Our Courses

All courses are 8 hours unless specified 

Course outlines and budgets are available upon request 

Ethical Decision Making & Risk Management [#03907-040314]: This course is designed to introduce the participant to the Ethical Decision Making and Risk Management Models of Terry Cooper, Ph.D. and Gordon Graham.  In this interactive course, students will learn and apply the sequence of steps required to make ethical decisions which comply with departmental policy and procedures.  By using the model in the classroom setting, the students will learn to apply the use of a 'risk management perspective'.  Additionally, the participant will learn to push the boundaries within the range of appropriate solutions to a given problem, study outcomes, and create a competent 'moral imagination' that can be utilized to make difficult decisions under varied conditions.  This course is appropriate for corrections officers, probation officers and management staff. 

Leadership Competencies [#03907-040317]: What competencies do the most successful leaders possess?  Participants in this interactive course will utilize the leadership profile created by the National Institute of Corrections to discover which of those competencies s/he has mastered.  S/he will also discover which of the 32 competencies needs to be fostered and will develop a plan to accomplish that goal.  Management styles are also discussed in this course as the participant examines the benefits and drawbacks of each style.  This is a class that focuses on the need for personal awareness and growth as a leader.  This course is appropriate for corrections officers, probation officers and management staff. 

 

Competent Communication [#03907-040395]: Raise the quality and consistency of learning in your organization.  Designed to better the communication and human interactions of the participant, this class will assist in the development of skills directly tied to effective communication.  The participant will learn to identify and understand the differences in the ways people manage information and learn.  At the end of this course, participants will have the requisite tools to train diverse staff according to learning style, plan and deliver effective meetings that meet the needs of all learning styles and effectively mentor staff using the skills built during the course.  This course is appropriate for corrections officers, probation officers and management staff. 

 

Career and Organizational Development: Blueprints for Success [#03907-040409]- This course is designed to guide the participant in an exploration that will foster better understanding of individual workplace skills and competencies, career motives and values.  Participants will utilize Edgar Schein's (MIT Sloan School of Management) Career Anchors workbook to analyze and rate competencies and skills as they relate to present and future positions within the probation department.  This course is appropriate for corrections officers, probation officers and management staff. 

This course will guide the participant through the next steps in analyzing and understanding personal career anchors while gaining new insight into career values as they relate to career development.  The course incorporates eight career anchor categories including job/role analysis and planning, which enables the participant to create career maps.

The self-awareness created by the research-backed information and exercises will assist the participant to set career goals, examine technical, human and conceptual skills, leadership competencies, skill development strategies, roles for success including producing, implementing, and innovation.  Organizational dynamics and characteristics will be examined as will the stages of the career, critical skills for leaders and the influence of personal values on performance.

Program Planning and Implementation [#03907-040437]: Using Mark Moore (Ph.D.)'s implementation model, participants will plan for and implement a hypothetical program or work on a planned program as defined by agency administration. This course was designed for those who are planning to implement a new program or are currently struggling with the implementation process. It is appropriate for those who will provide administrative oversight or participate in the day to day implementation. Course design is appropriate for implementation of small and large scale implementation projects.

We can neither measure failure or success, much less begin what will be a successful program without a thorough evaluation of all the requisite pieces of the larger puzzle. The issues are intrinsically interwoven. While we can occasionally stumble upon success, an approach that does not create the vision, spell out the details, train staff, provide resources and follow up with evaluation and modification during and after the project will never realize its full potential.

Participants of this course will learn how to move from theory to practice. During the couse, participants learn to identify and analyze the relevant issues, ascertain the facts, ensure that issues are examined from multiple points of view, ensure that proper planning is made, and ensure that findings are based on facts and documented evidence (best practices).

Tools are introduced and utilized during class time to assist the participant to create a viable, working plan. During the class, participants will define objectives in conjunction with the mission of the Agency, identify resources, establish what concrete products and services will be produced and finally, organize how the program will be delivered. 

Communicating Clear Expectations: The Effective Performance Review [#03907-040457] - The performance review is a tool used to assist in the determination of employee development, assignment and promotional promise.  It is designed to be used objectively to evaluate the employee's performance, establish goals and develop criteria by which to measure the attainment of these goals.  This course is designed to build skills related to the process of performance evaluation and communicating clear expectations.

