Humboldt State

The Humboldt State University program included inviting a total of eight local tribal elders to interact with students in the undergraduate program. Local tribal elders visited the practice methods course to interact with students in small group sessions, exploring practice behaviors related to respectfully addressing the cultural, spiritual and ethnic values and beliefs of older adults and their families. Students interacted a second time with the elders as a way of gaining increased comfort in interacting with older adults through additional small group work in their policy and research class in which students were able to benefit two-fold by hearing stories of the rich history and experience shared by elders in relation to the work that social workers have done in their communities, as well as, the experiential piece of this effort to increase student comfort level with the older adult population by offering exposure and interaction in a supported setting.

Courses that Included Experiential Activity:

• Social Welfare Policy
• Practice with Individuals
• Practice with Groups
• Practice with Organizations

Gero Practice Behaviors:

• Respect diversity among older adult clients, families, and professionals (e.g., class, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation).
• Address the cultural, spiritual, and ethnic values and beliefs of older adults and families.