Case Western Reserve’s health professions and social work students learn about team-based care from professors, practitioners, and even one another. But when it comes to truly understanding its challenges (and benefits), nothing compares to applying those lessons outside the classroom. Nurturing this commonality is an essential element of ”Collaborative Practice I,” a unique service-learning experience for all first-year health professions and social work students.
During the last academic year, more than 500 first-year students worked in small groups to tackle health-related and well-being projects for local community partners. Community partner “champions” met with groups two hours each week on projects such as: Health education materials; program planning and evaluation; resource guide development and more.
The teams and partners shared their results and reflections earlier this year, at the first Collaborative Practice I Showcase; learn more about their lessons in this video.
Seventy-two partner organizations took part in the program last year, including local shelters, community development corporations, clinics, food banks and more.
Students are already working with community partners for the 2022-23 school year. Organizations interested in supporting students next year can email CWRUTeamImpact@case.edu.