LIA
Overview
Training
Components
Training Schedule
Who Can Apply,
Application Process
Time Table
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Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ's)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Leaders in Action?
A: Leaders in Action (LIA) is an executive development training program for current executive and upper-level managers employed by the Southern California human service agencies aspiring to executive and director-level positions. The program is a collaborative partnership between the Southern Area Consortium of Human Services (SACHS), San Diego State University, and the Academy for Professional Excellence.
Q: Do I have to currently be employed in a southern county human service agency to participate in Leaders in Action?
A: Yes, you must currently be in an upper-management
position with one of the following county departments in order to participate:
1) Imperial County Department of Social Services
2) Los Angeles Department of Children & Family Services
3) Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services
4) Orange County Social Service Agency
5) Riverside Department of Public Social Services
6) San Bernardino Human Services System
7) Santa Barbara Social Services Department
8) Ventura County Human Services Agency
Q: Which counties participate in Leaders in Action?
A: Currently, eight of the SACHS member counties participate in the Leaders
in Action Program:
1) Imperial County Department of Social Services
2) Los Angeles Department of Children & Family Services
3) Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services
4) Orange County Social Service Agency
5) Riverside Department of Public Social Services
6) San Bernardino Human Services System
7) Santa Barbara Social Services Department
8) Ventura County Human Services Agency
Q: What is involved if I participate in Leaders in Action? What am I committing to?
A: All LIA participants are required to:
- Attend (with your supervisor) the ½ day Orientation.
- Attend and actively participate in all 11 days of scheduled classes.
- Complete a 360 Assessment where your supervisor,
peers, and subordinates rate
your performance in various leadership tasks and skills. - Create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that identifies steps to achieve career goals, based on 360 feedback.
- Read and discuss a leadership book selection with other training participants.
- Complete an action learning project with a multi-disciplinary, multi-county team. The project culminates with a presentation of findings and recommendations to the SACHS directors at the end of training.
Q: What is required from supervisors who send their employee(s) to Leaders in Action?
A: The supervisor’s role goes beyond simply sending their employee to the training. Supervisors are a critical factor influencing in their staff’s professional development (transfer of skills and knowledge learned occurs back at the workplace). For the greatest impact on their employee and the organization, supervisors must mentor and coach employees as they attempt to apply what they have learned to the workplace. Therefore, demonstrating support for their staff who participate in LIA is essential.
Supervisors can actively demonstrate support for their participants by:
- Providing sufficient coverage for your LIA participant while they are away from the office for classes
- Attending LIA training-related events such as the orientation and graduation
- Ensuring time for discussion about career development plans highlighted in your employees Individual Development Plan, new insights gained in the training, and opportunities to apply new learnings.
- Providing opportunities for participants to apply new skills and knowledge. For example, expose participants to high profile committees and projects at your county, or identify other state or regional activities where they can gain leadership experience (such as CWDA meetings and committees).
- Encouraging pursuit of promotional opportunities and development of career tracks within your agency.
Q: How do I apply for participation in Leaders in Action?
A: See our: Application Process.
Q: Is my participation guaranteed if I apply?
A: No. LIA participants are selected from a pool of interested applicants who have completed the Application Process . The final selection of candidates for the training group is mutually agreed-upon by county representatives and LIA staff. This will ensure an appropriate level of candidates and a diversity of backgrounds and experiences is represented in the classroom.
Q: How many training slots are available for my county?
A: The number of training slots allocated to each county varies according to county size and agency need, but the range is from 2 – 5 candidates per county for each LIA training, and the total classroom size is approximately 30 people.
Q: When does the next round of training begin?
A: Visit our: Training Schedule.
Q: How do I know if I have sufficient experience to be a competitive candidate for the Leaders in Action Program?
A: Contact your county’s LIA Liaison to assess whether the position you currently hold constitutes an “upper-level management position” and/or whether your background and experiences match the level of the standard candidate. In general, most candidates have at least 3-5 years of mid- to upper-level management upon application to the program.
Q: Who has completed the LIA training from my county?
A: See the LIA alumni directory for information about employees in your county who have participated in LIA.
Q: Who can I contact with my questions about Leaders in Action?
A: You can either contact your county’s LIA Liaison or our LIA Program Coordinator