Ripples
The e-Newsletter of the Geriatric Social Work Initiative (GSWI)

Volume 1, Issue 6
October 17, 2003

Welcome to Ripples, an e-newsletter designed to keep interested deans and directors, faculty members, students, practitioners and others informed about the work of the Geriatric Social Work Initiative (GSWI). We welcome your feedback and encourage you to contribute any story ideas, stories, resources, news and other content to subsequent issues of the newsletter. To make a contribution, please contact Ashley Groth at agroth@geron.org.

Second National Gerontological Social Work Conference
To be Held in Conjunction with the CSWE's 50th Annual Program Meeting

The Council on Social Work Education's Strengthening Aging and Gerontology Education for Social Work (SAGE-SW) project, funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation, is pleased to announce the second National Gerontological Social Work Conference, sponsored by the John a. Hartford Foundation, to be held in conjunction with CSWE's 50th Annual Program Meeting, February 27 - March 1, 2004, in Anaheim, CA.

Educators, field supervisors, students and practitioners all will be able to share research, curriculum, and program information that advance aging-related knowledge and competence among those preparing the profession's future practitioners. Because the National Gerontological Social Work Conference is being held in conjunction with the CSWE APM, one registration fee provides access to sessions and exhibits at both conferences. More than 2,000 attendees are expected at both conferences.

Special opportunities will be provided to interact with participants in all five programs of the Hartford Foundation's Geriatric Social work Initiative (GSWI), including GSWI Faculty Scholars, Doctoral Fellows, Practicum Partnership and Geriatric Enrichment grantees, Faculty Development Institute participants, and others.

For more information, contact Cathy Tompkins (ctompkins@cswe.org). We look forward to seeing you there!

Social Work Coalition Places Key Legislation Language in Appropriations Bill

The National Leadership Coalition, a year-old group under the leadership of Patricia Volland at the New York Academy of Medicine and comprised of leading national organizations, federal agency staff and key individuals in social work, has been successful in its efforts to get language about the social work shortage inserted into this year's Senate appropriations report. Coalition member NASW, under the leadership of Betsy Clark and Dave Dempsey, played a critical role in getting this language incorporated into the bill via Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), a social worker herself. The following was added to Senate Report 108-081, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, 2004:

This language will become increasingly important as the Coalition continues its work to secure public sector funding for social work education in gerontology. Education/service dollars are needed to support strategic initiatives to prepare social workers to work with older adults. The Coalition is exploring multiple sources of federal funding to support student stipends, traineeships, loan deferment opportunities, and resources to strengthen university-community partnerships necessary to provide appropriate education.

The National Association of Deans and Directors, through a Task Force on Aging headed by Drs. Katharine Briar-Lawson and Frank Baskind, was instrumental in the development of the National Leadership Coalition. To learn more about the National Leadership Coalition, please contact Patricia Volland at pvolland@nyam.org.

GSWI Leader Laura Robbins Takes New Position at Atlantic Philanthropies
As of October 20, Laura Robbins, senior program officer at the John A. Hartford Foundation and one of the architects of the Geriatric Social Work Initiative, will become a program executive at Atlantic Philanthropies, heading up Atlantic's aging efforts in the United States. Laura was instrumental in the framing of the GSWI and its programs and has provided steadfast support and dedicated guidance to all of our efforts. Her optimism and indomitable spirit are knitted into all of the work we do on behalf of social work and older adults.

In her many years at Hartford, Laura created national collaborations and funding partnerships to address human capital development issues in key healthcare professions addressing the health and social service needs of older adults. She also has served as evaluation manager for all of Hartford's grant programs. Active in Grantmakers in Aging (GIA), she was Vice President of GIA's board from 1997 to 2001.

While not overjoyed at the prospect of losing Laura as the Hartford person responsible for the GSWI, we are excited that she is taking on another important leadership position in philanthropy and aging. We also don't feel like we are losing her, since once you're part of the GSWI, you're always a part of the GSWI family!

Gero-Curriculum Enthusiast: Molly J. Raney, PhD, LCSW, Assistant Professor at California State University, Long Beach

Recognizing a need for sweeping change to the social work curriculum, the John A. Hartford Foundation is sponsoring the Geriatric Enrichment Program at 67 social work programs at universities and colleges throughout the United States. The three-year program provides guidance and funding for participants to plan, design, and implement changes to the social work curriculum to provide more aging-related content for bachelor's and master's-level social work students. One of the program's most enthusiastic participants is project director Molly J. Ranney, PhD, LCSW, an assistant professor at California State University, Long Beach. Read more.

