Increasing aging and advocacy competency: the intergenerational advocacy pilot project

Area of Science:

• Social Work Education
• Gerontology
• Public Policy

Background:

• The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) aimed to integrate aging content into social work curricula.
• The John A. Hartford Foundation funded the Strengthening Aging and Gerontology Education for Social Work (SAGE-SW) project.
• Partnership with the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) led to the Intergenerational Policy and Advocacy Project (IAP).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot an intergenerational curriculum for social work students.
• To enhance social work students' advocacy skills and positive experiences with older adults.
• To infuse aging content into foundational social work education.

Main Methods:

• A community organization model was used for the curriculum pilot.
• 13 baccalaureate and master's social work programs and 122 students participated.
• Activities included community agency collaboration, policy forums, legislative engagement, and needs assessments.

Main Results:

• Pilot sites implemented the project within existing courses or field practicums.
• Data collected through questionnaires, feedback, and pre-post evaluations.
• Participants reported increased awareness and competency regarding aging issues.

Conclusions:

• The Intergenerational Policy and Advocacy Project (IAP) was deemed successful in its objectives.
• The project effectively promoted intergenerational linkages between social work students and older adults.
• This initiative supports the broader goal of strengthening gerontology education in social work.