Developing a Roadmap for Harnessing Technology in Social Work: Training the Next Generation of Social Workers

ABSTRACT Our manuscript discusses the importance of the Social Work Grand Challenge of Technology. We believe it is the most cross-cutting of the 12 original challenges and reflects the wave of technology that has already changed our daily lives and many practices and clinical fields including social work. Specifically, the goal of this challenge is to positively change the profession by using technology to drive transformations producing more service accessibility, better outcomes, and a change in social work’s relationship to technology, including throughout academia. A discussion of the history and barriers to change, the standards for use of technology, promising technology applications, and an overview of policies and research are covered. Further, recommendations for research exploring field educators’ and social work students’ perspectives, concerns, and behaviors related to technology are suggested to produce strategies for a broad roadmap for positive technology innovation within the social work profession. The path forward runs through the use of technology in both university settings and field settings. The question for the social work profession is we commit to this, and if so, how?