Albany State BSW Students Complete Internship with SGRC AAA

The Southern Georgia Regional Commissions Area Agency on Aging (SGRC AAA) recently served as the volunteer/intern host agency for Albany State University Bachelor of Social Work students. Christi Dukes and Vanessa Dowling, both students at the Albany State University Waycross satellite campus, completed forty hours each of volunteer/intern work with the AAA. Working closely with the AAAs trained staff of nurses and social workers, Christi and Vanessa were able to learn about AAA Pictured above: Christi Dukes and Vanessa Dowling are both programs and services provided to senior in their junior year of the Albany State University Bachelor of Social Work Program and attend classes at the South adults and individuals with disabilities in the Georgia State College Waycross campus. 18-county region. They spent a great deal of time observing Gateway/Aging and Disability Resource Connection staff members as they received calls from clients and caregivers from throughout the region needing services, information and assistance. In addition, the students were also able to put the social work skills they have learned into place by assisting staff with finding housing options for clients transitioning out of skilled nursing facilities and by providing follow-up calls to program participants. The students also learned about program administration and implementation by assisting with emergency preparedness efforts, senior center activities, and kinship care projects. When asked what each of them learned while spending time at the AAA, both students explained that they gained an understanding of the many programs, resources and/or supports available to the elderly and disabled in the area, most of which they were totally unaware. Christi and Vanessa also expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to work with the SGRC AAA. The Albany State Bachelor of Social Work Program provides students with an opportunity to gain a comprehensive knowledge base of the field of social services. In addition to coursework, students complete a total of 400 clock work hours under the supervision of a professional social worker in order to graduate. To learn more about the program, call (866) 725-0004. Our affiliation with ASUs Social Work Program has proven to be a wonderful opportunity, stated Wanda Taft, Director of the SGRC AAA. Weve done our best to give Christi and Vanessa exposure to aspects of our work that will help them make wise social work career decisions. In turn, theyve helped us get some back burner tasks accomplished. And, perhaps most importantly, it has been helpful to see the interns examining our programs, services, and work processes with fresh sets of eyes.