Specialized Gerontology Grantees

Transcription

1 Specialized Gerontology Grantees The CSWE Gero-Ed Center funded the following 16 programs from July 1, 2009 through June 30, Click on each program name to read a description of their Spec Gero Program: Aurora University Binghamton University College at Brockport, SUNY Dominican University Florida State University Hunter College, City University of New York Louisiana State University Loyola University, Chicago North Carolina State University Saint Louis University/University of Missouri-St. Louis Springfield College St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas University of Maine University of Pennsylvania University of Utah Yeshiva University Aurora University Aurora University recruits undergraduate students into a Gerontology Area of Emphasis program. The Area of Emphasis includes a senior year field placement with older adults, completion of one gerontology elective course (at a minimum), and the ability to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. The first $1,000 scholarship was awarded in Academic Year Additional efforts continue to recruit undergraduate social work students to the Gerontology Area of Emphasis. In Fall 2010, over 50 students attended a Multicultural Older Adult Panel and students gathered at an informal gerontology interest meeting to hear about elective courses in gerontology and discuss possible job opportunities in the field. Applications for the gerontology scholarship will be distributed so that students may explore their interest in completing their senior year field placement with older adults.

2 Binghamton University Specialized Structure: Certificate The Binghamton University Department of Social Work launched their Certificate in Geriatrics and Gerontological Social Work in Fall Four students formally enrolled in the program. Requirements included: 1. Participation in providing in-home interpersonal psychotherapy to depressed and/or mildly cognitively impaired older adults and their caregivers. 2. Attendance at the Enhancing Quality of Life in Older Years Conference. 3. Focus on aging-related projects within the following concentration year classes: Advanced Practice with Families, Advanced Practice with Groups, Advanced Practice with Communities, Advanced Practice with Organizations, and Evaluation of Practice. These projects must meet gero-competencies as approved by the instructor and/or designated representative from the certificate committee. 4. Participation in a monthly integrative seminar, which culminates in a capstone project that meets specific objectives derived from the Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale II with Life-long Learning in Relationship to Leadership Skills (GSWCS II), and builds upon and integrates gero-competencies obtained across the concentration curriculum. Students developed a capstone project in consultation with a certificate committee mentor; the project was evaluated in terms of how well it met learning objectives agreed to by the student and his/her committee advisors. Students shared their final projects in a college-wide forum. College at Brockport, SUNY Specialized Structure: Graduate Certificate The College at Brockport Social Work Department received college approval to offer a Graduate Certificate in Gerontological Social Work. This 15 credit certificate allowed MSW students participating in the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education (HPPAE) field placement to have 9 field credits count toward the 15 credit certificate. Students selected two, three-credit electives from a number of regularly offered graduate courses approved for the certificate and will earn this certificate as part of their MSW plan of study. Eight students earned the certificate as of May 2011 and we anticipate that approximately students will earn the certificate in subsequent years. This certificate was developed in part to sustain our HPPAE program and to offer students a value added professional incentive to earn the certificate as part of their MSW plan of study. In addition, plans are also underway to develop a proposal for a 12 credit graduate gerontology certificate. This certificate would be open to non-social work graduate students. If approved, our intent is to market this certificate to field instructors as non-matriculated learners. This proposal features a 3 credit competency-based social work elective course held at an independent living center that involves elders in class activities, along with a selection of pre-approved 3 credit course electives. This approach will facilitate the continued professional development of field instructors and others with competency-based gerontological knowledge. Tuition stipends issued to field instructors in recognition of their service to the college are anticipated to be an incentive for recruiting field instructors.

3 Dominican University Specialized Structure: Graduate Certificate MSW students enroll in the Gerontology Graduate Certificate in Aging Care in their second year, and complete four, three-credit gero-specific courses. Students who already have an MSW degree may register for the extern program. Ten courses of our foundation curriculum are infused with gerontology. Two new electives have been developed for students in the certificate program: Clinical and Global Perspectives in Aging Care and Advanced Practice with Older Adults. First and second year students are offered scholarships as an incentive to enroll in the certificate program. Students have the option of using the rotation model to develop their internship according to their learning interests, and may intern in local, national, or international agencies serving older adults. Marketing materials have been developed and recruitment efforts have been stepped up to enhance the visibility of the program. We are also in the process of hiring a full-time faculty in the area of clinical gerontology. Efforts to improve the program are ongoing and to a large extent dependent on the students' annual assessment of the gerontology competencies, needs analysis from the agencies, and alumni feedback. Florida State University Specialized Structure: Undergraduate/Graduate Certificate Florida State University s specialized gerontology program has received approval from the University to offer the Certificate in Gerontology for graduate and undergraduate students in all disciplines within the University. The core course, Gerontological Social Work, was offered in Fall 2010 with an enrollment of 12 students. Two seminars in Spring 2011 involved presentations by non-social work faculty to promote an interdisciplinary effort. Hunter College, City University of New York Specialized Structure: Specialization Hunter College School of Social Work (HCSSW) established the Gerontological Field of Practice Specialization, which is one of 5 Fields of Practice offered at HCSSW. As of Academic Year 2009, all students are required to select a Field of Practice for their Advanced Year of Studies. The Gero-Field of Practice requires students to select two courses from an approved menu, complete their Advanced Year Field Practicum in a setting that serves older adults, and complete either an approved Research Project or a Professional Seminar Topic Paper focused on a contemporary issue in aging. Twenty-three students participated in the Gero-Field of Practice in In addition, a group of students has come together to form the HCSSW Aging Alliance. Louisiana State University Specialized Structure: Graduate Certificate Louisiana State University School of Social Work (LSU SSW) has instituted a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology Program (GCGP), which is designed to prepare students to carry out

4 professional roles in planning, administration, and service provision for older adults. Students can opt to complete a thesis or non-thesis option in the social work curriculum. Nine advanced (2 nd year) students were enrolled in the GCGP in Academic Year As part of their field experience, students participated in a rotation model under the Hartford Partnership for Aging Education (HPPAE) guidelines and provide pre- and post-test measures related to learning objectives. The field rotation included such agencies/organizations as Alzheimer s Services of the Capital Area, AARP, Department of Health and Hospitals Aging and Adult Services, Senior Centers and Councils on Aging. Several of these partnerships are new and LSU SSW is delighted in the work that has occurred to forge new relationships with the aging network across the state. Our students interest in taking on challenges and opportunities in the GCGP have exceeded our initial goals and expectations, and partnerships between our faculty and administration have shown an encouraging interest in providing hands-on experiences for our students. Students are encouraged to participate in the university s Life Course and Aging Center: the students serve as informal ambassadors about the rich opportunities that gero-social work provides. Loyola University, Chicago The Loyola University, Chicago, offers students a program dedicated to gero specific courses. Due to the structure of the curriculum, neither the titles specialization or certificate were able to be used. The words program dedicated to gero specific courses appear on students transcripts and a letter of completion was issued at their graduation. Our goal is to move the program to a sustainable certificate and hopefully issue certificates retroactively to the current students. We originally hoped to enroll 8 students; we currently have 12 enrolled with 4 additional students joining the program in January. Students in the Spec Gero program complete a practice course, a policy course, a field placement, and an elective. This elective may include courses that are not specifically gero focused, but a project and /or assignments in those courses must be applicable and focused on the gero population. The project must be approved by the gero curriculum coordinator. Another emphasis in the program is to have students become involved in gero focused organizations. We believe that, in developing a peer group of other students/professionals in gero social work, the outcome will be sustainable interest in work with older adults. Students have been active in attending local and national meetings focused on older adults (e.g., ASA, GSA, Chicago Bridge). North Carolina State University Specialized Structure: Graduate Certificate As part of the Spec Gero Program, the North Carolina State University Department of Social Work has two major products it is working on. The first product we are creating is an online Graduate Certificate in Aging. The certificate will include three courses: Policies, Services, and Legislative Initiatives for Older Adults; Social Work with Older Adults; and Capstone Course in Aging, which includes a research project or grant writing project conducted in consultation with a faculty member and/or practitioner. In addition, a 10 hour per week internship in an agency/organization serving older adults will be required.

5 The second product, as part of the Graduate Certificate, is creating Social Work with Older Adults as an online course. The course is cross-listed and available to both undergraduates and graduates. The goal was to increase interest in social work practice with older adults at the same time that we made the course accessible to students anywhere in the world; the course was offered in Summer and Fall, 2010 and will be offered in Spring and Summer, Saint Louis University and University of Missouri-St. Louis Lack of social work student interest in working with older adults is troubling given that the U.S. population is graying. Researchers have found that providing opportunities for direct contact with older adults increases student interest in working with this population. This is the underlying force behind the joint project with the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) School of Social Work and Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Social Work in offering an Emphasis in Gerontology to undergraduates. This project consisted of two courses designed to interest undergraduates in gerontological social work and completion of a field practicum working with older adults: (1) Introduction to Gerontological Practice, taught at UMSL, introduced key concepts and practices in the evaluation and care of older adults; (2) Interprofessional Practices in Gerontology, offered at SLU, introduced students to interprofessional team work and team building, and provided opportunities to understand different disciplines contributions to working with older adults and their families. Upon completion of the above courses and a practicum working with older adults, the undergraduate students in social work have an emphasis in gerontology and are better equipped to work with the growing number of older adults needing social work services. Springfield College Springfield College School of Social Work (SCSSW) has developed an Area of Emphasis in Gerontology for students in their MSW advanced year. The program was implemented Fall Semester 2010, with 7 students enrolled. Area of Emphasis in Gerontology components include: 1. An elective, Working with Older Adults for Clinicians, Administrators, & Activists, required for students who choose the Area of Emphasis in Gerontology. 2. Advanced year assignments within courses and field designed to encourage students to expand their knowledge and skills in this area of emphasis. 3. Assigned faculty advisor/s whose focus is in Gerontology. 4. Enrichment Sessions as an important component of learning. Special sessions are scheduled, which bring students/colleagues together who share interest in gerontology. 5. A field practicum which emphasizes gerontological social work. 6. Administrative projects within field placements that support advancement in this Area of Emphasis. In order to support the sustainment of this program, SCSSW has developed the Community of Practice (COP) for Western Massachusetts. The COP is a network of community providers and

6 higher education representatives committed to developing a full continuum of services for older adults, as well as promoting practice competency, conducting research, and advocacy. Students in the Area of Emphasis in Gerontology are also members of the Community of Practice. St. Catherine University and University of St. Thomas The Area of Emphasis in Aging (AEA) program offers aging-specific courses and course assignments and research, practicum, and leadership opportunities for students (AEA Scholars) over a two year period. In year one, the emphasis is on gaining knowledge. In year two, the emphasis is on practice, research, and leadership. AEA Scholars learn about aging issues through the lens of social work history, policy, and research; complete two elective courses: Practice with Older Adults and Their Families and Clinical Practice with the Elderly; assess their geriatric practice competence and skill development; develop and apply leadership skills; network and collaborate with social work professionals who specialize in aging; focus their practice research on aging (including a year-long MSW Clinical Research Project); and apply their skills in a 600-hour clinical field placement which serves older adults and their families The Area of Emphasis in Aging offers several opportunities for community involvement as well, including Room at the Table, a community-wide dialogue over dinner, and the School of Social Work Annual Justice Lecture. In addition, AEA Scholars in their second year offer a professional development Salon dedicated to the topic of aging, and publicly present the findings from their MSW Clinical Research Projects. University of Maine Specialized Structure: Certificate The University of Maine School of Social Work, in conjunction with the University of Maine Center on Aging, offers a Certificate in Leadership in Rural Gerontological Practice. This program consists of specialized preparation for graduate level social work students and advanced undergraduates preparing for careers as leaders in gerontological practice in Maine and beyond. It maintains a special focus on the challenges and opportunities for gerontological social workers in small towns and rural communities. Certificate components and requirements include: Demonstration of a basic understanding of gerontological practice and aging issues in foundation-level courses Participation in geriatric field rotations in the foundation year Completion of selected assignments informed by geriatric practice competencies in advanced practice, policy, and research courses Completion of an advanced internship at an approved Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education (HPPAE) Consortium member agency Participation in the Community Geriatric Leadership Mentor Program Participation in an ongoing, electronic gerontological practice bulletin board with students, faculty, and practitioners Completion of a specialty course, Advanced Gerontological Practice and Leadership in Rural Communities, designed especially for the Certificate Program

