Leadership Academy
About
The AWE Leadership Academy, modeled after NCWWI’s leadership development program, is designed to support organizational goals for workforce enhancement as identified by the participating AWE site. These goals are based on the results of an organizational assessment completed in partnership with the FICW AWE team. Housed as a program within AWE, participating AWE site members apply to participate in the Leadership Academy and are positioned to be change leaders throughout the AWE process.
Goals
Build a cadre of leaders committed and empowered to implement the goals developed by the participating AWE site.
Create a stronger organizational culture of leadership within the AWE site.
Grow local capacity to support ongoing and future development of agency leaders.
Advance workplace excellence to serve the children, youth, families, and communities in Florida.
Who is Involved
The Leadership Academy is comprised of up to 15 participants in positions ranging from supervisor, manager, director, and other leadership roles. Leadership Academy participants engage in coaching, asynchronous instruction, synchronous classroom days, and change project implementation opportunities. These training opportunities focus on varied leadership styles and skill-building to implement change.
The Leadership Academy coaches are another integral component of the program. Coaches are recruited from within organizational leadership and work alongside Leadership Academy participants throughout the duration of the program. They provide support, encouragement, leadership development, change project creation, and mentor the application of skills and concepts learned in the classroom. Selected coaches benefit from coaching training and support throughout the Leadership Academy.
What to Expect
Leadership Academy participants experience a series of program components focused on child welfare leadership development. With an emphasis on self-reflection to understand their position as leaders in field, participants offered their thoughts on their personal leadership transformation below.
“[A significant takeaway from the Leadership Academy was] the relationships that we built, whether they were with the CPI’s or supervisors or seniors that were in the Academy, between those at FICW, the coaching.”
Melissa Helphrey
CPI Supervisor
“[Since being involved with the Leadership Academy] I’m very thoughtful now. It has taught me to think before I go into a situation. Before, I thought either you were born a natural leader, or you aren’t. I learned that you really can learn how to lead.”
Porsha Graham
Operations Program Administrator
“[I have changed as a leader in that] I've learned to develop a strategic plan. I think my biggest weakness was conflict. That was a good thing for me to sit there and challenge orchestrating conflict, and that's something I still work on.”
Samone Brown
Community Partnership School Director
Commitment and Eligibility
All participants and coaches must commit to their respective roles within the Leadership Academy for at least 12 months.
Participants must be supervisors, managers, directors, or hold other leadership roles and should be in their respective roles for at least 12 months prior to joining the Leadership Academy. Candidates must complete an application and interview to be considered. In addition, a direct supervisor must provide a letter of recommendation for an applicant. Participants must commit 8-10 hours a month towards Leadership Academy activities.
Leadership Academy Coaches must have a strong history of coaching and/or demonstrate a deep understanding of child welfare in Florida. Coaches must commit 3-6 hours per month for the duration of the program, during which they will participate in trainings, support sessions, and meetings with their participants.
Contact the AWE team
For questions or further support, reach out to the AWE team at FICW-AWE@fsu.edu.