IGSW Is Now the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research at Boston University
New Name, Expanded Focus, Same Commitment
October 30, 2012. (Boston, Mass.)—The Institute for Geriatric Social Work is changing its name and expanding its focus, the organization recently announced. IGSW will now be known as the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research at Boston University, dedicated to strengthening the skills of those serving older adults and people with disabilities. The organization will continue its path-breaking education and training programs aimed at preparing the health and social services workforce for a rapidly aging, diverse society.
“This change in our mission–to include disability as well as aging–reflects the growing movement to integrate supports and services for older adults with those for people with disabilities,” said Scott Miyake Geron, the organization’s director and an associate professor in the B.U. School of Social Work. “It is also based on our experience with agencies and practitioners who increasingly serve both groups.”
Since IGSW/the Center was established in 2002 with funding from the Atlantic Philanthropies, it has trained more than 50,000 practitioners in 25 countries and all 50 states, most often through partnerships with state and local agencies.
“IGSW’s unique combination of innovative online educational programs, research on training effectiveness, and workforce redesign made it a national leader,” said Sandy Markwood, chief executive officer of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). “With current efforts to bring together many separate realms of service to support older adults and people with disabilities, the organization’s new name and expanded focus are a welcome development.”
“The workforce now and for the future requires access to skill-based educational programs in the workplace,” Geron said. “Much of what we have learned since we began has broad application to address the shortage of well-trained professionals that threatens to overwhelm the nation’s capacity to provide basic health and social services to people of all ages and abilities. “
The Center for Aging and Disability Research and Education at Boston University is dedicated to strengthening the workforce for organizations serving older adults and people with disabilities. The Center was established as the Institute for Geriatric Social Work (IGSW) in 2002 with a grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies.