The overall goals of this project are to transform the BA and MSW curriculum at the University of Iowa School of Social Work so that age and intergenerational connections are important organizing principles in the diversity emphasis of the program, increase faculty competence in gerontology and geriatrics, and integrate gerontological theory and practice by increasing opportunities for intergenerational service-learning and practice-based research. The emphasis will be on rural gerontological social work practice.

Specific objectives are that:

1. faculty will include CSWE/SAGE-SW geriatric competencies in the objectives, organization, learning experiences and outcomes of all foundation courses and selected electives;
2. the Director of Field will increase the number of field and practicum experiences preparing students to be geriatric social workers;
3. faculty will design and implement a new graduate course providing comprehensive coverage of social work programs and services for elders and their families;
4. geriatric specialists will facilitate faculty development through regular seminars and presentations;
5. students in at least two major curriculum sequences of the School will participate in intergenerational service-learning experiences in a rural underserved community;
6. faculty and graduate students will conduct practice-based research on intergenerational service-learning.