Older adults are the most rapidly growing population in our society. Those over 85 years of age often face chronic health care problems, poverty, depression and social isolation. Social workers are central to developing services for our aging population. In an NASW national survey, 62% of the respondents stated they require gerontological knowledge in their work. The Social Work Aging Resource Center
(SWARC) provides aging-related learning opportunities for students and faculty at the San José State University College of Social Work.

With initial funding provided by a curriculum transformation grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation and Council on Social Work Education, SWARC serves as a resource center for aging-related resources including job opportunities, sponsoring presentations from gerontologists, maintaining a hallway display that profiles current issues in gerontology, and creating a library of gerontological social service resources.

Top: Dr. Michael Peck and Dr. Migdalia Reyes
Bottom: Oona Houston and Jeffrey Harding

Oona Houston, an MSW student, serves as SWARC’s Program Coordinator. She and Jeffrey Harding, another MSW student, served as research assistants for the initial development of the SWARC.

SWARC's advisory board is co-chaired by Dr. Michael Peck and Dr. Migdalia Reyes, who is the Associate Dean for the College.

Click here for contact information.