Intergenerational
SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE

Required Activities
and
Examples of
Field Activies

 

 

For more information contact:

Sally Newman

newmans@pitt.edu

412-648-7155




Required Activities

and

Examples of Field Activities

 

REQUIRED ACTIVITIES

 

Intergenerational Training Institute (Must attend two.)

Description: The Intergenerational Training Institute will emphasize the diverse
competencies necessary for successful intergenerational programming.

Competencies: Each workshop at the Institute has its own learning competencies.
These are listed in the Institute binder given to all participants. It is
assumed that participants will have achieved the workshop
competencies as a result of attending the workshop.

Estimated Number of Hours: 15 each

Achievement Criteria—List of workshops attended and Certificate of Completion.

Choose 1:

Written paper on the Development of a Hypothetical Intergenerational Project or
An Analysis of an Existing Program

Development of a Hypothetical Intergenerational Program


This activity is designed for participants who have little or no experience in starting a new program.
The purpose is to demonstrate broad knowledge of the components of effective intergenerational
programs. It requires participants to think about and commit to paper all of the steps needed to
implement the program.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

describe the operational components in the development of an intergenerational program
●  discuss the relationship among these components during the implementation of the model
●  develop implementation strategies for these components
●  describe some of the problems or barriers associated with the implementation of an intergenerational program
●  develop a strategy for overcoming problems/barriers associated with program implementation
●  prepare a written outline of the implementation procedures for the intergenerational program

Estimated Number of Hours: 15

Achievement Criteria—Submission of the form “A Planning Tool for Developing or Expanding an Intergenerational Program.” These guidelines are available at the very end of the Institute binder as part of the Intergenerational Programming 401 handouts. If you attended that session at the Institute then you have already begun to work on this activity. If your Learning Plan stipulates that you will also “Coordinate” this intergenerational program, then this form must be submitted before you start program implementation.

Analysis of an Existing Intergenerational Program


This activity is designed for participants who have prior experience in starting new programs. It consists of an objective look at an existing program from the outside for the purposes of analysis, not evaluation. The focus is the “process” of the program, not the “effectiveness.” The participant should
examine how the program operates, how it is structured, and what its components are. Methods include interviewing staff, examining questionnaires, and observing participant interactions.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● analyze and observe components of an intergenerational program;
● interview program administrators and participants;
● make recommendations for improvement; and,
● prepare a written report.

Estimated Number of Hours: 15

Achievement Criteria—Written analysis using the “Guidelines for Analyzing an Intergenerational Program.”

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Coordinate a New Intergenerational Program


This activity follows the “Hypothetical Program Plan” activity described above. Its purpose is to put into action, the plan developed for a new program.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● identify the components that are essential to all intergenerational programs;
● develop and implement a program including identifying partners, setting goals, developing activities, recruiting and training participants, evaluating the program, and reporting on its outcomes;
● identify issues and problems related to the program management components; and,
● discuss some resolution of issues and solutions to the problems.

Estimated Number of Hours: 25

Achievement Criteria—Written description of the program (in step-by-step format) that can be used for replication, including program outcomes and recommendations for improvement. This description should refer to the “Hypothetical Program Plan” often. When actual activities differ from the planned activities they should be described, including why the change in plans was needed and the result of the change. This is a reflective piece that compares the plan to what actually occurred.

The Professional Mentoring Program


The intent of this activity is to create a means of support, encouragement, advice and resource sharing between the mentor and mentee or among co-mentees.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● develop an interpersonal mentoring relationship;
● advise, guide, and mentor an intergenerational colleague;
● identify and share resources; and,
● describe new learning achieved as a result of the mentoring experience.

Estimated Number of Hours: 15

Achievement Criteria—A written report of mentoring activities is required including the means and frequency of the communication. This report should be of sufficient depth as to
convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved.

Conduct a Series of Interviews of Intergenerational Professionals


This activity is designed for participants new the field or to a program type or concept. It involves gathering information via an interview and reflecting on the results.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● interview intergenerational professionals;
● analyze intergenerational concepts; and,
● network with other intergenerational professionals.

Estimated Number of Hours: 10

Achievement Criteria—A written report of the interviews is required. This report should include synthesis of, and reflection on, the interviews, and be of sufficient depth as to convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved.

Serve on the Board of an Intergenerational Program


This activity provides the participant with a governing and/or advisory perspective of an intergenerational program.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● make strategic decisions about an intergenerational program;
● advocate for intergenerational programs;
● raise funds; and,
● network with other intergenerational professionals.

Estimated Number of Hours: 15

Achievement Criteria—Written report of activities, roles, duties of board involvement and a letter from the Board Chair verifying the role. This report should include synthesis of and reflection on the board role and be of sufficient depth as to convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved.

