The three-year project, funded by the Administration for Community Living, aims to offer Adult Protective Services workers throughout the state a professional certificate in gerontology.
Developed by Deana Morrow, principal investigator; Mandy Weirich, co-investigator; and Hanna Thurman, project coordinator, the program consists of 15 one-hour modules on topics such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, Alzheimer’s disease, physical and psychological aspects of aging, financial exploitation, social determinants of health, trauma, and death and bereavement.
“West Virginia has the third highest percentage of older adults in the nation. This vital collaboration with the state Department of Health and Human Resources affirms our commitment to the University’s land-grant mission in support of West Virginia families and communities,” Morrow said.
The program’s asynchronous online format allows for Adult Protective Services workers to conveniently complete the certificate program during work hours. Workers who successfully complete all 15 modules will receive a certificate of completion and continuing education credit recognized by the West Virginia Social Work Licensure Board.
“This certificate program is the first of its kind for West Virginia APS workers. This training will deepen adult services workers’ expertise and skills for providing services in support of the independence, safety and well-being of vulnerable adults,” said Amber Moore, policy and programs manager for the DHHR Bureau for Social Services.
The project team is collecting pre- and post-test data to assess program outcomes.