The Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education

Innovations in Geriatric Education: Considering Cross-Disciplinary Applications of the HPPAE Model

Emma BarkerSocial Work Leadership Institute

at the New York Academy of Medicine

Workforce Projections

US faces critical shortage of all health care providers working with aging persons, including social workers

NIA projected need of 60,000 to 70,000 geriatric social workers by 2020

Estimated number of social workers in long term care settings projected to increase from 36,000 in 2002 to 109,000 by 2050

Currently less than 4% of social workers specialize in aging

NIA, 1987; BLS 2004; IOM 2008

Social Work and The Aging Population

75% of social workers report that they have older adults (55 years and older) in their caseloads

24% of social workers report that older adults comprise at least 50% of their caseloads.

93% of social workers with practice area in aging report that clients “always” or “almost always” present with multiple problems

Presenting problems: psychosocial issues, mental illness, chronic disease, physical disability, and grief/bereavement issues

NASW Center for Workforce Studies, 2006

A university-community partnership based on a collaborative educational model

Recruits MSW students to specialize in aging

Plays leadership role in national efforts to advance aging education in social work

Employs competency-based training

Offers a unique rotational approach to field education

What is the HPPAE?What is the HPPAE?

HPPAE Six Essential Components

University-Community Partnerships

Competency-driven education

Field rotations

Expanded field instructor role

Student recruitment

Leadership

www.socialworkleadership.org

Goals of the HPPAE

The Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education Adoption Initiative (HPPAE) is a twelve year initiative to:

1. Educate over 2,600 social workers to work with older adults, and

2. Establish the HPPAE as the norm for MSW programs.

HPPAE Outcomes

The HPPAE is in 33 states with a total of 88 programs graduating over 2,600 students in spring 2012

92% of HPPAE graduates completing the Career Tracking survey were employed with 75% in age-related positions

Student satisfaction high for achieving learning goals and with rotational model for internships

89% of schools reported that the HPPAE model benefited their social work school

Schools have been able to redirect resources to keep program in place

Fundraising for sustainability has mainly focused on supporting student stipends

University – Community Partnership

www.socialworkleadership.org

Builds linkages to cultivate collaborative relationships for universities, community agencies, students and older adults

Important in keeping education relevant to current knowledge and needs of older adults and the agencies that serve them

Agency commitment to education of future professionals

Partner with the school of social work to develop HPPAE

Responsibilities of University-Community Partnership

www.socialworkleadership.org

Guide student learning Support for Field Instructors

Seminars Courses

Oversight of overall program Discuss and agree on rotationsTie gerontology competencies to student's learning goals Conduct joint student seminars

What is a rotation?

www.socialworkleadership.org

The moving of students in a planned and systematic fashion from one field setting to another in order to ensure that they experience the range of practice arenas, service delivery systems, and client populations.

(Cuzzi, Holden, Rutter, et. al. 1996)

Why Rotations?

www.socialworkleadership.org

Increase interns’ exposure to: The continuum of services for seniors – from healthy to end of

life The Individuals’ multiple, chronic conditions both health and

behavioral Different points of entry for diverse needs and diverse population The complexity of the entire service delivery system

Encourage collaboration between agencies or departmentsImportance of working in interprofessional teamsOpportunity to study the importance of integrating carePrepares students to be advocates based on best practices

Rotation Models

www.socialworkleadership.org

HPPAE Focus on Competency-Based Education

Competency based education is one of HPPAE six essential components

Gero-competencies provide clear expectations of knowledge, values and skills

Competency tools are used to set individual student learning goals and to substantiate the student’s ability to self-assess.

“Field Instructor Version of the GSW Competency Scale II” used to evaluate student’s pre- and post-test skill set.

HPPAE and Masters level Social Work Education

Practice areas based in geriatric competencies developed by SWLI

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited MSW programs utilize these competencies

Other professions are moving in direction of competencies

www.socialworkleadership.org

VHA/GRECC and HPPAE

VA is the largest employer of social workers in the country with10,000 social workers

Interprofessional education with all VA programs

Strong clinical practice with professional values and skills

Major contributor to social work education and training

Research on psychosocial issues and treatment

Close collaboration with community partners

MSW students receive stipend from VHA/GRECC while enrolled in HPPAE program in schools of social work

VHA/GRECC & HPPAE: A Collaborative Framework

(VHA/GRECC) Network

Support leadership at the local VHA/GRECC

Support VHA/GRECC collaboration with local schools of Social Work

Initiative spreading through all 20 VHA/GRECCs across country and greater VA system

Expanding expert network supporting workforce development

Support and Technical Training

Communications Outreach/information sharing

Webinars Conference calls

Mentors Technical Assistance

On-site Materials (HPPAE Manual) Via Web

www.socialworkleadership.org and www.hartfordpartnership.org

HPPAE Student and Alumni Resources

HPPAE Google Site Committee on

Leadership in Aging (CLIA)

HPPAE Happenings Newsletter

GENERATIVITY – online journal

Communications and Outreach committee

HPPAE Google Site Job opportunities Professional materials Events, conferences Calls for papers

HPPAE National Advisory Panel

Paula Allen-Meares, University of Illinois at Chicago and IOM – Co-Chair Katharine Briar-Lawson, University at Albany, SUNY – Co-Chair Marla Berg-Wegener, St. Louis University JoAnn Damron-Rodriguez, UCLA School of Public Affairs Ronnie Glassman, Yeshiva University Robyn Golden, Rush University Medical Center Roberta Greene, University of Texas, Austin Lenard Kaye, University of Maine Betty Malks, Community Representative Nora O’Brien, Hartford Foundation Mike Patchner, Indiana University Susan Reinhard, Public Policy Institute, AARP Ginger Robbins, University of Houston Stacey Sanders, Student Representative Karen Teigiser, University of Chicago