The Practicum Partnership Program (PPP) is an eight year project that aims to educate over 1,000 social workers to specialize in working with older adults. In addition, the PPP aims to establish the PPP as the norm for developing leaders in the field of aging in MSW programs across the country. The eight year initiative involves funding 60 MSW programs via a 3 cohort strategy, which is to be implemented in 2 grant cycles. A hiatus between cohorts 2 and 3 will help build leverage for the third cohort and provides an opportunity to fine-tune the PPP and adjust to the foundation's grant making goals.
The PPP demonstration sites were originally funded by the John A Hartford Foundation beginning in 1999. Because of the success of the initial PPP demonstration, as well as the continued shortage of aging-savvy social workers, expansion of the PPP is timely. Already, these six PPPs have educated over 400 aging-savvy social workers. Excitement and momentum for change has been created within these academic and practice communities, and potential for expansion is greatly anticipated.
The PPP demonstration sites successfully tested the concept that, by strengthening field education in MSW programs, more students would elect to be trained to become aging-savvy social workers. The PPPs have also created a network of professionals who are ready to lead the adoption of this initiative at other MSW programs. For PPPs to become the norm across MSW programs, a critical mass needs to be achieved. Achieving this critical mass involves garnering strategic leadership from experienced staff at the Social Work Leadership Institute (SWLI), who will use a competitive, peer-reviewed process to award up to 60 MSW programs modest funding, leveraged by local resources, and supported by robust training and ongoing technical assistance. The work of the SWLI will be guided by a National Advisory Panel (NAP), to ensure that the program's goals and objectives are fully actualized, and that a marketing strategy is developed to encourage PPP adoption by all MSW programs that educate social work leaders in the field of aging.
In coordinating the grants, the SWLI will emphasize and support skill and resource development for all PPP sites. Lessons learned will be reviewed and evaluation conducted throughout the program's administration. Strong empirical evidence that the PPP is an effective mechanism for meeting the needs of older adults, coupled with ongoing leadership training for grantees, will allow for an expanded network of believers. It is hoped that this initiative will promote a successful marketing strategy, encouraging the adoption of PPPs as the norm across MSW programs nationwide.
For more information on how to start up a PPP you can download our manual by clicking here.
