oil by building a strong sense of community and local resilience.

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