BUSSW’s Institute for Geriatric Social Work Receives Five-Year Continuation Grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies to Strengthen Workforce in Aging
The Institute for Geriatric Social Work (IGSW) at Boston University School of Social Work has just announced receipt of a five-year, $3.1 million grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP) to continue IGSW’s path-breaking efforts in preparing the social services workforce for an aging society. Since it was established with initial funding from AP in 2002, IGSW has become a national leader in provision of post-professional training in aging, improving the practice of social workers and others who care for older people and their families.
“IGSW has made major contributions through educational innovation, research on training effectiveness, and workforce redesign,” said Laura Robbins, programme executive for The Atlantic Philanthropies, “but the need for social service professionals with adequate training in aging remains great. We are pleased to provide ongoing support to IGSW as it continues these important projects while moving to become self-sustaining.”
Over the past six years, IGSW has trained more than 47,000 practitioners in all 50 states and in more than 24 countries and has pioneered regional and statewide workforce development projects. The final capacity-building grant from AP will strengthen IGSW’s leadership in developing innovative online educational programs in aging that are the cornerstone of its workforce projects.
“The workforce of the future will increasingly require access to skill-based educational programs in the workplace,” said Scott Miyake Geron, IGSW director and associate professor at BU School of Social Work. “Much of what we have learned over the past six years has broad application to address the shortage of well-trained professionals that threatens to overwhelm the nation’s capacity to provide basic health and social services to people of all ages. We are grateful for this opportunity to continue and expand our work.”
The Institute for Geriatric Social Work (IGSW) at Boston University is dedicated to advancing social work practice with older adults and their families. IGSW is committed to improving the quality and availability of gerontological social work practice by helping social workers meet the challenges presented by the diverse and growing aging population. IGSW was established in 2002.
The Atlantic Philanthropies are dedicated to bringing about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Their work is aimed at aging, disadvantaged children and youth, population health, and reconciliation and human rights.
About BUSSW:
Distinguished by its urban mission and clinical and macro practice focus, the Boston University School of Social Work is committed to educating masters’ and doctoral level students who will become leaders in a multicultural environment. The School offers the MSW and PhD degrees, as well as continuing professional education, and its nationally recognized faculty has been ranked 8th among schools of social work with doctoral programs. Located in a diverse and academically rich community, the School offers almost unlimited opportunities for urban social work practice and research. Visit bu.edu/ssw for more information.
About Boston University:
Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 30,000 students, it is the fourth largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 colleges and schools along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes which are central to the school’s research and teaching mission.