Coronavirus Updates: Fieldwork

Immediate suspension of Touro Social Work Face to Face Field Work-Effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020

My Dear Students,

We care deeply about your health and well being.

Touro continues to balance our commitment to our clients and public health.

After considerable discussion with the Touro senior administration, we have decided for the balance of the semester to suspend face-to-face fieldwork due to the challenges from the Coronavirus. Touro will notify your agencies. Please consult with your field supervisors to determine the best way to tell your clients/patients of this suspension. In some cases, agencies may permit phone or remote consultations with your clients.

We are asking New York State to permit those students who are graduating in June to consider 900 field hours to meet the licensure requirement instead of 1200 hours. We are hopeful New York State will approve the waiver of the 1200 hour rule and will accept the alternatives we are proposing. We will advocate for our Touro students and notify you of New York State's decision.

For all students in field, we will be developing online remote clinical options that you will find enriching and meaningful. We are requesting New York State for permission for these online remote alternative assignments and activities to count as field hours.

To reiterate, please do not attend in person any social work field sites effective Wednesday, March 18.

Please address any questions or concerns to your Touro Integrative Seminar/Field Liaison. If after speaking to your liaison you still need assistance, please contact the Field Education Department at:

Roberta Shiffman, MSW, LMSW
Director of Field Education
Phone: (212) 463-0400, Ext. 55543
roberta.shiffman@touro.edu

Susan T. Brot, MSW, LMSW
Associate Director of Field Education
susan.brot@touro.edu

Dorrine Veca, MPH, LCSW-R
Assistant Director of Field Education
dorrine.veca@touro.edu

In addition to field issues, for those of you who need to discuss any issues that may be affecting your academics, please email confidentially our Director of Student Advancement, Professor Allison Bobick: allison.bobick@touro.edu

You can find all Touro-wide updates on the Touro Coronavirus updates page.

Social workers are resilient and I am sure we will get through this crisis together.

My very best to you.

Dr. Steven Huberman
Dean, Graduate School of Social Work