More About the Leadership Institute

How will Participants and their Organizations Benefit?

Participants will learn the skills needed to:

  • Manage and sustain person-centered, values-based transformational change;
  • Succeed in leadership challenges unique to the field of developmental disabilities;
  • Challenge the status quo through experimentation and risk-taking;
  • Set ambitious goals for yourself and your organization;
  • Build and sustain positive organizational culture and inspire the positive contribution of team members at all levels; and,
  • Communicate the learning to your organization upon your return.

"I feel better prepared and more empowered to make the changes needed to help people with disabilities live more meaningful lives and have the ability to choose what makes their lives meaningful."

- Katherine Becker, Policy Administrator II, Nebraska DHHS - Division of Developmental Disabilities, January Leadership Institute 2019

Who Should Apply?

The course is a week-long, intensive leadership development program for those identified by their organizations as potential succession candidates for executive level positions or for executive directors who are currently managing change to transform agencies. Participants may work in areas of management or program leadership in organizations that provide, advocate for, or fund community-based services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Institute participants will come away with demonstrated leadership ability and a firm grasp of the values that are critical for quality, individualized supports. Both current executive-level leaders and those who anticipate filling these leadership roles in the future are invited to apply.

What Does the Week Include?

See sample agenda.

The focus will be on determining and setting organizational direction, moving the organization to a high-performance model and building a lifetime network of peers and leaders to sustain career growth.

Topic Descriptions:

  • The history of the field as a context for change and trends for the future;
  • Understanding one's own strengths and needs relevant to leadership;
  • Managing people, budgets and organizational relationships;
  • Achieving true self-directed supports;
  • Managing for quality and outcomes to meet the needs and desires of people with disabilities and their families;
  • Maximizing public funding: Strategic planning, visioning a better future, strategically-driven decision making, and organizational change;
  • Assuring commitment to positive values/promoting a positive organizational culture;
  • Building leadership within one's organization and the Midwest;
  • Applying strategies for problem-solving;
  • Adapting to philosophical, organizational, and public policy shifts;
  • Having a positive impact on public policy and the future of services.

For an application form, click here.

To learn more about the Leadership Institute, e-mail Kristen Loomis at kloomis@natleadership.