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This paper describes the impact of policy academies which brought together agencies across states to discuss mental health and substance use in older adults. The policy academies focused on strategies for enhancing care coordination and service delivery.
View the PDF ReportThe Connecticut 1199 Training Fund partnered with CADER to develop the Support & Planning Coach Certificate Program, creating a pathway for Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) in Connecticut to advance in their career. Learners reported gaining key skills, increased confidence in their roles, and a stronger ability to provide high-quality, culturally responsive care. This report highlights outcomes for 54 learners who completed the certificate in 2025, as CADER looks ahead to opportunities to expand this training initiative.
View the PDF ReportThrough a partnership with the Georgia Division of Aging Services, CADER trained staff working toward certification as options counselors through the ADRC / No Wrong Door Key Principles Certificate. From 2023–2025, 50 learners completed the program, gaining skills in person-centered care, culturally informed practice, and connecting older adults and people with disabilities to vital resources.
View the PDF ReportA second cohort of YMCA Chicago staff has completed the three-course Foundations in Aging & Disabilities Certificate, developed by the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research (CADER). Participants demonstrated measurable improvement: mean competency ratings increased for every assessed competency, with percent gains ranging from 6% to 200% and notably large improvements across multiple areas.
View the PDF ReportIn this symposium, Dr. Bronwyn Keefe discussed how CADER partners with state and community-based agencies that provide health and social services to older adults. The presentation highlighted the impact of innovative and evidence-informed workforce development initiatives, as well as the ways in which partnerships between universities and community organizations can transform the aging workforce.
View the PDF ReportIn partnership with New York Connects and the New York State Office for the Aging, CADER delivered two online certificate programs to Information and Assistance specialists and Options Counselors statewide. This evaluation highlights strong completion rates, learner demographics, competency gains, and participant feedback, with 81 of 89 learners successfully completing the program.
View the PDF ReportCADER, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), and Aging NY partnered for the ninth year to train case managers across New York State. During the 2024–2025 cohort, 66 learners successfully completed CADER’s Case Management Certificate Program. Learners reported high satisfaction with the training and consistently highlighted the relevance and applicability of the content to their daily work. Competency outcomes demonstrated meaningful skill development across courses, and participants completed the program with increased awareness of resources available to older adults and people with disabilities.
View the PDF ReportTwenty-eight learners piloted the Pathways to Social Work and Other Helping Professions certificate. After completing the program, learners reported feeling more confident in their understanding of the social work field, better prepared to apply to MSW programs, and more aware of the career opportunities available to them.
View the PDF ReportYMCA Chicago learners completed the Foundations in Aging & Disabilities Certificate, a three-course certificate program developed by the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research (CADER). Learners were predominantly directors and assistant directors, and program managers and coordinators. Mean course competency ratings significantly increased (p<.001) for all course competencies with percent increases ranging from 53% to 291%, demonstrating very large increases in knowledge and skills pertaining to working with older adults and people living with disabilities. Feedback revealed that after completing the program, learners intended to provide more person-centered care, add programming specifically geared towards older adults, and ensure that resources are readily available.
View the PDF ReportThe Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research (CADER) and the E4 Center for Excellence partnered to offer CADER’s Substance Use and Aging for Faith Leaders course to 32 faith leaders in the Chicago area, with the goal of training faith leaders to identify and respond to substance use concerns in older adults. For all six course competencies, self-reported skill level significantly increased (p<.05) from the pre-course competency self-assessment to the post-course competency self-assessment, with percent increases ranging from 43% to 100%. Learners demonstrated a statistically significant increase (p<.05) in confidence assisting older adults with substance use concerns. Learners stated that the course provided valuable information and that they will be more involved in identifying and addressing substance use concerns in their faith community.
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