Social work department to attend institute

Submitted by Anita Hartmann
Phone: 474-2633
02/16/05

The Social Work Department at UAF’s College of Liberal Arts has recently been accepted as one of 10 programs to participate in the Curriculum Development Institutes for the National Center for Gerontological Social Work Education, funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation.

UAF’s Social Work Department, chaired by Judy Shepherd, is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and offers a B.A. degree in social work that can be distance-delivered statewide. The department also coordinates the Northern Region programs of Alaska’s Statewide Geriatric Education Center, funded by Health Resources and Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Northern Region GEC program director, Denise Daniello, will be among the faculty participating in the CDI. Acceptance included an award of funds to assist with members’ travel to the institute.

"Administrative support for your faculty members’ participation was a critical factor in the success of your program’s application," wrote Dr. Nancy Hooyman and Dr. Julia Watkins, co-signatories to the letter of acceptance sent to Phyllis Morrow, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. The letter also stated, "We have learned from the Hartford Geriatric Enrichment Program that the dean or director’s support is essential to success"|"?

The Curriculum Development Institutes are a new model for creating and sustaining curricular and organizational change. They aim to ensure that all social work graduates acquire foundation gerontological competencies, rather than specialization or electives. CDI participants will be leaders in preparing competent social work graduates to meet the workforce needs of our rapidly aging society.

According to the recent U.S. census, between 1990 and 2000, the population in Alaska of individuals 65 years and older increased by 60 percent; Alaska is now second only to Nevada in the rate of increase in senior population. The John A. Hartford Foundation’s overall goal is to increase the nation’s capacity to provide effective and affordable care to its rapidly increasing elderly population. The Hartford Foundation supports efforts to strengthen the geriatric education of America’s physicians, nurses, and social workers.

To learn more: Geriatric Social Work Initiative
www.gswi.org John A. Hartford Foundation www.jhartfound.org
UAF Social Work Department www.uaf.edu/socwork/programs
Health Resources and Services Administration www.hrsa.gov

CONTACT:
Judy Shepherd, Chair, Department of Social Work, (907)474-5284, ffjes@uaf.edu,
Denise Daniello Program Manager, Northern Region Alaska Geriatric Education Center, (907)456-1380, fndld1@uaf.edu, or
Phyllis Morrow, Dean College of Liberal Arts, (907)474-7231, ffpm@uaf.edu