1 Patricia J. Volland, MSW, MBA Director, Social Work Leadership Institute Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance New York Academy of Medicine CSWE APM – GeroEd Forum February 17, 2006 Making the case

2 Overview The case statement to promote and market your program  Identify a problem  Research to confirm problem, identify solutions  Building and engaging support  Examples from the Social Work Leadership Institute (SWLI)

3 Identify the problem Identify a problem: Accessing health and social services  Engage support  Complex systems of care  Assistance needed navigating those systems of care  Social work role in health / mental health systems Berkman and Volland, 2000

4 Confirm problem identification Research to confirm problem: Methods  Literature review (social work literature)  Review of course offerings ( ) at graduate schools of social work  Focus groups (six in cities nationwide)  Formed an advisory council and model development group for curriculum enhancement Berkman and Volland, 2000

5 Identify solutions  Coordination of field practicum and classroom content  Strengthened role of field instructors in discussions of course content and sequencing  Support skill development at macro- and micro- levels in health and mental health  Produce report  Raise awareness  Gather support Berkman and Volland, 2000

6 Building support  Report becomes problem statement  Solution: Create model  Engage support  Use lessons learned to perfect  Make connections  Link to national initiatives  Solution to recruiting students to aging  National demonstration to test

7 Demonstrating success  Implement and evaluate PPP ( )  Articulate successful outcomes  Recruitment and training of social work leaders in aging  Employment of gerontological social workers  Institutionalize aging-enriched field education in MSW programs  Further dissemination of the aging-enriched field education model  Improve services to elders

8 Develop strategies to sustain Concern: Recruitment successful but how to retain?  Identify solutions: Public policy  Build support: National Leadership Coalition (NLC)  Gather the evidence

9 Gathering the evidence  Describe supply and demand of social workers  Articulate cost effectiveness of social work services  Describe and promote effectiveness data to secure long-term funding

10 Build coalition for action Determine a strategic focus  Workforce  Image  Policy  Practice Research  Education/Training Engage broader support

11  Build on the work of the NLC  Secure support  Articulate strategy  Unified policy agenda  Public policy monitoring system  Evidence-based data system  Communication strategy for advocacy Partner for strategic advantage

12 Recognizes social work as pivotal in the aging experience by  Providing leadership  Social work: Pivotal to care coordination  Expanding constituent base  Reading the environment  Developing the strategy  Public policy focus and action plan  Utilize evidence as foundation for public policy initiative  Raise awareness and create demand Take action

13 Ensuring success Identify policy implications for long term funding  Education (student recruitment)  Political environment (sustaining all disciplines)  Workforce issues (worker retention) Relationships with funders: Continuous engagement with current and new prospects

14 Thank you Social Work Leadership Institute (SWLI)  Sarah Sisco, MSSW, MPH  Alissa Yarkony, MPH  Ruth Finkelstein, PhD  Jeannine Melly, MPH  Peri Rosenfeld, PhD