Social Work with Older Adults
Jean Schuldberg, EdD, LCSW
Hartford Partnership Program in Aging Education - HPPAE (formally Practicum Partnership Program - PPP) Coordinator
The programs addressing gerontology are rapidly
changing at California State University, Chico. The department of Health and Community Service currently provides
the opportunity to acquire a certificate in gerontology.
The School of
Social Work currently administers one program that focuses on gerontology.
Additionally, the School of Social Work offers students in the
field of social work coursework that is now required for state
licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW). This course is Social
Work (SWRK) 674: Policy, Programs,and
Practice for Older Adults (also offered as SWRK 474 for undergraduates).
California State University, Chico is proud to be a member of
the CSU Online Gerontology
Consortium. This is a multi-campus statewide consortium. It
was founded in 2001 as a means to develop and offer online gerontology
courses to students admitted to one member institution who wish
to study at other member institutions via Internet-based courses.
You will want to check The CSU, Chico School of Social Work website
frequently. We will be providing updates on legislation, course
offerings, employment opportunities, and other news applicable
to gerontology.
The School of Social Work
California State University, Chico School of Social Work is a
combined program. Our baccalaureate program began in 1956, and
from 1960-1974 held "constituent membership" and "approved
status" with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
The Program has been fully accredited since 1974 when the Council
changed the terminology to "accreditation." Our graduate
program was fully accredited in 2005.
An intergenerational and life span perspective guides our evaluation
of curricular changes in regard to material on older adults. This
perspective fits well with the School of Social Work and University's
missions, theoretical orientation, and themes. The School's mission
is to educate generalist (BSW) and advanced generalist (MSW) social
workers. The theoretical orientation is systems theory with a
strengths-based perspective. Our themes include multiculturalism,
collaboration, and social justice and equity. Our University mission
includes a focus on collaboration with the community. As a School,
we strive to include the community in our coursework as guest
speakers, field supervisors, adjunct faculty, and curriculum resource
specialists.
Our Growing Population of Older Adults
In 2000 the United States Census reported that there were 35 million
individuals 65 years and older. This is 12.4% of our population.
By the year 2030, when the baby boomers (those born between 1946
and 1964) reach age 65, the older population will more than double
to about 70 million. In the United States the population of those
85 years and older is projected to increase from 4.2 million in
2000 to 8.9 million in 2030. Individuals from cultural communities
are projected to represent 25% of the older population in 2030,
up from 16% in 2000.
California State University, Chico is located in a rural environment,
serving 12 counties in an area the size of Ohio. The percentage
of older adults in our area is 17% in comparison to 10% for the
State of California.
Currently, in their practice roles, over 60% of social workers
interact with older adults and their families. California reportedly
will need 35% more social workers by 2010. Nationally, within
the next five to ten years, 60,000 new social worker trained in
gerontology are needed. With the changing demography, the opportunities
are only expected to increase.
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