ERIC Number: EJ1423245
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2047-3869
EISSN: EISSN-2047-3877
Available Date: N/A
Leadership Academy for Excellence in Disability Services: Evaluation of Outcomes for State Employees
Bruce L. Keisling; Shana J. Crispin; Alicia A. Cone
International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, v70 n3 p343-353 2024
As the United States' first disability-specific leadership academy in state government, the Leadership Academy for Excellence in Disability Services is a year-long competency-based training experience designed for employees who manage programs that impact the lives of Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Tennessee Department of Human Resources, in collaboration with the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, began implementing this program in 2017. The lasting impact of such a training experience on the practices of state employees once they complete the program is not known; this was the aim of the study. A follow-up survey examining graduate perceptions and outcomes was sent to 71 graduates; 48 completed the measure. The results reveal an increase in knowledge of disability service systems and a perceived ability to lead and advocate for others. Leadership competencies deemed most important to graduates' current efforts in state government included developing direct reports, managing diversity, organizational agility, and innovation management. Graduates' written comments cited the variety of subject matter experts, networking opportunities, and small group projects as fundamental in breaking down barriers to cross-agency collaboration in their disability work. The impact of this experience continues to be seen years after completing the leadership academy.
Descriptors: Social Services, Disabilities, State Government, Government Employees, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disabilities, Leadership, Competence, Professional Education, Advocacy, Agency Cooperation
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Tennessee
Grant or Contract Numbers: 90DDUC0058
Author Affiliations: N/A