RESEARCH AND RESOURCES

Strategic Partnerships University at Albany School of Social Welfare

The Institute for Gerontology

The Institute of Gerontology is the centerpiece of the University at Albany's multi-pronged approach to the needs of the rapidly growing population of the older persons in the Capital District, New York State, and the nation. Its priorities include:

• Applied gerontological research with caregivers of terminally ill persons, care of dementia patients, and health education groups in HMOs.


• Strengthening interdisciplinary partnerships with state and local organizations


• Research and demonstration projects


• Funding for educational, research, practice and training opportunities


• Advancing services for older persons in the Capital District


• Through the Center for Mental Health and Aging, implementing training programs and conducting rigorous applied research on mental health issues for older persons including behavioral interventions for depression and anxiety disorders in Home Health Care and Behavioral Health settings.

Center for Excellence in Aging

The Center for Excellence in Aging Services stands at the nexus between universities and communities collaborating to create new knowledge and to translate existing knowledge into practice. As a translational research center, we promote the adoption of effective, innovative practices and policies that address the needs of aging persons, their families and caregivers with an emphasis on vulnerable and oppressed populations.

The Center for Human Services Research (CHSR)

The Center for Human Services Research (CHSR) is dedicated to developing empirically based knowledge in order to promote effective services that meet human needs. The Center conducts applied research on human service programs and systems through interdisciplinary partnerships with government, foundations and non-governmental agencies. In so doing the CHSR extends the services of the University to assist government and its affiliated organizations better meet their goals and objectives.

Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Center for Mental Health and Aging is dedicated to the development and testing of effective behavioral interventions for depression and anxiety disorders. The Center conducts rigorous applied research to translate empirically-based knowledge to practice. The Center promotes research partnerships with St. Peter's Medical Center, Albany Medical College, Cornell University Weill Medical College, Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry, Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute of Lighthouse International, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry.

The Internships in Aging Program (IAP)

The School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany in partnership with community agencies is offering a special opportunity to earn a Master in Social Work (M.S.W.) with a specialization in service to aging persons. The program prepares students for direct and macro practice and leadership in social work services.

The Internships in Aging Project (IAP) provides a number of exciting opportunities, including the following:

• A specialized curriculum in aging leading to the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.).


• Internships working with aging persons on a continuum from well to end of life.


• Special high impact projects to develop leadership skills.


• Integrative seminars to bridge the internship and the course work.


• Financial aid in the second year of the MSW Program.


• Assistance with career planning. Visit the IAP website for further information/application at: http://www.albany.edu/ssw/iap/
  

The New York State Social Work Education Consortium

The New York State Social Work Education Consortium (NYS SWEC) is a formal partnership among the Deans of the graduate social work programs, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the 57 county social services commissioners, and the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) in NYC. Other partners include: child welfare workers, NASW, relevant child welfare associations, unions, training providers and the families being served by child welfare agencies.

The mission of the New York State Social Work Education Consortium is to improve the quality, professional status, and stability of the public sector child welfare workforce, including better ways to recruit and retain qualified workers.

Our primary goal is the identification and implementation of programs and activities, which promote a forward-looking approach to training and education, emphasizing workforce stabilization and professionalization.

For more information visit http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/ohrd/swec.