Volunteer as a Participant in an Intergenerational Program


This activity provides the participant with a volunteer’s perspective of an intergenerational program, rather than one of a coordinator.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● work as a volunteer;
● relate to and empathize with the work that a volunteer does; and,
● develop relationships with participants in an intergenerational program.

Estimated Number of Hours: 10

Achievement Criteria—A written report of the volunteer activity is required. This report should include a reflection on the experience and be of sufficient depth as to convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved. In addition, a letter from the program coordinator indicating the number of hours served and the type of activity conducted should be included.

Present a Paper or Conduct an Intergenerational Workshop at a Conference


The purpose of this activity is to give the participant some experience in disseminating intergenerational information via an oral presentation.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● organize and prepare for a workshop presentation about the development of an intergenerational program;
● engage the audience in meaningful dialogue about the topic; and,
● deliver information in an interactive, interesting and concise manner.

Estimated Number of Hours: 15

Achievement Criteria—A written summary of the presentation and any agenda, handouts, or Power Point slides should be included. In addition, a brief evaluation of the session should be conducted and included in the portfolio.

Attend an Intergenerational Conference


The intent of this activity is to expose the participant to a broad range of workshops, programs, and research by attending a conference that focuses specifically on the intergenerational field.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● analyze and synthesize relevant workshop content;
● adapt workshop content and learning to fit my area of interest in the intergenerational field;
● reflect and report on the relevance of the workshops on my intergenerational work.

Estimated Number of Hours: 4–24

Achievement Criteria—A written report that includes a list of workshops attended and a synthesis of and reflection on the conference that is of sufficient depth as to convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved.

Evaluate an Intergenerational Program


The intent of this activity is to provide experience in intergenerational program evaluation. Evaluate an existing intergenerational program by interviewing staff, examining written materials (brochures, evaluations, flyers), and observing participant interactions or administering a survey, to determine the extent to which the program has met its goals.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● prepare a prioritized list of what the program coordinators want to know about the program and what other stakeholders (funders, board of directors) want to know about the program;
● develop evaluation strategies that provide the information needed by the stakeholders;
● analyze and observe components of an intergenerational program;
● interview program administrators and participants;
● develop and administer surveys;
● make recommendations for improvement; and,
● prepare a written report.

Estimated Number of Hours: 20

Achievement Criteria—A written report is required that describes the evaluation process, methodology, and results. Recommendations for improvement should be included where appropriate. The report should be of sufficient depth as to convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved.

Conduct a Needs Assessment


Intergenerational programs should address real needs in the community. Needs Assessments are often conducted informally by the program partners in response to an observed need. This activity consists of conducting a formal needs assessment via focus groups, interviews, and or questionnaires.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● gather and analyze data, and
● write and present ideas effectively to various audiences.

Estimated Number of Hours: 15

Achievement Criteria—A written report is required. The report should include the rationale for the needs assessment, the methods and instruments used, and the results. The report should be of sufficient depth as to convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved.

Develop and Implement a Plan for Establishing an Intergenerational Network


Regional or state-wide intergenerational networks can be a source of support, encouragement, and resources for new or existing programs. This activity provides exposure to working with intergenerational programs and professionals on a different level than one would experience in working with an individual program.

Competencies: Participant will improve his/her ability to:

● identify the components of an intergenerational network;
● develop implementation strategies for the components;
● describe some of the possible barriers associated with developing a network; and,
● prepare a written plan for implementation;
● launch a network.

Estimated Number of Hours: 15

Achievement Criteria—A written report of the design and implementation process is required. In addition, the results of the first network meeting should be included. The report should be of sufficient depth as to convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved.

Write and Publish an Intergenerational Book, Manual, or Article


The dissemination of information is important to the growth and stability of any emerging field. This activity provides an opportunity to produce a written piece for publication. Participants may choose any type of product including a short book, article, manual, or other publication.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● collect/review intergenerational literature;
● organize an outline for a publication;
● develop chapters/modules;
● write for specific audiences;
● proofread/edit; and,
● produce a written piece suitable for publishing.


Estimated Number of Hours: 15

Achievement Criteria—The written product will serve as the achievement criteria. The product should be of sufficient depth so as to convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved.

Write a Funding Proposal for an Intergenerational Program


Following the guidelines set by the potential funder, write and submit proposal for funding an intergenerational program. If guidelines do not exist, the proposal should include an introduction or summary, goals and objectives of the program, descriptions of activities, plans for recruiting, training, monitoring, PR and evaluation, program outcomes, a budget, and a timeline for each of the components of the proposal.

Competencies: As a result of this activity, I will improve my ability to:

● conceptualize and describe in writing, an intergenerational program and its components,
● write concisely,
● follow a funders guidelines, and
● develop a program budget.

Estimated Number of Hours: 15

Achievement Criteria—The written proposal will serve as the achievement criteria. The proposal should be of sufficient depth so as to convince the reader that the learning competencies have been achieved.


 

 

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Page updated 4/29/02