The Gerontological Society of America has received a five year, $7.7 million renewal grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation of New York City to provide financial and career support for 30 Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholars, to provide overall coordination of the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Initiative, and support projects to improve geriatric social work training and research.
"This continued support by the Hartford Foundation to build the capacity in geriatric social work is really a testament to the significantly increasing contributions of our Scholars to the gerontological knowledge base," noted Columbia University's Dr. Barbara Berkman, the Principle Investigator and National Program Director.
This grant seeks to address the next decade's projected shortage of over 46,000 geriatric social workers - by supporting aging-focused faculty who will advance the practice of geriatric social work through research and ensure that an increased number of social work students receive appropriate training to work with older persons. This project was first funded in 1999, and $21 million in grants have supported 72 faculty scholars and other related activities to date.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), founded in 1945, is the oldest and largest national multidisciplinary scientific organization devoted to the advancement of gerontological research. Its membership includes some 5,000+ researchers, educators, practitioners, and other professionals in the field of aging. The Society's principal missions are to promote research and education in aging and to encourage the dissemination of research results to other scientists, decision makers, and practitioners.
The John A. Hartford Foundation, established in 1929, is a committed champion of training, research, and service system innovations that promote the health and independence of America's older adults. Through its grantmaking, the Foundation seeks to strengthen the nation's capacity to provide effective, affordable care to this rapidly increasing older population.