Field learning is essential to preparing social work students for entry into their chosen area(s) of practice. Direct application of knowledge, theory, and skills covered in classroom curriculum is applied to active agency-based learning at all levels of practica. For MSW Hartford Emerging Geriatric Social Work students, the ability to apply specialized gerontology coursework to Advanced Practicum learning is further supported by stipends from that grant.

Each Hartford student is matched with a social worker in their chosen agency who has experience and expertise specific to gerontology. Some are also members of the Hartford Advisory Board, and all are current with changing practice needs and methods in provision of social work with elders.

Because the population of the state of Iowa is rapidly aging, all social workers will experience increasing needs for practice competency with elders regardless of their field of practice. Therefore, all students entering field will have opportunities to build activities related to aging even when their placement is not with an agency directly serving elders. For example, one student has elected to spend one day per week at a senior center as a secondary placement. Others have elected to build in practicum time to “shadow” one of the students in a gerontology placement. All students benefit from Hartford students’ discussion of challenges and rewards of their experience in the concurrent Advanced Practicum Seminar. Students enrolled in the MSW Foundation Practicum (students who do not have a BSW) and BSW students enrolling in Field Experience, also have similar opportunities to build such experiences into their field learning at those levels.

There are a wide range of agencies offering high quality experiences working with elders at each of the School’s four locations, reaching from the Mississippi to the Missouri River on the other side of the state. Below is a list of representative agencies in each of the communities.

Quad Cities Program

Genesis Medical Center
Davenport, Iowa

Hammond-Henry Hospital
Geneseo, Illinois

Illini Medical Center
Silvis, Illinois

Kewannee Medical Center
Kewanee, Illinois

Pathways Hospice
Rock Island, Illinois

Trinity Medical Center
Moline and Rock Island, Illinois

Visiting Nurses Association Hospice Care
Davenport, Iowa

 

Iowa City

Aging Services Inc.
Cedar Rapids

Elder Services
Iowa City

Iowa City Hospice
Iowa City

Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center
Iowa City

Lantern Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Iowa City

Meth-wick Community
Cedar Rapids

Milestones Adult Day Health Center
Cedar Rapids

Oaknoll Retirement Center
Iowa City

Pathways Adult Day Health Center
Iowa City

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City

Veterans’ Administration Medical Center
Iowa City

 

Des Moines Program (all agencies are in Des Moines)

Area Agency on Aging

Calvin Manor

Central Iowa Health System: Lakeview Center for Senior Health

Department of Elder Affairs

Drake University School of Law: Elder Law Clinic

Eyerly-Ball Community Mental Health Center

Hospice of Central Iowa

Jewish Senior Services

Lutheran Social Services: Elderly Outreach Program

Mercy Medical Center

 

Sioux City Program

Anthon Congregate Meals
Anthon

Alzheimer’s Association
Sioux City

Alternative Home Care Inc
Sioux City

Casa de Paz Nursing Home
Sioux City

Embassy Rehabilitation and Care Center
Sergeant Bluff

Mercy Medical Center
Sioux City

Morningside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Sioux City

Sloan Congregate Meals
Sloan

St. Lukes Regional Medical Center
Sioux City

The School of Social Work is always interested in developing new relationships with area agencies, including establishing sites for student field learning in gerontology as well as other areas of practice. Interested agencies are encouraged to contact the Director of Field Education, Bob Vander Beek, or the Field Administrator in the local area. Contact information is as follows:

Bob Vander Beek, LMSW
Director of Field Education and Iowa City Administrator
Clinical Assistant Professor
Robert-vanderbeek@uiowa.edu
319-335-1222

Billie Marchik, LISW
Des Moines Practicum Administrator
Clinical Assistant Professor
bmarchik@crosspaths.net
515-283-0833

Mary Newcomb, MSW
Quad Cities Practicum Administrator
Adjunct Faculty
Mary-newcomb@uiowa.edu
309-794-7619

Julia Rembert, MSW
Sioux City Practicum Administrator
Clinical Assistant Professor
jrembert@hartel.net
712-279-5217