Application Process
Practicum Partnership Program
Introduction
The Practicum Partnership Program (hereafter, PPP), began through a grant from the Hartford Foundation to encourage social work students to pursue geriatric skills, practice and competence and to alter the manner in which schools of social work develop future professionals to work with an aging society. The original sites developed a model for education. When the Hartford Foundation—through the Social Work Leadership Institute of the New York Academy of Medicine—decided to expand the project to include more schools of social work, the University of Pittsburgh become a Cycle 1 site to further develop and refine that model. The University of Pittsburgh is one of only a few sites using a two year model to develop student competence. In April 2007, the first cohort of students graduated. A second cohort began in January 2007.
The University of Pittsburgh is an ideal site to develop as a professional in aging services. In Allegheny County, the county in which the University is located, 17.8 percent of the population is age 65 or older compared to only 12.5 percent of the national population (2000 Census data). In terms of population growth, we are already ahead of the rest of the country. Since 1980, the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work has offered its master’s level students the opportunity to pursue a Certificate in Gerontology. In addition to committed social work faculty, leaders in geriatric research, psychiatry and medicine teach and publish at this institution.
In 2004, almost three-fourths (73%) of licensed social workers reported serving some older adults, with 24 percent of them serving caseloads comprised of 50 percent or more older adults (Center for Health Workforce Studies, 2006). Only 12 percent of these social workers identified aging as their practice area. Forty-three percent identified mental health and 18 percent health care as their practice areas. These findings point to a need to provide knowledge and skills in aging to all social work students as they will serve an aging clientele. The PPP allows more than an introduction in classes to aging but in-depth training and leadership development.
The term “Partnership” in PPP reflects that community agencies have joined the University of Pittsburgh in this effort. Our current partners include:
· Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging
· AgeWell (a partnership of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Jewish Community Center and Jewish Association on Aging)
· Presbyterian SeniorCare
· Southwest Pennsylvania Partnership on Aging
· UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Benedum Geriatric Center
· UPMC Senior Care Institute at Shadyside Hospital
· Ursuline Services, Inc.
· Veteran’s Administration of Pittsburgh
They share our vision of creating skilled professionals and have committed resources, such as staff time, teaching opportunities and funding. The partner agencies sponsor the field experiences offered in this program.
Through completion of geriatric course work and field-based learning at the partner sites, participation in the PPP offers students a competency-based education to prepare them to be both practitioners and leaders in the field of aging.
Advantages to PPP participation include:
à Rotation-based field experiences allow students to understand the breadth of services and the diversity of needs in the aging population.
à Opportunities to learn from outstanding faculty and community leaders.
à Opportunity to carry out a community level project with PPP peers.
à Student seminars and experiences running concurrently with field work.
à Development of leadership skills
à Stipends for field work.
à Affiliation and networking with the Social Work Leadership Institute through New York Academy of Medicine and the Hartford Foundation.
à Opportunities to apply for fellowships and awards for research.
à Opportunity to pursue a gerontology certificate.
à Contacts to and networking with leaders and organizations serving older adults in Western Pennsylvania.
Eligibility Requirements and Responsibilities
à Master’s level social work student
o Full-time student
o Good academic standing
o Interest in Direct Practice
o No history of criminal activities or problems obtaining clearances
à Demonstrated ability to work well with others
à Commitment to participate in evaluation of this educational model
à Commitment to complete geriatric course work
à Willingness to have field experiences at partner agencies
à Willingness to switch academic advisors.
Application Process and Timeline*
à Complete and submit application by late August
o Application form
o Personal statement
o Resume
à Interview in early September
à Award letters to students by mid September
à Acceptance by students late September
à Orientation Seminar in October
à Start of foundation placement, Oct. 15.
*Exact dates will be published each year.
Application for Admission to the Geriatric Practicum Partnership Project
Last Name First Name Middle Name
Student Number E-mail Address
Current Mailing Address:
Street (Apartment)
City State Zip Phone
Permanent Mailing Address:
Street (Apartment.)
City State Zip Phone
Are there clearance, criminal record, or employment issues that may impact your ability to participate in this program (circle one)? YES NO
If yes, please explain:
List any volunteer, employment, and personal experiences related to working with older adults and their family members (you may attach another piece of paper if necessary):
List any academic courses or training that you have completed or are enrolled in that would be relevant to working with older adults and their family members:
STATEMENT OF INTEREST IN THE GERIATRIC PRACTICUM PARTNERSHIP PROJECT: In no more than 2 pages, please discuss why you would like to participate in this practicum experience. What attracts you to this project? What strengths do you bring that can be engaged in this learning experience? What do you hope to gain from the experience? How will it contribute to your achieving your career goals?
Please attach a copy of a current resume.
Statement of Understanding: If I am offered a spot to participate in the PPP and choose to take it, I agree to commit to the program for the remainder of my master’s studies, to take gerontology courses, to accept field placements at partner agencies, to participate in the student seminar and project, and to complete program evaluations.
Please note: This Practicum Partnership Program requires that you complete field work at facilities external to the University, and such facilities will or may require a criminal background check, an ACT 33/34 clearance, and perhaps a drug screen to determine whether you are qualified to participate in the field experience. If you are unable to meet these criteria, we cannot accept you into this program.
Permission to Contact References: Your signature here allows us to contact your references, access your student file and/or faculty and share information about your background with project staff and potential field instructors with Practicum Partnership Program.
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___________________
Submit completed applications no later than August 31 to Ms. Beth Mulvaney (mailbox located in 2117 Cathedral of Learning)