New CSWE Gero-Ed Center Funding Opportunity Announced Exclusively for BSW Programs

Up to 40 BSW programs will be funded in two cycles (approximately 20 programs per cycle) to develop innovative experiential student learning activities through the new BSW Experiential Learning (BEL) Program. Examples of experiential learning include:

• Conducting oral histories with elders;
• Practicing interviewing and observation skills with older residents of a housing complex;
• Developing a community outreach or marketing plan for an adult daycare center;
• Completing a community needs assessment for a local naturally occurring retirement community (NORC); and
• Setting up and participating in intergenerational programming.

By involving students in direct interaction with older adults through experiential learning activities, the BEL Program is intended to recruit undergraduate students early in their academic careers to gerontological social work field placements, MSW education in gerontological social work, and careers working with elders and their families.

Watch your email and check the Gero-Ed Center Web site frequently for the release of this RFP early in 2008. A BEL Program informational session will be held at the annual meeting of BPD in March 2008. For more information about the BEL Program, please visit the Gero-Ed Center Web site.