Research Digest: Outcomes after Home Health Care among Four Racial/Ethnic Groups
A new study featured in The Gerontologist looks at the effects of health outcomes among White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian elders who choose home health care to meet their health needs. As part of a recurring series, GSWI "digests" this research and describes the implications for social work practice. Learn more.

Future Me: Authoring the Second Half of Your Life

Peter Pauper Press recently published a new guided journal by John Beilenson, a consultant to the GSWI, called The Future Me: Authoring the Second Half of Your Life. Elders and elders-to-be can use this attractive resource to begin thinking about the changes - and new chances - that come with getting older. The Future Me offers thought-provoking advice and a wealth of exercises to help you enrich friendships, set out on new adventures, and stay emotionally healthy. For more on the book, order information and sample exercises, click here.

Health Compass: A New Health Literacy Tool

The American Federation for Aging Research and the Merck Institute on Aging and Health recently launched a new online health literacy guide, called "Health Compass." This resource is designed to help educated older adults Seek, Evaluate and Act on research-based health information. Go to the Infoaging.org home page and click on the Health Compass button.

Julia Watkins Named New CSWE director

We at Ripples and the GSWI would like to congratulate Dr. Julia M. Watkins, who was recently named the executive director of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The appointment was made by CSWE President (and GSWI leader) Frank R. Baskind and the Board of Directors. Dr. Watkins will replace Dr. Donald W. Beless, who is retiring after 15 years as executive director. We look forward to her leadership, and of course to CSWE's continuing interest in developing more aging-savvy social workers!

A bit of background...Dr. Watkins served as president of the American University in Bulgaria from August 1993 to June 2003. Previously, she was professor of social work, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and interim vice president for academic affairs at the University of Maine. Dr. Watkins created the University of Maine's baccalaureate social work degree program and laid the groundwork for the master's of social work program. She has also served on the CSWE Commission on Accreditation, on the Publications Committee, and as an accreditation site visitor. Dr. Watkins is an accomplished author, speaker, and researcher in the fields of social policy and gerontology.

Dr. Watkins has served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations, including the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, the Foundation for Local Government Reform, the Rector's Council of Bulgaria, the Board of the New Symphony Orchestra in Sofia, and Rotary International in Bulgaria. She was president of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities from 1998-2000 and president of the Alliance of Universities for Democracy from 2000-2002. Dr. Watkins received a master's degree in social work and a PhD in educational psychology from the University of Utah.

In announcing the appointment, Dr. Frank Baskind said, "Dr. Watkins's rare combination of strong leadership skills and distinguished background in social work education and university administration fits well with CSWE's mission and future plans.

GSWI Funding Opportunities

The Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program, funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation and administered by The Gerontological Society of America, supports outstanding doctoral students at the dissertation stage. Fellows receive a two-year $40,000 dissertation grant, as well as academic career consultation and leadership development. Fellows attend the annual meetings of The Gerontological Society of America and the Council of Social Work Education where special pre-conference institutes are offered. Two selection cycles are available for the coming year: February 2, 2004 & August 2, 2004. Dr. James Lubben, Program Director. For more information, click here.

The Hartford Faculty Scholars Program, funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation and administered by The Gerontological Society of America, is designed for outstanding faculty committed to teaching, research and leadership in geriatric social work. Scholars receive a two-year $100,000 grant, participate in institutes and workshops to enhance their research, teaching and leadership skills, and conduct a research project focused on improving geriatric health care outcomes. Scholars are paired with a National Research Mentor and a school-based sponsor who support their professional leadership and research career development. The next deadline for applications: February 2, 2004. Dr. Barbara Berkman, Program Director. For more information, click here.

Research Training in Aging and Social Work, an NIA-supported program provides advanced training in aging research to social work faculty. Participants develop knowledge and skills in research methodology and have the opportunity for extended contact with distinguished visiting professors and NIA staff. They attend an initial institute (July 11-21) at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, develop a research proposal over the following year, and return to Minnesota for a midyear meeting in the winter and a follow-up institute in July to share their progress and to receive feedback. Completed applications, curriculum vitae, and support letters must be submitted by April 15, 2004. Dr. Barbara Berkman and Dr. Chandra Mehrotra are co-program directors. For more information, contact Dr. Mehrotra (cmehrotr@css.edu).

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