Adult Protective Service workers throughout West Virginia had the opportunity to complete a professional certificate in gerontology in an online asynchronous format, allowing workers to conveniently complete the certificate program during work hours.
The three-year project was funded by the Administration for Community Living.
Workers who successfully completed all 15 one-hour modules received a certificate of completion and continuing education credit recognized by the West Virginia Social Work Licensure Board.
Module topics included Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Alzheimer’s disease, physical and psychological aspects of aging, financial exploitation, social determinants of health, trauma, death and bereavement, and more.
“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, program manager for the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
The project team, composed of principal investigator Deana Morrow, co-investigator Mandy Weirich, project coordinator Hanna Thurman, and research assistant Madison Martin, collected both quantitative and qualitative data from participants to assess program outcomes.
Analysis of quantitative data reflects a significant increase in APS worker knowledge of gerontology topics. Analysis of qualitative data indicates that in addition to experiencing this knowledge increase, participants enjoyed the program and overall felt that it was a valuable addition to their current training.
Many participants suggested the training be made mandatory for new hires, as it contained foundational information that could improve new APS workers’ practice. Overall, data analysis concludes that the program was effective for increasing APS worker content knowledge across a range of gerontology topics germane to APS practice.
“The shared excitement and commitment from the School of Social Work and the Department of Human Services contributed to the success of this workforce development project. A special thanks goes to the Employee Development Technical Support unit in the Office of Shared Administration. APS professionals provide a critical service, and we are proud to help them improve the lives of vulnerable people and families,” said Hanna Thurman, project coordinator.
The project team is now handing off the management of the program to DoHS so that the program can continue to benefit APS workers in the state of West Virginia.
“West Virginia has the third highest percentage of older adults in the nation. This vital collaboration with the state Department of Human Services affirms our commitment to the University’s land-grant mission in support of West Virginia families and communities,” said Deana Morrow, principal investigator.