Because the performance review is a process rather than an event, participants will learn to:

• view the performance review as an opportunity to close performance gaps;
• create win-win agreements;
• inspire and motivate the employee; 
• document performance;
• set clear, attainable goals and expectations;and,
• outline the corrective action plan. 

Performance reviews can encourage staff to reach their full potential, grow future leaders, retain employees, raise morale and week out unproductive behavior.  Practical resources will be provided to the participant during this interactive course so that these goals can be attained. Tools designed for use during the difficult performance review will also be offered.

Generational Diversity [#3907-045038]: Your work environment is likely composed of up to four generations of employees--Builders, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. Each generation brings a separate set of values, language and culture. Whether you are a manager, a supervisor or a line staff, understanding each of these generations and how to interact effectively in the workplace, given your and their different points of view, is an essential job skill. You may want to learn how to approach your boss or how to understand your staff to enhance work performance. You may want to work more effectively with clients or with other agencies or people in the broader community. Whatever your interest, you can learn to speak the language of and communicate more effectively with each generation.

Creating a Strength Based Workplace [#3907-043081]:  You may have been exposed to strength based case plans or strength and need assessments, but have you considered creating a strength based workplace? Learn to recognize your own talents and strengths as well as those of your subordinates, your superiors and your peers. Improve team performance. Learn to define the right outcomes rather than the right steps. Motivate yourself and others by building on unique strengths rather than trying to fix weaknesses. Find the right fit for each person rather than looking at the next rung on the ladder. This class introduces you to a strength based profile that can translate into professional development, team success and organizational enhancement.

Presentation Skills: Do you give presentations to offenders, parents, or the Board of Supervisors? Do you conduct meetings, train new staff, give presentations to other organizations or want to communicate better with those around you? Public speaking and the ability to present information to others, whether in meetings, training or one-on one is critical at all levels of the organization. This course will give you tools you need to convey your message effectively. After taking this class you will understand your learning style and those of your audience so as to craft presentations that are clearly understood, interesting and useful.  

Leadership Seminar - Effective, Positive Leadership for the 21st Century:  This seminar considers the leadership challenge within the context of emerging patterns of public sector governance.  It introduces the participant to distinctive styles of leadership, leadership theory, leadership competencies, ethical decision making processes, creating public value, and personality theory while offering opportunities for practical application. 

The purpose is to better understand and strengthen prospects for effectual leadership in a variety of situaions.  The seminar provides an interactive opportunity for participants to examine issues critical to effective, competent & positive leadership for the workplace.

The seminar has been delivered successfully to all levels within the probation setting, including the DPO series and Corrections officers. We specifically designed to this course to assist in the development of critical members, both present and future, of your leadership team. 

A week is optimal and we recommend a minimum of 16 training hours for these officers, specifically designed to develop leadership competencies.

While this course is designed to be delivered as a week long seminar, each class can stand alone.  A combination of courses may be selected to foster a design to meet specific departmental needs. 

Seminar Curriculum Options:

Day   I: Risk Management and Ethical Decision Making

Day  II: Leadership Competencies

Day III: Learning Styles

Day IV: Creating a Strength Based Workplace

Day  V: Career and Organizational Development.

Alternate curriculum option: Presentation Skills, Generational Diversity

Real Colors:  This course provides an opportunity for professionals to examine who they are and how they relate to their associates in the workplace.  Through the use of a personality instrument, this course uncovers a deep understanding of human behavior and what motivates others.  It empowers people to resolve conflict at a more creative level.  It provides specific techniques to be more effective in challenging interpersonal situations and provides the tools to make communication with the public and peers more effective.

Budget Management: This course will detail the governmental budgeting process and use of the budget as both a policy-making  and legal instrument.  Items examined will include, the budget cycle,  projected revenues and costs, staffing levels, and service levels.  Additionally, techniques used for balancing the budget, will be examined.

Please contact us to schedule courses for your training year.  We specialize in creating offerings to meet your specific needs.