Misson

As the demographic of age dramatically shifts in society, the LUC School of Social Work is actively responding through educational programming, research, scholarship and service to older adults and their families.

The mission of the Institute for Aging and Intergenerational Studies and Practice is to support faculty and student research, scholarship, training and service in the field of aging and work with older adults and their families. The mission of the Institute is consistent with both the University mission as well as the School of Social Work mission.  Central to the mission of the University is the expansion of knowledge in the  service to humanity through learning, justice and faith. the intention of the Insitute is to develop a learning environment for faculty, students, alumni and community members in order to enhance understanding of older adults and intitiate actions that serve to improe the quality of life for older members of society and their families.  Members of the Institute fulfill this objective through research, practice and policy development.  Faculty are actively involved in the pursuit of knowledge to enhance the lives of those who face barriers and challenges of age as well as promotion of those opprotutnities that facilitye healthy aging.  The Institute faculty focus on populations of intergenerational families including diversity of cultural and religious affiliations, family styles, economic conditions, and health challenges. The mission of the School of Social Work is fulfilled through the collaborative and interdisciplinary focus. The Institute is a place for study, research, training and partnership with other agencies and universities in order to foster collaborative efforts in research, programs and services. The Institute would facilitate partnerships between university and community to apply for and secure funds for research and training.

The following goals of the Institute for Aging and Intergenerational Studies and Practice revolve around the coordination of efforts to stimulate (funded) research, education and service to older adults and their families.

1. Support efforts of faculty and students to write and obtain grants/financial resources to study the complex problems of intergenerational families and older adults. These may include development and evaluation of direct clinical services as well as impact of policy. Current funded research from John A. Harford is in collaboration with University of Chicago School Social Service and Administration and the Scholl Foundation is a collaborative effort with the Law School.

2. Create continuing education programs for alumni, professionals and the community working with the older population and their families, resulting in a Certificate in Intergenerational Families.

3. Create consultation services to agencies in the community to train staff to respond to the shifting needs of families with older adults by providing forms of supervision and training to community agencies.  The SSW is currently addressing requests from community long-term care facilities like Shoreline Place.

4. Provide internships for students to enhance their skills, competencies and knowledge of families across the continuum of care through practice, research and policy development.  Sustain the current Professional Practicum Partnership with the University of Chicago that is funded by Hartford Foundation.

In fulfillment of the stated purpose, several educational opportunities were planned. 

The Summer Institute on Aging took place in July 2009. The focus was on Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse.  Dr. Teresa Kilbane worked with Marcia Spira to develop and teach this interdisciplinary program.  The four-day course was offered to 50 law and social work students with excellent reviews.

Jeanne Sokolec and Marcia Spira were awarded funds from CSWE to implement Gerospecialization/certificate program.  This 5-course specialization will be offered to BSW and MSW students in the next year and will progress to an offering for postmaster’s students.  More to come on this program as the courses will be vetted through Curriculum and the Faculty.

A new series on Challenges of Intergenerational Families has been launched. The first of the series took place on October 16.  The focus was on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Twenty-two social workers, lawyers, students and prospective students attended. As a result of this program, we are creating a list serve of interested individuals in order to create community partnerships for further study and research in this area.  Terri Kilbane moderated a panel and Marcia Spira developed the program and lectured.  Adjunct faculty, Sharon Williams also participated and lectured. 

More programs and research projects are being discussed among the affiliated faculty and specific reports will follow in coming months. 

Seventh Annual Summer Institute on Aging


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