Workforce Development Center for Professional Development in Gerontological and Geriatric Education

Proposal Presented for the Master Plan for Aging (#37)

Disclaimer

Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.

 

Summary

Create a pilot program for schools with an active aging program or specialization in place and create a workforce development center for professional development in gerontological education. This program would include the development of relevant, aging-focused curricula, track learning opportunities, and efforts to expand the program into other interested schools. 

 

Justification

There is a lack of age-friendly and geriatric expertise and education among professionals, which contributes to a significant lack of professionals available to work with the population, due in-part to a lack of curricula relevant to serving older adults. The creation of a pilot program for aging specialization programs and a workforce development center should improve education and awareness about serving older adults, thereby improving the availability of professionals with experience in meeting their needs. 

 

Full Proposal

Create a PILOT program for schools who already have an aging program or specialization in place. In years 1 & 2, start with schools that already offer substantial aging curriculum (i.e., at least one practice course focused on working with older people and an identified faculty who is interested in participating).

  • During the first 2 years, track and benchmark learning opportunities for continued expansion while exploring other schools’ interest in participation. Use the final year to expand the program to identified additional schools able to participate.
  • The curriculum would be collaboratively developed by the identified faculty and Project Directors (the curriculum team), using their expertise in identified specialty topics such as primary care, specialty medicine (i.e., infectious disease, nephrology, etc.), trauma informed practice, sexual health, healthy aging, aging in place, end of life and palliative care, serving diverse populations, etc.).
  • The curriculum team would identify areas that are most relevant to working with older adults currently and/or represent emerging and evidenced-based practices and create a suggested syllabus template for an advanced year practice class in the field of aging.
  • Create a workforce development center for Professional Development in Gerontological/Geriatric education funded by multiple state agencies and supported by public/private partnerships to engage emerging professionals.
  • The workforce development center would provide a base to recruit and coordinate schools, provide incentive awards for students, provide faculty honoraria to teach courses and hold seminars, collect performance data regarding implementation and outcomes, hold schools accountable, utilize opportunities offered by the 1115 Medicaid workforce initiatives and collaborate with Workforce Investment Organizations, and identify and develop additional educational and training resources.
  • Set forth the agreement with the schools for the identification of a faculty project director to participate in the development, implementation, and coordination of the project, offer an aging-focused course at once per year based on the project syllabus template, recruit students to participate in the project, and identify and develop possible internships for students to reflect innovative approached and a breadth of aging services and learning opportunities which may lead to employment opportunities. 

 

 

MPA Council Commentary

This proposal is categorized as long-term. Policymakers may reference this proposal during the legislative session, as implementation would likely require legislative action. Implementation would also likely require the issuance of a Request for Proposals. Any funding associated with supporting the proposed center would be subject to the annual budget process and the availability of resources.