Continuing education
Upcoming events
Visit this page often to learn about upcoming continuing education and professional development opportunities sponsored by the VCU School of Social Work.
Fifth Annual Workshops/Webcasts on Aging
May 17, 2012
Workshop/Webcast 5A – Thinking with Stories: Reimagining the Self in Narrative Gerontology
Personal stories have always played an important role in working with persons in the Third Act of life. However, stories are often viewed as more of a pleasant pastime rather than a vital source of knowledge, insight, personal growth or the pathway toward creating a dynamic future. Of special consideration is the idea that each person is the author of his/her own life story and, as such, has the power to reconcile the past through remembering and retelling as well as imagining and crafting a future self. The purpose of the workshop is to examine exactly what is meant by narrative, discussing some research supporting the benefits of narrative approaches, and exploring applications of narratives such as writing workshops in the community, writing in the virtual world, and independent writing (e.g., journaling). Participants will engage is several hands-on exercises which will enable them to better understand and facilitate a variety of narrative approaches in their own work settings.
Workshop/Webcast 5B – Work in the Third Act
Age discrimination, both intentional and unintentional, continues to be a serious and growing problem. The number of age discrimination charges filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission increased by 50% since 2000. Recognizing and understanding discriminatory practices is the first step in avoiding age discrimination on the job. This session will provide an overview of the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) which sets forth the rights older workers have under the federal civil rights law. It will include an exercise in stereotyping, which often underlies discriminatory practices, examine how age-related comments made in the workplace can reveal bias, and review the most common forms of age discrimination.
The second part of this presentation briefly reviews the aging of the U.S. labor force and discusses how some of the barriers faced by older workers can be addressed. Progressive policies and person-centered programs can effectively assist older workers to reinvent themselves and be competitive in the workplace. This session provides guidance to practitioners on ways to counteract employers’ stereotypes about older workers, target approaches tailored to the workforce needs of this heterogeneous age group, and actively engage workers in updating their job skills, retraining, and obtaining employment.
Aging Webcasts
Participate in one or more of a series of continuing education webcasts on aging. These webcasts were made possible in part by Geriatric Training and Education (GTE) funds appropriated by the General Assembly of Virginia and administered by the Virginia Center on Aging at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Save the date
Please join our listserv to receive email notification of upcoming events and webcasts. Sign up online at www.socialwork.vcu.edu/education/listserv.html.
Gateway to Military and Veteran resources
Visit the gateway to access and review resources for behavioral healthcare providers working with military members, veterans and their family members.
