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Board of Examiners
Protecting the public, at a distance
BY JOLINE COMEAU, BOARD OF EXAMINERS CHAIR
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2020 was a year of uncertainty and uneasiness like none other. It has been an especially challenging year for the most vulnerable individuals in this province.
Social workers have had to manage a changing landscape for themselves, their family, and their work environment while seeing citizens’ mental wellness, access to services, and access to supports being impacted by the pandemic. Many social workers have also tried to help community members make sense of a tragic event while also trying to come to terms with it themselves. Even when it was most difficult, social workers have kept their passion and advocacy in helping citizens of Nova Scotia and have committed to continue to build on our high ethical standards.
The Board of Examiners has continued to meet remotely to approve and regulate social workers in Nova Scotia.
We have seen a greater number of applicants for private practice over the past year as social workers see a need in their communities. The board has continued to review the private practice application process and developed a new policy regarding trauma specialization for Private Practitioners, which will inform the approval process for those interested in working with trauma-informed and traumaspecific therapy approaches.
The sudden shift to a virtual world has also allowed the NSCSW to advocate for policy development regarding labour mobility and electronic practice with other jurisdictions; this work has been ongoing.
I would like to thank the members of the Board of Examiners and the NSCSW staff who have shown flexibility and adaptability throughout this unpredictable year. Although the circumstances were difficult, we were able to continue to welcome new social workers to the profession and maintain high professional standards for our membership.
BOARD OF EXAMINERS MEMBERS:
Joline Comeau (chair), Dennis Adams, Afolake Awoyiga, Jaqi Allan, Lynn Cheek, Jeff Karabanow, Jack Landreville, Angela Penny, Shireen Singer
GOVERNMENT APPOINTEES: Bobbi Boudreau, Lianne Chang, Lisandra Naranjo
