Developing HPPAE at the Salt Lake City VA/GRECC and the Role of Academic Mentors Marilyn Luptak, PhD, MSW, LICSW Associate Professor & Chair, MSW Aging Concentration University of Utah College of Social Work, Salt Lake City, UT CSWE 2013 Panel Presentation November 2, 2013 Enhancing Social Work Field Education in Aging: A VA/GRECC & HPPAE Collaboration

SLC VA/GRECC HPPAE: Context University of Utah (UU) College of Social Work (CSW) has long-term relationships with SWLI, CSWE Gero-Ed Center, and JAHF o HPPAE site ; continued the model via the College’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program after funding ended o MSW Aging in Social Work emphasis developed with Gero-Ed Center support o Additional benefits One of three VA/GRECC HPPAE pilot sites (Cohort 1) launched in 2012

Operationalizing HPPAE’s Essential Components at the SLC VA/GRECC University-Community Partnerships Competency-driven education Field rotations Expanded field instructor role Student recruitment Leadership

University-SLC VA Partnerships SLC VA is adjacent to – and has many affiliations with – the University of Utah (UU) UU CSW and SLC VA Social Work Department have a long-term collaborative relationship Many CSW 2 nd year MSW students complete traditional internships at the SLC VA Neighbors Helping Neighbors interns may complete a rotation in the VA Geriatric Assessment Clinic I developed a productive research relationship with SLC VA/GRECC colleagues when I joined the UU CSW Faculty in 2005

University-SLC VA Partnerships University of Utah College of Social Work Brigham Young University School of Social Work Salt Lake City VA Neighbors Helping Neighbors Salt Lake County Aging Services Utah State Division of Aging and Adult Services

Student Recruitment Practicum Fair Special activities for students interested in aging MSW Aging Concentration Stipends Rotation model HPPAE association

Competency-driven Education Pre-Test defines areas of strengths and opportunity Action plan defines specific areas of development Field placement operationalizes the competencies Group supervision provides for didactic and collaborative practice, case presentations with interactive discussion

SLC VA HPPAE Intern Requirements Complete a geriatric practicum placement o Medical Social Work o PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team) Social Work o Outpatient Mental Health o Community Residential Care and Medical Foster Home Programs Complete an Outpatient Geriatric Evaluation Clinic Rotation and one to two additional 7- week Geriatric Rotations Facilitate Grief and/or Caregiver Support Groups

SLC VA HPPAE Intern Requirements Geriatric Rotation Options Caregiver Support Palliative Care Dialysis Spinal Cord Injury Inpatient Medical Social Work Acute Medicine, Surgery, Mental Health Heart Transplant Access Crisis Team Medical Foster Home Community Residential Care

SLC VA HPPAE Intern Requirements Attend Monthly Didactic Groups Complete Community Organization and Administrative Research Projects Present projects in the community (U of U Careers in Aging Week, VA SW Month, CoA Research Retreat) Complete Pre- and Post- tests to assess competencies

SLC VA HPPAE Intern Requirements Community Organization & Administrative Research Project Ideas Revise Residents’ Rights Policies Review VA Advance Care Planning Documents Develop Gerontology 911 Resource Card Create Community Resource Brochure Develop a VA Geriatric Program Assessment Design a Geriatric Competency Training Establish an Online Geriatric Competency Forum Advocate for Resident Rights and Preferences Create Education Materials for Residents and Families

Expanded Role of Field Instructors Facilitate basic requirements Co-facilitate didactic groups Provide enhanced geriatric competency supervision to interns rotating in their site Facilitate their interns’ presentations of the Community Organization and Administrative Research Projects Guest lecture in MSW courses Serve as Advisory Board Members

New Roles – New Definitions Field instructor oversees and coordinates the overall learning experience for the intern Task supervisor/preceptor supervises the intern within a specific rotation Field instructors instruct multiple interns for shorter times

Benefits to Field Instructors Increased support Increased connections to others in field; exciting new perspectives, resources Shared responsibility of intern Increased connection to Universities Opportunity to shape curriculum/shape interns’ learning Can view their own practice in a larger context, incorporating connections for clients Intellectual stimulation

Benefits to Field Instructors University of Utah Online postgraduate Gerontology Interdisciplinary Certificate Offers specific training in gerontology 1 st field instructors started in May credit hours of online courses plus practicum experience SLC VA waiver program for field instructors – free Competency levels of field instructors will be evaluated before enrolling in and after completing the certificate program

Benefits to Students Increased diversity in learning experiences Broader experience within service system Interdisciplinary learning Learn from experts HPPAE interns from UU CSW can deepen their knowledge and enhance skills in the MSW Aging in Social Work Concentration courses

Leadership Community organization & administrative research projects provide micro and macro leadership opportunities for the interns Interns also develop leadership skills by o Coordinating and strategizing with other HPPAE demonstration site fellows regarding programmatic needs and direction o Joining the UU Center on Aging and participating in Center activities o Participating in the Student Network/Committee on Leadership in Aging (CLIA)

Leadership: SLC VA/GRECC HPPAE Interns in Action HPPAE Interns with Posters & Mentors at the University of Utah Center On Aging 2013 Research Retreat

Mentoring at SLC VA and Beyond  Initial conference calls to plan HPPAE orientation at SLC VA  On-site orientation at SLC VA  SLC VA Social Work Field Instructor training  Ongoing consultation with SLC VA Social Workers and BYU Director of Field Education  SLC VA Monthly Didactic Group  Facilitate collaboration with UU Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program  Mentoring other VA/GRECC HPPAE Pilot Sites in Cohorts 1-3