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HPPAE Program Spotlight
Student Accomplishments
While there is a significant body of research in the field of geriatrics regarding spirituality and religious participation,very little, if any research explores issues of LGBT spiritual needs, development or quality of life benefits from spiritual/religious engagement. The purpose of this research was to better understand the benefits and barriers to participation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Elders (adults 62 and over) in spiritual and or religious practices and communities. The study involved 12 interviews with LGBT elders, where themes were identified and used to further refine the search for information regarding the following areas: stigma, acceptance, community and legacy. The study was intended to help provide information regarding this area of practice and to assist in the formation of guidelines for helping professionals to improve services to this community.
About Rose: Elizabeth Rose, M.S.W., is a recent graduate of California State University, Northridge (May 2012) and the Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium. She has interests in geriatrics; underserved populations, particularly the LGBT community; women and girls; spirituality in social work (particularly interfaith and non-Abrahamic faith communities); and the use of mindfulness interventions in clinical work. She enjoys teaching and creates educational documentaries for counseling professionals and others as advocacy work.
For more student accomplishments, click here.
Leadership Spotlight
Social Work Leaders Named for “Outstanding” Contributions to Aging Education and Service
The Leadership Award, administered by The Social Work Leadership Institute (SWLI) of The New York Academy of Medicine, is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in aging education in the following four categories: Outstanding Dean in Aging, Principal Investigator Faculty/Field Director in Aging, HPPAE Student or Graduate, and Community Partner. Finalists are nominated by their peers and selected by SWLI.
The HPPAE Leadership Award Winners are:
- Outstanding Dean: Laura Bronstein, PhD, LCSW-R, ACSW, Department of Social Work, College of Community and Public Affairs, Binghamton University
- Outstanding Faculty/Principal Investigator: Kristina Hash, LICSW, PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Social Work, West Virginia University
- Outstanding Community Partner: Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging, Pittsburgh
- Outstanding Student: Rochelle R. Ramirez, MSW, California State University, Bakersfield
Featured School
The HPPAE Model at Colorado State University
The Colorado State University (CSU) HPPAE model evolved through careful analysis of the elements of an advanced generalist MSW curriculum already in place and engaging community partners in building both instructional and field experiences that supplemented the existing program to help students acquire the competencies of well-prepared gerontological social workers. For a student to be designated a Hartford Fellow in Gerontological Social Work and eligible to receive a stipend, the CSU HPPAE model includes:
- developing primary and secondary field placements (micro and macro) for each student during the concentration year
- requiring students to participate in monthly seminars designed to supplement aging content not adequately addressed in classroom instruction,
- attending aging-related community meetings outside of normal class time, and
- conducting a research project related to the field of aging and presenting the results at a community meeting
The leadership in implementing the program consists of School Social Work staff including:
- Louise Quijano, Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor
- Emily Dakin, Co-Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor
- Pamela Bishop, Co-Principal Investigator and Assistant Director of Field Instruction
- Brad Sheafor, Senior Consulting Advisor and Professor.
For further information please contact, Louise.Quijano@colostate.edu, 970 491-7448.
