National association recognizes Rolling Oaks Nursing Intern Program in Rocklin

The American Association of Service Coordinators (AASC) honored Rolling Oaks Nursing Intern Program in Rocklin with an award of excellence during the recent 2021 Virtual National Service Coordinator Conference. The association's annual award recognizes affordable housing professionals working with vulnerable populations. "The number of strong submissions presented during an extremely challenging year only highlights how dedicated service coordinators are to finding new ways to persevere while serving vulnerable residents at affordable housing developments," said American Association of Service Coordinators president and CEO Michelle Missler. Rolling Oaks Nursing Intern Program received the Affordable Housing Innovative Program of the Year award. This program, developed by resident wellness director Pamela Galloway at Rolling Oaks Senior Community, pairs senior residents with graduate nursing students from Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California at Davis and California State University Sacramento School of Nursing. Nursing students complete 90 clinical hours over an academic term and learn to provide community-based services while understanding the unique needs of older adults. Nursing students delivered food, taught Zoom conferencing classes and held presentations in the Rocklin lobby. "The students brought joy, good energy and happiness to me," said Sandra Peterson, a resident who participated in the program. "These students are smart, caring and very helpful. The nursing students are a bright light, show eagerness to learn, helpfulness, and they make me feel better when they are here." Bronwyn Fields, a California State University at Sacramento assistant professor, said that Galloway has been instrumental in creating and maintaining the curriculum, according to the association. What began as a program under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Integrated Wellness in Supportive Housing grant three years ago is now being established in six affordable housing communities under Volunteers of America Northern California and Northern Nevada. The American Association of Service Coordinators, based in Ohio, is a national nonprofit membership association dedicated to advancing professionals in affordable housing. Founded in 1999, the association is made up of more than 3,700 members who connect older adults, individuals with disabilities and low-income families living in government-funded housing to vital resources in their communities. The American Association of Service Coordinators supports its members through education, networking, advocacy and best standards of practice in service coordination.