The Atlanta Mass Murder of
Asian Women: CSWA Response
3/19/21

Kendra Roberson, LICSW, PhD, CSWA President

Laura Groshong, LICSW, CSWA Director, Policy and Practice

Anti-Asian hate crimes have spiked over 1900% since March of 2020 (MSNBC, 3/16/21) placing the tragic Atlanta murders in a historical context that has supported violence against Asians, and notably Asian women since the late 1800s. (TIME, https://news.yahoo.com/atlanta-shootings-fit-long-legacy-110100656.html ) Chair of the Social Work Department at Seattle University, Hye-Kyung Kang writes “Asian American women are particularly vulnerable and targeted due to the triple jeopardy of racism, colonialism and misogyny”. (https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/racist-colonialist-and-misogynist-narrative-abets-violence-against-asian-women/) Correspondingly, journalist Elise Hu writes “This Atlanta tragedy lies at an intersection of race, gender, class and the legacy of America’s history of colonization and violence in Asia.” (Ibid, TIME.)

In a Seattle Times Op-Ed, University of Washington’s Associate Dean for Faculty Excellence at the School of Social Work, David Takeuchi notes the mental health impact of hate crimes on our communities. He emphasized the need for policymakers to “create more ways for people to report such incidents and to increase awareness of why reporting is necessary”. He also places these incidents in a geo-political context citing the tensions between the U.S. and China as a catalyst for people to “act on their prejudices”. (https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/ending-anti-asian-violence-requires-urgent-action-at-all-levels/)

There is no way to make sense of the horrific slaughter of six women, but as clinical social workers we strongly promote the need to see our friends, family, clients, co-workers, students, etc. from intersectional identity perspectives, to support the continued struggle for racial equality, and to rail against Anti-Asian hate and white supremacy in all its forms.  

As clinical social workers, our hearts break for the victims of this senseless, hate-filled crime. We stand in solidarity with the families of those whose lives have been lost and for those who live in fear that they too could be victimized.

We are delighted to inform you that we will be working with the US Depa­­­­­­rtment of Defense, National Center of Interstate Compacts and other key social work stakeholders to establish clinical social work reciprocity across states.  This effort has become increasingly important as we work utilizing telemental health; the requirement that we be licensed in the state where the patient is located is burdensome and amounts to restraint of trade.

Below is the message that CSWA received today from the US Department of Defense:

We are excited to inform you that the U.S. Department of Defense has selected your profession to receive technical assistance from The Council of State Governments to develop an interstate compact for occupational licensing portability. Based on the applications received from three organizations representing social work, DoD believes the Association of Social Work Boards is best suited to lead compact development efforts on behalf of the profession.  

However, we believe that CSWA will be a crucial stakeholder in developing a compact for social workers. CSG would like to invite representatives from CSWA to join the compact technical assistance group that will engage in compact development activities jointly with ASWB and other social work regulatory stakeholders.  

Thank you for your commitment to removing barriers to multistate practice for licensed practitioners. We will be in touch in the coming days to set up a call with our team at CSG. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

National Center for Interstate Compacts 
The Council of State Governments 
1776 Avenue of the States, Lexington, KY 40511 

CSWA will keep you informed on the progress of this helpful project.

Kendra C. Roberson, PhD, LCSW | President & Education Committee, Social Work Consultant 
president@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org

Laura Groshong, LICSW, CSWA Director, Policy and Practice
lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org

Below is an excellent summary of the legal protections for telehealth services, including behavioral health treatment, in all 50 states and District of Columbia (seven states do not have laws about telehealth coverage - AL, ID, PA, NC, SC, WI, WY) put together by the law firm of Foley and Lardner.  The link is https://www.foley.com/-/media/files/insights/publications/2021/02/21mc30431-50state-telemed-reportmaster-02082021.pdf

The areas covered include state laws about coverage for telehealth and audio-only treatment; reimbursement requirements; how long coverage will last; the actual language of the laws in each state; and more. 

Even if you think you know your state’s laws about telemental health, this is a good review and offers ways to improve telemental health laws based on what other states have done.

Let me know if you have any questions about this information.

Laura Groshong, LICSW, Director, Policy and Practice
Clinical Social Work Association

CSWA is thrilled to see President Biden’s new executive orders today which will be huge steps toward anti-racism and true equity in our country.  They are:

• To require fair housing policies and eliminate ‘red-lining’ of housing for BIPOC individuals and families
• To end private prisons which have consistently promoted discriminatory policies and actions toward BIPOC incarcerated individuals
• To combat the xenophobia that exists toward Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans
• To strengthen nation-to-nation relationships with Native Americans and Alaska Natives

In addition, President Biden is embedding racial equity in all Federal agencies.  The President wants his team to serve as a model on diversity, including hiring, purchasing, data and access. He has called racial inequality one of the four “converging crises” facing the nation.

To hear the President’s complete remarks on his new policies go to https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/01/26/remarks-by-president-biden-at-signing-of-an-executive-order-on-racial-equity/ .

CSWA is about to begin a series of six presentations on “Racism and the Clinical Process” in a virtual collaborative format on Wednesday evenings.  For more information go to https://www.clinicalsocialworkassociation.org/event-4134868.

CSWA encourages all members to join us in the anti-racism effort which is finally being addressed at the Federal level.

Kendra Roberson, PhD, LCSW, President
Clinical Social Work Association

The State of Emergency has been extended to April 20, 2021.  It was scheduled to end next week on January 20^th.  This means psychotherapy through videoconferencing or audio only means will be covered by Medicare, and likely private insurers.

Listed below is new information about President-Elect Biden’s American Rescue Plan for expanding health care in four different areas when he takes office.  These plans are designed to ensure: Expansion of Health Care; Expansion of Access to Behavioral Health Services; Ensuring Adequate Funding for Veterans; and Combating Gender-Based Violence. These are detailed below:

President-Elect Biden’s American Rescue Plan - Health Care Section

Expanding access to behavioral health services. ​The pandemic has made access to mental health and substance use disorder services more essential than ever. The president-elect is calling on Congress to appropriate $4 billion to enable the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Resources and Services Administration to expand access to these vital services.

Preserving and expanding health coverage. ​Roughly ​two to three million people​ lost employer sponsored health insurance between March and September, and even families who have maintained coverage may struggle to pay premiums and afford care. 

Ensuring adequate funding for veterans’ health. ​COVID-19 has put enormous pressure on America's veterans and on the Veterans Health Administration that is charged with providing and facilitating top-notch care for them. The president-elect is committed to ensuring America delivers on its promise to the people who have served our country. To account for increased usage as many veterans have lost access to private health insurance, higher overall costs, and other pandemic-related impacts, the president-elect is immediately requesting an additional $20 billion to make sure that veterans’ health care needs can be met through this crisis.

Combat increased risk of gender-based violence. ​The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated domestic violence and sexual assault, creating a “​shadow pandemic​” for many women and girls who are largely confined to their home with their abuser and facing economic insecurity that makes escape more difficult. President Biden is calling for at least $800 million in supplemental funding for key federal programs that protect survivors.

CSWA will continue to keep you informed about the issues that affect LCSWs and our patients.

Laura Groshong, LICSW, Director, Policy and Practice
Clinical Social Work Association