Preparing Staff for Intergenerational Programs

1
Preparing Staff for Intergenerational Programs

• Jeanette Bressler, Ph.D., MSW
• Center for Intergenerational Learning

2
Presentation Outline

• Building internal support
• Qualifications for IG program team
• Addressing age-related biases
• Cross training on age-related knowledge
• Program specific issues

3
Building Internal Support

• Staff include those who directly run IG program
  and those who are ancillary to program but whose
  support is key to success (e.g. nurse aides,
  teachers, food service)
• Demonstrate how IG program can further
  organizations goals for participants and can
  enhance the work environment
• Include staff at partnering organizations

4
Strategies for Building Internal Support

• Get IG program on agenda for a staff meeting
  include visuals (photos, videos) and/or
  testimonials
• Include IG program responsibilities in job
  description
• Include IG program as part of new staff
  orientation
• Have participants do presentation at organization
  meeting (e.g. school or senior center assembly)
• Display program results (e.g. artwork, photos,
  essays) on organization bulletin board

5
Strategies to Build Internal Support (continued)

• Include the director of your organization in the
  initial partnership meeting
• Talk informally to colleagues about the impact of
  the program on older and younger participants
• Keep staff informed of schedule
• Thank colleagues for their help
• Put it in writing! Get participating staff to
  write and sign program implementation plan have
  director sign off on plan, MOU and/or letter.

6
Qualifications for IG Program Team

• Staff running intergenerational programs should
  be able to do the following (Larkin and
  Rosebrook, 2002)
• Draw on knowledge of human development across the
  lifespan
• Recognize the need for and employ effective
  communication to support the development of
  intergenerational relationships
• Understand and demonstrate a commitment to
  collaboration and partnership
• (continued)

7
Qualifications for IG Program Team (continued)

• Integrate subject matter from a variety of
  relevant fields, including psychology, sociology,
  history, literature, and the arts into program
• Employ appropriate evaluation techniques to
  inform program development
• Be reflective, caring professionals who bring
  young people and older adults together for their
  mutual benefit

8
Addressing Age-Related Biases

• Staff are often trained to work with one age
  group and may feel uncomfortable, have negative
  perceptions or lack knowledge about the other age
  group.
• Have frank and open discussions with staff
  directly involved in programs about expectations
  of the new age group with whom they will be
  interacting. Be sensitive to underlying beliefs,
  draw them out and deal with them.

9
Addressing Age-Related Biases

• Staff experienced with each of the involved age
  groups should take turns sharing the strengths
  and concerns/needs of the population.
• Utilize role play to explore issues and practice
  new skills
• If a group of staff is involved do a group
  activity, such as What is Old?

10
Cross Training on Age-Related Knowledge

• Team members from partnering agencies should
  share key knowledge about developmental, physical
  and other needs.
• For staff unaccustomed to working with
  children/youth, orient them to how behavior is
  affected by developmental stage
• For staff who will work with frail elders, orient
  them to communication skills for those with
  sensory losses.
• Young staff working with older volunteers must be
  respectful of the experience the volunteers bring
  to their program
• Bring in outside trainers when needed

11
Cross Training on Program-Specific Issues

• All staff involved in IG program should have
  overview on issues being addressed by program.
  These include
• Drug use prevention
• Environmental issues
• Disability
• Kinship concerns
• Bring in outside trainer when needed