Welcome to SBW Partners
SBW Partners is a fee-for-service firm with expertise in aging and mental health devoted to helping the full range of human services organizations survive and thrive in these challenging times. Services are provided by the firm’s founding partners, Dr. Barbara Silverstone and Dr. Ann Burack-Weiss and a group of recognized leaders in non-profit management and practice skill building.
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The CSCS 23rd Annual Conference on Aging on January 19, 2012 was well attendedand well received. Several Gerontological Social Work Practice Fellows and colleagues were present – taking in masses of timely information about the changing face of services to older adults in the New York City area. While it is impossible to summarize the contributions of the featured speakers and workshops, a few points stand out. 1. Advocacy works. Although the future of current programs is not assured, the combined efforts of CSCS and other community stakeholders resulted in DFTA being the only city department that did not sustain significant cuts. Advocacy efforts to preserve programs also raised the consciousness of City Council members to the needs of seniors – which is all to the good. 2. Innovation is essential. It is not enough to preserve what we have, we must come up with new ideas, re-think our language and our programs to meet a new population of older adults and take advantage of emerging technologies. 3. Metrics matter. Anecdotal stories are no longer sufficient to sway policy makers. Every agency must be prepared with the statistics that back up their claims. 4. Managed Long Term Care will radically change life for those who provide and those who receive aging services. Recent legislation mandates that older adults who receive Medicaid enter a managed care program by April 2012. Executives of two insurance companies (ElderServe Health, Inc. and Optum Insight) presented the highlights of the legislation. The goal is to provide better service at a lower cost to poor, chronically ill/disabled (“nursing home eligible”) older adults in the community. The provisions of this program are dense – and there are many insurance companies competing for collaboration with aging agencies. CSCS is posting this information on its website www.cscs-ny.org. Educating ourselves is the first step in helping our clients negotiate this transition – and documenting the difficulties encountered. Knowledge is power. Let’s all get on board!!!
Ann Burack-Weiss, PhD |
Council for Senior Centers and Services|
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