Merl C. Hokenstad

International policy on ageing and older persons: Implications for social work practice

The International Federation of Social Workers’ recent policy statement on ‘Ageing and Older Persons’ draws on the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and its implications for the social work profession. Principles from the policy statement are examined with recommendations for social work practice.

One School's Experience in Reconceptualizing Part-Time Doctoral Education in Social Work.

This article describes the rationale, implementation, and assessment of a summer-study format, part-time doctoral program that was designed to address the shortcomings of traditional part-time doctoral education in social welfare. Findings of a comparative analysis between 67 full-time and 52 part-time doctoral students suggest that the program offers a number of significant advantages over traditional part-time education. There were no statistically significant differences between summer-study and full-time students in Graduate Record Examination and Miller Analogies Test scores, in rates of graduation, or in length of time to complete the degree. Educational limitations of the program for summer-study students as compared to full-time students are presented.

Higher Education and the Human Service Professions: What Role for Social Work?.

Abstract Societal needs and trends in higher education point to continued proliferation of human service programs in colleges and universities during the coming decade. Recent program development has already produced a bewildering variety of curriculum foci and organizational structures. Along with this growth, there will be increased emphasis on various forms of multidisciplinary training. This article discusses the impact of these trends on social work education and suggests possible roles for social work in shaping the future direction of human service training.

Geriatric Home-And Community-Based Care Training Project for Transitional Societies From Central and Eastern Europe Through Asia

Abstract Societies from Central Europe through Asia are struggling to develop home-and community-based care programs prompted by the poor quality and limited quantities of institutional care for older adults. A three-year home-and community-based care training and program development project has provided education and training to 130 professionals from the disciplines of social work, medicine, nursing, and rehabilitation who reside in 20 countries. The project has resulted in the initiation of approximately 90 pilot projects focusing on geriatric home-and community based care.

Preparation for Social Development: Issues in Training for Policy and Planning Positions

This is a revised version of a paper originally prepared for the Seventeenth International Congress of Schools of Social Work in Nairobi, Kenya, July, 1974. OCIAL work’s impact on the human problems of the 1970’s and beyond will depend largely upon the effectiveness of social workers who ore engaged in the developmental function. The ability to influence technological and social change rather than merely react to its consequences is essential if our profession is to have a major impact on the quality of human life. This is true for social workers in both deve-