Competencies Overview

The Hartford curriculum development projects have used a competency-based approach to the infusion of gerontological (gero) social work content in required classroom and field curricula. The competency-based education approach of the CSWE 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards focuses on student outcomes based in practice behaviors, that is, what a student must learn and be able to do. It stipulates 10 competencies common to all social work practice and that apply to both generalist and advanced practice. Programs may build and apply these ten competencies in an area of concentration, such as aging. In 2008-09, a national Competency Work Group linked gero competencies to the 2008 EPAS and identified one set of gero competencies for all the GSWI programs, the Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale II With Life-Long Learning in Relationship to Leadership Skills

Advanced Gero Social Work Practice Guide--NEW!

The Advanced Gero Social Work Practice Guide links the gero competencies to select 2008 EPAS practice behaviors common to all social work practice, to knowledge in aging for generalist practice and to advanced gero knowledge and practice behaviors. It also identifies course exercises, assignments to measure student attainment of gero practice behaviors and research articles providing evidence-based social work practice. Download the free Advanced Gero Social Work Practice guide (PDF) today!

Resources from Advanced Gero Social Work Practice Guide

Class Exercises

2.1.1: Perceptions of Age Lab

2.1.2: Hospice Social Work: Nutrition and Hydration

2.1.3: Multigenerational Issues in Caregiving

2.1.4: The Sanchez Family

2.1.5: Case of Ms. Vishnick & Anita. Source: Kropf, N. P., & Tompkins,
C. (2002). Teaching aging (pp. 178–179). Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education.

2.1.6: Senior Emergency Rooms (National Public Radio resource)

2.1.7: Human Behavior and the Social Environment Case Study: Multigenerational Issues and Caregiving

2.1.8: Policy Analysis and Advocacy Exercise: Stakeholders and Allies

2.1.9: How Policy Impacts Practice: Role Play

2.1.10.a: Communicating With Older Clients: Disorders Simulation

2.1.10.b: Dementia: Mrs. J.

2.1.10.c: The Role of Social Work in Managing Chronic Illness Care (Refer to Table 3, pp. 12–14, of document for relevant case materials.)

2.1.10d: Hospice Social Work: Caregiver Stress

Assignments/Measurements:

2.1.1: Knowledge of Aging for Social Work Quiz (Answer Key) (Without Key)

2.1.2: Dolgoff, R. Loewenberg, F. M., & Harrington, D. (2004). Ethical decisions for social work practice (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks, Cole. (p. 113).

2.1.3: Perspectives on Older Adults and the Aging Family Safety Checklist/Home visit interview (p. 7 of syllabus)

2.1.4: Ethnogeriatrics Group Assignment

2.1.5: Community Participation with Older People: Macro Practice
Assignment

2.1.6: Research and Cultural Competence. Adapted from: Greene, R., Cohen, H., Galambos, C., & Kropf, N. (Eds.). (2007). Foundations of social work practice in the field of aging: A competency-based approach. Washington, DC: NASW Press.

2.1.7: Treatment Team Case Assignment

2.1.8: Community Practice Assignment

2.1.9: Older Adults in the Community or Organization: Macro Practice Assignment

2.1.10.a: Perspectives on Older Adults and the Aging Family

2.1.10.b: Treatment Team Case Assignment

2.1.10.c: Aging Populations and their Families (Refer to Part B of the multiple choice assignment on intervention.)

2.1.10d: The Role of Social Work in Managing Chronic Illness Care (Refer to Table 2, pp. 8–9)

Competency Documents

Gerontological Social Work Competencies
Use to guide curriculum infusion of generalist aging knowledge in BSW and MSW coursework at the generalist level of practice.

Geriatric Social Work (GSW) Competency Self-Rating Scale
A pre and post-measurement of practice skills as assessed by both the student and his/her supervisor. Mastery of these practice behaviors will vary from BSW to MSW at the generalist and advanced levels and post-MSW lifelong learning.

Selecting Competencies for Gerontological Practice
Suggests steps to guide faculty in the process of selecting and measuring gero-infused competencies.

*Some programs may need to modify the competencies slightly to be congruent with their mission and curricular goals/objectives.

Competency History

CSWE SAGE-SW National Competencies Survey and Report
The former SAGE-SW project conducted an extensive survery of social workers to answer: What competencies are needed by ALL social workers? What competencies do specialists in aging need?

Development of Gerontological Social Work Competencies
This background statement provides context and history for how the competencies were created.

Video: Geriatric Social Work Competencies in Aging Infused Curricula
JoAnn Damron-Rodriguez presents on the background and importance of competencies.

Geriatric Social Work Competencies Bibliography
A bibliography from the Practicum Partnership Program about the development of gero competencies.