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Civic Engagement & Older Americans
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The general election is only a few days away and the most controversial policy debates in this election involve services provided to older adults. As the largest voting block, baby boomers have the ability to shape the political landscape starting with the next four years. For this reason, it is important for older Americans to remain civically engaged. For more information on civic and political engagement among older adults, and issues that will impact the aging population check out our homepage.
In This Issue:
Upcoming Deadlines
Announcements
Research & News
Funding Opportunities
Resources
Policy
Upcoming Deadlines
Early Bird Registration Deadline for SSWR Ends December 7th
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Announcements
The Geriatric Social Work Initiative: Celebrating Thirteen Years of Visionary Leadership
This year we are celebrating the impact of the Geriatric Social Work Initiative (GSWI) over the last thirteen years. The GSWI has trained academic leaders to teach, mentor, and conduct cutting-edge research; prepared and sustained a cadre of talented doctoral students; developed aging-rich field education models; and promoted the “gerontologizing” of curriculum. Explore the numerous education sessions involving GSWI participants at the Council on Social Work Education and Gerontological Society of America fall conferences by opening the links provided below.
GSA: http://gswi.org/GSA2012.html
CSWE: http://www.cswe.org/CentersInitiatives/GeroEdCenter/Events/gerotrack/59446.aspx
It should be noted that while the information listed on these web pages is accurate to the knowledge of the GSWI staff, changes may occur that affect the date or time of the sessions. We strongly encourage you to consult the Conference Programs to confirm all details.
New Cohort of Leadership Academy in Aging Announced
In partnership with the National Association of Deans and Directors (NADD) the New York Academy of Medicine’s Social Work Leadership Institute (SWLI) is launching the 5th cohort of the Leadership Academy in Aging (LAA) in fall 2012. Forty – three deans and directors have already completed the LAA. The Academy is designed to further leadership development, strengthen aging related educational programs and support expanded roles for deans/directors in broader community and policy initiatives. The current cohort of deans and directors brings the total number of participating schools to 53. To find out more click here.
Gero-Ed Track at APM
The Gero-Ed Track will feature a variety of exciting events at this year’s CSWE Annual Program Meeting (APM), including the Gero-Ed Track Kick-Off on addictions and aging, the annual AGESW reception that will celebrate 13 years of the Geriatric Social Work Initiative (GSWI), and numerous education sessions. For sessions that involve our GSWI alumni, refer to our GSWI Sessions Web page.
New Gerontology Education Consultants Service
The Gero-Ed Center has a new, free consultation service designed to help faculty prepare students to work with older adults and their families. Visit the Gero-Ed Consultants Web page for more information and to download a consultant roster.
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Research & News
Transition to Better Care Video Contest
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is sponsoring a video contest as part of its Care About Your Care campaign, a national effort to spark conversation and galvanize attention about what people can do to identify and receive better health care. Simply create a video no longer than two minutes that shares a specific innovative way you, your family, health care provider, or colleague(s) have worked to ensured safe care transitions and reduce avoidable readmissions. The submission deadline is November 17, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For complete submission instructions, click here. To review contest judging criteria and submission requirements, click here.
RespectAbility in America: Guiding Principles for Civic Engagement among Adults 55+
Adults 55 years of age and older are the country’s fastest growing and most significant human resource for creating the futures we envision to keep our communities vital. Vital communities embrace intergenerational solutions to human needs and are proactive in creating a community that supports positive aging in place. Beginning in 2005, the RespectAbility Initiative at the National Council on Aging (NCOA) issued a national call to identify the most promising practices in civic engagement among adults 55+. In-depth research of civic engagement initiative yielded rich insights into effective strategies for tapping older adults as a 21st century national resource to help solve critical community needs. To learn more about NCOA’s results click here.
What the Economy Means for Voters 50+
AARP conducted a phone survey to learn more about how older adults view the nation’s economic recession and slow recovery. Issues such as retirement security, and access to Medicare and Social Security were among the most anxiety-inducing topics. To learn more about how that anxiety will impact older voters and more about ARRP’s survey results click here.
As more employers drop coverage, retirees turn to specialized insurance exchanges
In the past 20 years, the number of companies that provide retiree health coverage has dropped dramatically, leaving seniors with the difficult task of choosing among a variety of plans to supplement their Medicare benefits. It is a choice that can be confusing and has large financial implications. However, a move by some employers is softening the blow. They are contracting with companies that operate insurance marketplaces, called exchanges, where Medicare-eligible retirees can enroll in plans to replace what they used to get from the employer. To learn more about how this process works, click here.
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Funding Opportunities
Health Care Law Increases Access to Primary Care Through the National Health Service Corps
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced that $229.4 million was invested in the National Health Service Corps in 2012 to support more doctors and nurses and increase access to primary care. These investments included nearly 4,600 loan repayment and scholarship awards to clinicians and students, and grants to 32 states to support state loan repayment programs. The National Health Service Corps provides financial, professional and educational resources to medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health care providers who bring their skills to areas of the United States with limited access to health care. With nearly 10,000 providers, the National Health Service Corps has nearly tripled since 2008. In addition to Corps clinicians currently providing care, nearly 1,000 students, residents, and health providers receive scholarships or participate in the Student to Service Loan Repayment program to prepare to practice. Additional information on this announcement is available here ; For more information about NHSC programs, please visit http:/www.NHSC.hrsa.gov.
For additional funding opportunities, click here to visit the GSWI website.
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Resources
Administration on Aging’s Civic Engagement Initiative
AoA’s Civic Engagement page provides several useful resources that can help older adults not only become more politically engaged, but also get involved in volunteer opportunities to help expand their social circles. To check out the information provided by AoA, click here.
Fast Facts: Civic Engagement and Older Adults
The National Governors’ Association has put together a quick fact sheet about civic engagement among older adults. Learn about the demographics of volunteerism and some of the potential benefits by reading the fact sheet.
Urban Institutes’ Civic Engagement at Older Ages Research Archive
Urban Institute has compiled an archive of their research regarding older adults and civic engagement. From topics ranging from volunteer retention strategies, to how civically engaged older adults are more receptive of caregiving, Urban Institute provides a diverse resource of information. To check out the different studies and articles click here.
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Policy
AARP’s 2012 Voters’ Guide
AARP’s Voters’ Guide for 2012 discusses the big policy issues that are up for debate in this current presidential campaign. By shedding light on the candidate’s stances on programs such as Medicare, AARP hopes to inform older voters about the issues. Click here to check out the guide, and additional resources related to policy issues can be found on AARP’s Public Policy Institute webpage.
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