Our Work
POLICY ADVOCACY
State-Level Initiatives
SWLI’s work at the state level includes:
New York
SWLI is partnering with the New York State Department of Health and the State Office on Aging, We are working to develop a successful blueprint for improving older adult care in New York State. As part of this process, we are analyzing care models nationwide and engaging social workers, nurses, doctors, and other service providers in roundtable discussions to build consensus for standards for comprehensive care coordination and a qualified workforce to deliver that care. This model process is already being replicated by other states nationwide.
California
SWLI is partnering with the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC), the nation's largest state coalition of social work educators and practitioners, to address the shortage of geriatric social workers in the Golden State, including organizing a statewide legislative hearing on the issue, affecting legislation that would extend loan forgiveness for aging care professionals, and exploring scholarships, stipends and other incentives to attract students to the field.
Coalition Building
SWLI builds coalitions and partners with government to support care coordination efforts. We’re working with the American Society on Aging (ASA) policy analysts and researchers to advance to advance policies and models that promote care coordination in health and long-term care.
Legislative Advocacy
We advocate for national and state policies that coordinate and improve care for older adults and strengthen the healthcare workforce - including caregivers, the backbone of geriatric care. We support bills that:
- Authorize support for the national family caregiver support program;
- Allow a tax credit for caregivers of family members with long-term care needs;
- Provide help to caregivers of frail older people and people with disabilities;
- Prohibit Social Security penalties for those who leave their careers to care for a parent; and
- Expand Public Health Services Corp’s loan forgiveness program to recruit new professionals to be trained to work with older adults
- Expand a promising care model for Medicare patients known as "medical home," which pairs patients with personal physicians backed by a team of healthcare professionals.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Hartford Partnership Program in Aging Care (HPPAE)
The Hartford Partnership Program in Aging Care (HPPAE) is a 12-year initiative to recruit and train the next generation of social workers who specialize in aging by transforming how geriatric education is taught at Masters of Social Work programs nationwide.
Funded with support from the John A. Hartford Foundation, the program is anchored by local partnerships between universities and community-based agencies that serve older adults. At its heart is a unique fieldwork model that rotates students through different agencies so they gain a rich perspective of the full spectrum of aging and of the diverse services that older adults and their care givers need. To date, 72 programs have been funded in 33 states and 80% of HPPAE graduates have gone to pursue careers in the field of aging.
Developing Competencies
In addition to the competencies outlined in the HPPAE model, the Social Work Leadership Institute also partners with the following groups:
- National Association of Social Workers to develop an online training course based on competencies.
- AARP, Family Caregivers Alliance and the Center for Social Work Education to develop competencies for social workers and nurses to work with family caregivers.
- The New York State Department of Health to establish standards and qualifications for healthcare professionals providing comprehensive care coordination for older adults.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Improving aging care today and into the future takes leaders. This is why leadership development is an essential part of all SWLI’s work.We are developing initiatives to strengthen and positioning deans and directors of social work, geriatric care professors, researchers, students, field directors, field instructors and other practitioners as leaders on aging care workforce issues and improving services to older adults.
In partnership with the National Association of Deans and Directors, we have launched the Leadership Academy of Aging, for deans and directors of social work. The academy is four intensive training sessions over a year-long period where participants will strengthen their skills in management, fundraising, student recruitment, legislative outreach, and other areas.
RESEARCH
Evidence Database
The Evidence Database is a an online, searchable clearinghouse of the latest research, programs, and other innovations in aging care, from health care and social services to workforce issues. Its purpose is to provide researchers, policymakers and others with evidence to inform policy change and advance research to improve care for older adults and grows a stronger aging care workforce.
Research Projects
SWLI is currently spearheading research projects with the following partners:
- Stony Brook University on an evaluation of a pilot program for New York State that places health professionals specially trained in geriatric care coordination to provide home-centered, community-based care for home-bound older adults.
- Rush University Medical Center in Illinois on an evaluation of its Transitions in Care program, a post-discharge care coordination program provided by hospital social workers.
- The Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University at Albany on a pilot study to examine the supply and demand for social workers who specialize in aging in New York State. The study will be used by policymakers and others for workforce development purposes.
