School of Social Work
Social Work Leadership Institute
University of Pittsburgh
http://socialwork.nyam.org/sw/work/HPPAE_sites.php
Application Process
Bachelor’s Geriatric Fellowship
Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education
Introduction
The Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education (hereafter, HPPAE), began
through a grant from the Hartford Foundation to encourage Master’s level social work students to
pursue geriatric skills, practice and competence and to alter the manner in which schools of social
work develop future professionals to work with an aging society. The University of Pittsburgh is
one of only a few HPPAE project sites nationally which have extended this program to
Bachelor’s students.
The University of Pittsburgh is an ideal site to develop as a professional in aging services.
In Allegheny County, the county in which the University is located, 17.8 percent of the
population is age 65 or older compared to only 12.5 percent of the national population (2000
Census data). In terms of population growth, we are already ahead of the rest of the country. In
addition to committed social work faculty, leaders in geriatric research, psychiatry and medicine
teach and publish at this institution.
In 2004, almost three-fourths (73%) of licensed social workers reported serving some
older adults, with 24 percent of them serving caseloads comprised of 50 percent or more older
adults (Center for Health Workforce Studies, 2006). Only 12 percent of these social workers
identified aging as their practice area. Forty-three percent identified mental health and 18 percent
health care as their practice areas. These findings point to a need to provide knowledge and skills
in aging to all social work students as they will serve an aging clientele. The HPPAE allows
more than an introduction in classes to aging but in-depth training and leadership development.
The term “Partnership” in HPPAE reflects that community agencies have joined the
University of Pittsburgh in this effort. Our current partners include:
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AgeWell (a partnership of Jewish Family
and Children’s Services, Jewish Community
Center and Jewish Association on Aging)
Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging
Eastern Area Adult Services
Forbes Hospice
Lemington Community Services
Pittsburgh Veteran’s Health Care System
Presbyterian SeniorCare
Southwest Pennsylvania Partnership on
Aging
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The Community Builders
UPMC Canterbury Place
UPMC Heritage
UPMC Living at Home Program
UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute &
Clinic and Benedum Geriatric Center
UPMC Senior Care Institute at Shadyside
Hospital
Ursuline Services, Inc.
YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
They share our vision of creating skilled professionals and have committed resources, such as
staff time, teaching opportunities and funding. The partner agencies sponsor the field experiences
offered in this program.
Through completion of course work and field-based learning at the partner sites, participation
in the HPPAE offers students a competency-based education to prepare them to be both
practitioners and leaders in the field of aging.
Advantages to HPPAE participation include:
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Rotation-based field experiences allow students to understand the breadth of services and
the diversity of needs in the aging population.
A focus on developing aging competencies through field placement.
Opportunities to learn from outstanding faculty and community leaders.
Opportunities to attend local conferences and programs on aging and gerontology.
Affiliation and networking with the Social Work Leadership Institute through New York
Academy of Medicine and the John A. Hartford Foundation.
Contacts to and networking with leaders and organizations serving older adults in
Western Pennsylvania.
Student seminars and experiences to enhance and integrate class and field learning.
Stipends for field work.
Employment opportunities at partner agencies post graduation.
Eligibility Requirements and Responsibilities
 Bachelor’s level social work student
o Junior year
o Good academic standing
o Planning to begin field placement in fall of senior year
o No history of criminal activities or problems obtaining clearances
 Demonstrated ability to work well with others
 Commitment to participate in evaluation of this educational model
 Commitment to take one gerontology-related elective
 Willingness to have field experiences at partner agencies
Application Process and Timeline*
Entry into the fellowship coincides with the process of identifying the senior year field
placement. Applications will be accepted in January of the junior year. Screening interviews will
take place in February. Students will then be referred to partner agencies for the full interview
process by the end of February. Acceptance to the program is based upon successful completion
of screening and agency interviews. A waiting list will be kept for qualified applicants who may
not immediately be accepted. Interested Applicants should:
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Complete and submit application and accompanying documents by February 4, 2011.
o Application form
o Personal statement
o Resume
o References (name, organization/relationship, phone number and email address)
Interview (coordinator will call to schedule the interview after receipt of the application)
Award letters to students by mid March 2011.
Acceptance from students by early April 2011.
Orientation to HPPAE in April 2011
Start of generalist field placement during summer 2011 (date will vary by agency).
*Exact dates shift each year.
School of Social Work
Social Work Leadership Institute
University of Pittsburgh
http://socialwork.nyam.org/sw/work/HPPAE_sites.php
Application for Admission to the Bachelor’s Geriatric Fellowship
Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education
Last Name
First Name
Student Number
Middle Name
E-mail Address
Current Mailing Address:
Street (Apartment)
City
State
Zip
Phone
Permanent Mailing Address:
Street (Apartment.)
City
State
Zip
Phone
Are there clearance, criminal record, or employment issues that may impact your ability to
participate in this program (circle one)? YES
NO
If yes, please explain:
Overall GPA: ____________
Social Work Major GPA: ____________
List any volunteer, employment, and personal experiences related to working with older
adults and their family members (you may attach another piece of paper if necessary):
List any academic courses or training that you have completed or are enrolled in that would
be relevant to working with older adults and their family members:
STATEMENT OF INTEREST IN THE GERIATRIC PRACTICUM PARTNERSHIP
FELLOWSHIP: In no more than 2 pages, please discuss why you would like to participate in
this fellowship experience. What attracts you to this project? What strengths do you bring that
can be engaged in this learning experience? What do you hope to gain from the experience? How
will it contribute to your achieving your career goals?
Please attach a copy of a current resume and names and contact information for three references.
Statement of Understanding: If I am offered a spot to participate in the HPPAE and choose to
take it, I agree to commit to the program for my senior year, to take one gerontology-related
elective, to accept field placements at partner agencies, to participate in the student seminar, and
to complete program evaluations.
PLEASE NOTE: This Practicum Partnership Program requires that you complete field work at
facilities external to the University, and such facilities will or may require a criminal background
check, an ACT 33/34 clearance, and perhaps a drug screen to determine whether you are qualified
to participate in the field experience. If you are unable to meet these criteria, we cannot accept
you into this program.
Permission to Contact References: Your signature here allows us to contact your references,
access your student file and/or faculty and share information about your background with project
staff and potential field instructors with Practicum Partnership Program.
Signature: __________________________________
Date: ___________________
Submit completed applications no later than February 4, 2011 to Ms. Beth Mulvaney
(Mailbox located in 2117 Cathedral of Learning; Office 2011 Cathedral of Learning)