7 Working with a faculty gerontologist serving as a field liaison/academic advisor during the advanced year Since its inception in 2009, approximately 15 students have enrolled in the certificate program each year, with the first cohort of 6 graduating students completing all the requirements at the end of the academic year. University of Pennsylvania Specialized Structure: Concentration The University of Pennsylvania has developed the Penn Aging Concentration (PAC) in partnership with a consortium of community agencies and annually prepares ten MSW Aging Fellows in their advanced year for clinical or macro social work careers. The overall aims are to: 1. Increase the number of MSW students choosing a career in gero-social work. 2. Enhance student skill competency in geriatric social work practice and policy in order to improve service delivery to a diverse older adult population. As part of a required curriculum, some of the key areas of focus for students include geriatric bio-psycho-spiritual-social assessment, health, mental health, substance abuse, caregiving, care coordination models, brief psychotherapy (e.g. Problem Solving Therapy-CBT), home and community-based care, and policy analysis and evaluation. Multi-disciplinary and multi-agency rotational aging field seminars led by the Fellows are held each semester to orient students to different populations and organizations delivering aging services. To enhance knowledge, Geriatric Grand Rounds are held during the academic year. An annual capstone aging leadership project is developed and implemented by the student cohort. The PAC program also provides stipends to attract students to gerontology. University of Utah University of Utah s Social Work in Aging emphasis, launched in Fall 2010, incorporates several new aging-related courses and expands one that is already in place. The emphasis builds on the gero-infused MSW foundation curriculum and complements the advanced curricula in the four 2 nd year practice domains mental health, health, public service, and forensic social work. Students in the emphasis use their elective course choices and their practica to deepen their knowledge and skills in preparation for a career focused on work with older adults and their families in multiple service settings such as geriatric health and mental health centers, hospitals, home care agencies, long-term-care facilities, multipurpose senior centers, retirement communities, welfare planning bodies and age-related organizations working for policy change. Required courses include Social Work with Older Adults (2 credits) and Aging Policy and Service Delivery (1 credit) offered fall semester and Chronic Illness in Older Adults: A Family Centered Social Work Perspective (1 credit) and Mental Health Issues with Older Adults: Evidence Based Approaches (1 credit) offered spring semester. Students also complete an additional credit hour in one of the following courses: Interdisciplinary Approach to End of Life / Palliative Care, Interdisciplinary Seminar: Aging, and Aging-related Independent Study.

8 Yeshiva University Specialized Structure: Certificate Yeshiva University is in the process of developing a Certificate in Aging. A Working Committee composed of four faculty members meets bi-weekly to monitor and accelerate the developing Certificate program. The development of the Certificate option has led to the creation of two new courses, Social Gerontology Practice II with a focus on practice only and Palliative Care with Older Persons. The challenges have been to: increase the number of students in the program include all gero competencies in new, required, and elective courses and to include gero competencies in skill development in Field work experiences To combat these challenges, the Certificate courses have been opened to MSW students and also to alumni interested in working with older persons. This policy has received positive responses from both alumni and current students. A rigorous marketing approach has also been adopted to motivate faculty to teach and to encourage students to enroll in aging courses. A strict evaluation process also ensures that gero competencies are included and that gero knowledge expands.