| Success |
Measures |
| I. Recruitment and training geriatric social work leaders |
- 323 students were recruited and trained in aging specialist program (PPP) between 2000 and 2003.
- The numbers of PPP students continue to grow with the capacity for 112 students annually in the sustained PPPs.
- During this time, PPP students were diverse: more than half were from different ethnic groups and spoke multiple languages.
- There were statistically significant gains in students' aging-related knowledge and skills working with older adults.
- PPP students reported high satisfaction with the PPP experience (94% overall) and most said they would recommend it to other students (92%).
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| II. Employment of geriatric social work leaders in the Aging field |
- 80% of the PPP students were employed in the field of aging at 4 months post-graduation.
- The top five work settings of those employed at 4 months were: hospitals, care/case management, social service agency, mental health, and public policy/advocacy.
- 93% of PPP graduates were employed 1-2 years post graduation, with 83% working full-time and 80% employed in aging.
- Graduates reported involvement in professional activities as follows: 76% were members of NASW, 45% were members of aging-related organizations, 38% were involved in leadership activities (included members of boards and committees, presenters at conferences, teaching, mentoring).
- 98% of graduates found the PPP experience "highly valuable" as it related to their current professional work.
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| III. Development of aging-enriched field education model |
- Five essential elements of the model were defined, described, and measured.
- Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale I was developed and tested for reliability and validity.
- GSWC Scale II, an improved instrument, has been piloted and is currently being tested.
- The Field Instructors' Version of the GSWC Scale has been developed and is currently being piloted.
- The PPP Manual, which describes implementation of the PPP model, has been created and is being finalized for distribution.
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| IV. Institutionalize aging-enriched field education in MSW programs |
- 11 universities have successfully implemented and sustained the model.
- 98 agencies were included in PPP partnership across the sites.
- There was a 41% growth in partnerships between aging agencies and PPP universities
- There was a 20% growth in master's level social work students who specialized in aging, and a 15% enrollment growth in aging-specific classes
- Agencies reported positive outcomes from participation in PPP partnerships.
- Universities rated the level of institutionalization in their universities and communities as high.
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| V. Dissemination of the aging-enriched field education model |
- Ten new schools of social work were competitively awarded PPP support and are initializing the implementation of the model.
- Multiple articles and presentations at scientific meetings have reported on the model.
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