AGING INITIATIVE (Continued)

CA Loan Forgiveness Legislation introduced to include Geriatric Social Work
Legislation introduced by Assemblywoman Patty Berg, The California Geriatric and Gerontology Workforce Expansion Act of 2008 (AB 2543), is intended to address growing workforce gaps in geriatric services by establishing a loan assistance program across a variety of disciplines. The program would be administered by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, with funds derived from fee contributions paid by current providers seeking licensing. Priority consideration for loans will be given to applicants meeting the cultural and linguistic needs of the diverse population of older Californians. As part of the program each recipient of loan assistance would have to commit to a minimum of three years of service in a geriatric care setting.

AB 2543 is sponsored by the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics, the National Association of Social Workers California Chapter, and the California Society for Clinical Social Work.

To learn more or endorse this bill, contact Allison Ruff, Principal Consultant, allison.ruff@asm.ca.gov, (916) 319-3990.

Federal Loan Forgiveness Legislation introduced to include Geriatric Social Work
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer introduced the "Caring for an Aging America Act of 2008" (S. 2708) on March 5. The purpose of the bill, which provides loan forgiveness and career opportunities, is to attract and retain trained health care professionals and direct care workers to provide care to the growing population of older Americans. Building on established mechanisms under the Public Health Service Act and administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the bill will also establish a health and long-term care workforce advisory panel for an aging America.

To learn more or endorse this, bill contact Lynn Friss Feinberg, Office of Senator Barbara Boxer, Lynn_Feinberg@boxer.senate.gov, (202) 228-0815.

For more information on Aging Initiative topics please contact Kathy Sniffen, AI Coordinator, at kasniffen@sbcglobal.net

EVENTS

Title IV-E Student Day
This year, the annual Title IV-E Student Day conference is entitled "Emerging Trends: the Future of Child Welfare." It will feature several workshops on culturally sensitive social work with Native Americans, as well as topics including mental health needs of traumatized children, forensic interviewing, gay and lesbian adolescent services, and drug-endangered children. Guillermo Henry, regional manager of Riverside County Protective Services Metropolitan Region, will give the keynote address. The event will include MSW students from 18 CalSWEC member universities and will take place on March 28 in Riverside at the Mission Inn. Invitations have been distributed through the universities' project coordinators.

Sixth Annual Symposium on Fairness and Equity Issues
The Symposium on Fairness and Equity Issues in Child Welfare Training and Education is a statewide forum for collaborative training solutions that advance fair and equitable practice and policy in child welfare. This year's event will be held on April 16 & 17 at the Clark Kerr Conference Center, Joseph Wood Krutch Theatre, UC Berkeley. At the invitation-only symposium, participants and presenters share their expertise and challenges in imparting fairness and equity concepts, practices, and values.

Presenters will include by Barbara Needell, Ph.D., and Kimberly Papillon, Esq., of the California Judicial Council, as well as a panel of former foster youth from the Y.O.U.T.H Training Project of the Bay Area Academy. One of this year's keynote speakers will be Oronde Miller, director of Systems Improvement Methodologies, Casey Family Programs, and founder of the Institute for Family and Child and Well-Being. Dr. Felice Yeskel, founder and director of Class Action and founder and co-director of United for a Fair Economy, will deliver a keynote address on the second day of the event.