The goal of the PPP is to increase the number of students who specialize in working with older adults by developing aging–rich field internships in graduate social work education programs. Ultimately, the goal is to increase the number of social workers to be leaders in the field of aging.

The program is founded on the belief that the practice community must, of necessity, respond to changing needs in the community more quickly than academia. Therefore, to educate students effectively, both the community agencies and practitioners and academe must work together as educational partners. The benefits of a university-community partnership will have a transforming effect on social work education in geriatrics.

The primary outcomes of the PPP model are:

• Creation and implementation of an excellent field education program for graduate social work students specializing in aging.
• Increased interest in aging as a field of practice among students, due to the intensive effort of faculty, increased presence of practitioners in the universities, collaboration and openness of agencies.
• An increased cadre of well-qualified geriatric social workers available to work in the community.

The PPP model has five essential components, yet it allows MSW programs to tailor their approach to educating students according to the needs, philosophy, and characteristics of their school. The PPP model was developed and refined through 6 demonstration programs (comprising 11 MSW programs) over a four-year period (1999-2003) and has now successfully educated over 400 students, most of whom are remained employed in the social work aging field.