Recently, the University of Southern Indiana (USI) was awarded a $5 million federal grant to renew the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP).
GWEP is part of the USI nursing program. It seeks to improve health outcomes for older adults in underserved communities.
Katie Ehlman is a USI professor of Gerontology, and the director of the Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and wellness.
“The purpose of this project is to integrate age-friendly and dementia-friendly care practices in primary care settings, as well as other geriatric care settings,” she said.
This is achieved through the development of the workforce — the current workforce working in the industries, and the future workforce, such as USI students, at least for the first few years.
GWEP exists in cooperation with local health systems like Deaconess Health, and its family medicine residency and geriatric fellowship programs and Area Agencies on Aging (Generations and SWIRCA & More), the Alzheimer’s Association and “many other organizations,” Ehlman said.
Modules are also added to the in-school curriculum. Topics can include mobility and how the human brain changes as we age.
“So sometimes when we think about what matters to an older adult, we can use advanced care planning as a vehicle to allow us to know what matters in health care, and health care decision-making to an older adult.”
In this next five years, they plan to significantly grow the program. GWEP is expected to expand from three clinics to 13 and partner with additional nursing homes.
Ehlman said these programs are needed as the population ages.
“When we look at the prevalence of the growth in the numbers of older adults in the country, then we're looking to develop practices that can respond to the growth. And the government obviously sees this as a need."
She said the government is funding "sizable grants" around the country to address workforce-related care of older adults.
This is the largest single grant USI or the college or nursing has received. It’s through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
According to a news release, USI is one of 41 other GWEPs in the country. In 2019, USI was awarded a $3.7 million grant from HRSA to implement the GWEP as a five-year project.
The entire USI news release is here
The University of Evansville is hosting a state-level talent forum for the first time this summer.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation holds talent forums regularly. The forum for Southwest Indiana will take place in July at UE for the first time.
The goal is to bring together a ‘diverse group of business leaders, educational professionals and strategic partners’ from the region.
Noah Alatza with UE, said such events are important for retaining talent.
“…we have these types of events on campus, to ensure that our students, but more importantly, some of our career coaches understand the impact of retaining those students in our region and the economic benefits that it has, not only in Evansville, but across southwest Indiana.”
Participants will network with professionals across various sectors, discuss successful partnerships between higher education and employers, and contribute to strategic planning sessions. Registration is currently open, and can be found at this web page.
Alatza said the forums highlight resources and programs that support hiring and retention efforts in the city and region.
“But not only that, it really showcases higher education institutions like the University of Evansville, and how we're partnering with our employers to really show what those clear career pathways look like.”
The event will take place at UE on Wednesday, July 24, in Eykamp Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.