By Paul R. Pace, News staff
In the past several decades, Barbara Silverstone, an NASW Social Work Pioneer® and leader in the field of aging, said she became increasingly alarmed by two trends: the diminution of the role of supervisor and the acceleration of de-professionalization in social services to older adults and their families.
Silverstone
She developed and implemented a Supervisory Leaders in Aging training model in New York City in 2009 to help reverse these trends.
“Increasing numbers of trained social workers will be needed in services to older adults and their families given the demographic trends under way,” Silverstone said. “In a field where social services are often delivered by untrained staff, MSW supervisors are essential.”
To expand the program to other regions, The John A. Hartford Foundation has donated $1 million in funding to the NASW Foundation for three years to host SLA trainings through NASW chapters in New York City, Florida, Illinois and Maryland.
There are currently 73 graduates of the trainings since the NASW/John A. Hartford Foundation collaboration began two years ago. The goal is 160 over the three years of the grant.
Participants enhance their teaching skills to guide practice with older adults and their families, build leadership proficiency and benefit from ongoing peer support and from practice, research and policy updates through the SLA network.
The program offers five full days of training, scheduled biweekly over a 10-week period.
Training for the next phase began in New York City this fall. Trainings for spring 2017 will take place at the following chapters and dates:
Florida: March 2, 16, & 30; April 6 & 20
Illinois: March 10 & 24; April 7 & 21; May 5
Maryland: March 7 & 21; April 4 & 25; May 9.
From the November 2016 NASW News. NASW members can read the full story here.
