An exciting new benefit for National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) Affiliate members offers access to professional development to strengthen the ability of senior centers to meet the needs of older adults.
NCOA and the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research (CADER) at Boston University School of Social Work have partnered to bring CADER’s high-quality online learning to our partners in senior centers at a substantial discount.
Current courses available to NISC members:
- Behavioral Health in Aging Certificate Program
- Volunteer Engagement in the Aging Network
What is the Behavioral Health in Aging Certificate Program?
Often the community front door for social and support services to older adults, families, and caregivers, senior centers also serve as a location where older adults can be identified as having or being at risk for mental health concerns. It is critically important for this workforce to feel confident in their ability to make referrals to appropriate treatment providers. The first offering in the new CADER/NCOA partnership, the Behavioral Health in Aging Certificate was designed with input from senior center staff and has proven to be effective for all levels of staff.
This five-course certificate program, which offers continued education (CE) credits for social work and nursing, is designed to deepen health and human services workers’ understanding of the major mental health conditions and substance use concerns facing older adults as well as the importance of promoting mental wellness and resilience. Attention will be paid to the importance of screening, assessment, and evidence-based interventions.
Courses included:
- Mental Health & Aging Issues (4 hours, 4 CEs)
- Suicide Prevention among Older Adults (4 hours, 4 CEs)
- Mental Wellness & Resilience among Older Immigrants & Refugees (3 hours, 3 CEs)
- Substance Use among Older Adults (4 hours, 4 CEs)
- Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias (4 hours, 4 CEs)
Cost: $200 for NISC Affiliate Members
Volunteer Engagement in the Aging Network
Volunteers are the backbone of many senior centers, and effective volunteer management is critical. This 2.5 hour course offers an introduction to volunteer management. You will learn to assess your agency’s needs, prepare job descriptions for volunteers, recruit, and match volunteers to positions, onboard and train volunteers, and develop policies and procedures to manage this critical workforce. In addition, you will learn how to strengthen your volunteer program and evaluate your work. You will be provided a broad perspective of volunteer management approaches and tools to engage volunteers most effectively and create a culture of volunteerism to increase the capacity of your agency.
Cost: $30 for NISC Affiliate Members
You can register, access the courses, and learn more about the program at https://thenetwork.bu.edu/ncoa-training-portal/
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to participate in the NCOA/CADER Certificate Program Initiative?
NCOA partnered with CADER to offer the Behavioral Health Certificate Program to NISC Affiliate members and other community-based organization partners.
Is there a deadline to register for the CADER courses?
No. Registration and course completion is self-paced and on-demand.
Is there a deadline to complete the CADER/NCOA Behavioral Health Certificate Program or Volunteer Engagement course?
All enrolled learners will have one year from enrollment to complete the 19-hour behavioral health certificate program or the 2.5-hour volunteer engagement course.
Do the courses carry continuing education credits (CEs)?
Yes. The Behavioral Health in Aging Certificate Program carries social work and nursing CEs.
Is there a cost for the CADER courses?
Yes. The reduced per learner cost for the CADER/NCOA Behavioral Health Certificate Program is $200. The cost for the Volunteer Engagement course is $30. Learners will be prompted to pay during the registration process. Agencies looking to register several staff can contact cader@bu.edu and request a group invoice.
Why did NCOA partner with CADER?
The Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research (CADER) is a national leader in supporting organizations and individuals by offering comprehensive, validated, and skill-based online training through courses and certificate programs. CADER has trained more than 25,000 health and social service professionals and worked with more than 500 organizations across the country to strengthen the workforce that provides health and long-term support and services to older adults and people with disabilities.
Why is professional development important for senior center staff?
NISC is committed to supporting and strengthening the nation’s senior centers through leadership, best practices, capacity-building, professional development, advocacy, and research. And as the demands and expectations of senior centers change to meet growing and diverse needs, we are committed to supporting senior center professionals to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to address the needs of their communities.
As part of creating a positive and rewarding work environment, professional development is important for senior staff to:
- Keep up with best practices in serving older adults
- Enhance job satisfaction
- Improve outcomes for older adults, including increased socialization, better health, and better overall quality of life
Not a member of the National Institute for Senior Centers? Join today, membership is free.
If you haven't already, we encourage you to join the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC). Free to all senior centers (and their personnel), NISC supports senior centers with best practices and innovations in programming, as well as networking and training opportunities. Ask for help, leverage NISC resources, or share your successes. Find out how you can become a NISC Affiliate today.
