MULTIGENERATIONAL PRACTICE: AN INNOVATIVE INFUSION APPROACH

Abstract

This article examines the impact of a curricular infusion strategy to integrate multigenerational practice issues into social work education. Based on a survey of MSW students (N=83), findings illustrate that student interest, knowledge, and skills in aging and multigenerational practice increased significantly following the implementation of a 3-tiered infusion approach. While the majority of students endorsed aging and multigenerational issues as important to social work in general, many did not understand the relevance to their own careers. In general, students were more interested in multigenerational rather than gerontological practice, both in relation to acquiring additional knowledge and skills and in pursuing further coursework. Next steps are outlined for integrating a multigenerational practice perspective into social work education.