Funded in part by the Administration for Children and Families, CSWE recruited experts in the field of disaster relief social work to develop the 2022 EPAS Specialized Practice Curricular Guide on Disaster Relief Social Work. As climate change, natural disasters, and public health crises grow in frequency and impact, social workers are increasingly called upon to respond to complex emergencies. The specialized curriculum guide in disaster relief social work provides resources to social work programs that can ensure students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, values, and cognitive and affect processes needed to serve communities before, during, and after disaster events.

The Specialized Practice Curricular Guide for Disaster Relief Social Work is presented in two volumes to support educators in aligning disaster relief practice competencies with the 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Volume 2 covers with Competencies 6 through 9, addressing engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation, and a tenth competency around self-care and compassion in disaster relief practice. ​​​​​​Volume 1 will be available in early 2026 and will cover Competencies 1 through 5. Together, these volumes offer a comprehensive framework for preparing social workers to practice effectively and ethically in disaster settings, emphasizing both immediate response and long-term recovery.