Brief report #2: the caregiver ombudsman outreach program (co-op): lessons learned for engaging students and impacting the community.

We discuss a program designed collaboratively by eight community-based agencies and a school of social work to serve ethnically-diverse caregivers of older adults in an under-resourced area of New York City. The program offered comprehensive assessments, referrals and information, and respite care to maximize use of existing resources and build a stronger web of support for caregivers. Social work and nursing students participated in all aspects of the project, including development, implementation, and evaluation. This level of involvement facilitates a deep understanding of the interconnections among practice, research, policy, and education, and fosters an interest in and commitment to working with older adults and their families.