1. health and fitness
2. addiction

AMERICAN INDIAN
& ALASKA NATIVE
LEADERSHIP
ACADEMY
2015-2016
Mentor
APPLICATION
National American Indian and Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer Center . University of Iowa . 1207 Westlawn . Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: 319-335-5564 . Fax: 319-335-6068 . Email: americanindianalaskanative@attcnetwork.org . Website: attcnetwork.org
STRATEGIC
LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT
A unique leadership development opportunity for
behavioral health and addiction professionals
The National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC would like to
offer support to future American Indian and Alaska Native leaders in the
behavioral health and addiction service fields by inviting participation
in a comprehensive leadership preparation program which provides a
balance of traditional training seminars, distance education, and field
education.
Many leaders of tribal behavioral health programs in both urban and tribal communities
have expressed concerns about the graying workforce, especially among the leaders of
substance abuse, mental health, prevention, and treatment programs. These are very challenging
times, and our American Indian and Alaska Native leaders are concerned about who will lead these programs into the
future, particularly given the substantial changes in health care, the introduction of the Affordable Health Care Act, and the
integration of behavioral health into primary care. The need for leadership development and support is imminent.
Your agency, among many others, may already be faced with a shortage of adequately prepared leaders in supervisory and
administrative positions. Though experience is important, many leaders find themselves lacking vital skills - such as business,
administrative, or formal leadership training - needed to successfully guide an agency in this increasingly demanding field. The
American Indian & Alaska Native Leadership Academy is addressing this need by building a network where leaders can obtain
these skills through support and guidance using a holistic approach. This program addresses the urgent need to make available
thoughtfully developed, comprehensive training that is founded on the latest research in all relevant fields, and delivered to
those who will benefit the most: future administrative and supervisory leaders.
Why participate in the American Indian & Alaska Native Leadership Academy?
This program provides a meaningful experience for mentors, including opportunities to:
• Offer professional networking at local, state, regional, and national
levels
• Develop mentee’s individual leadership qualities
• Take the behavioral health and addiction services field into the
future
• Nurture behavioral health and addiction services professionals
• Encourage intellectual and professional stimulation
• Foster agency growth as a result of engaging in mentee projects
• Share knowledge and experiences
• Experience self-fulfillment through mentee growth
Mentors who have participated in this program in the past have found this program to be a valuable and rewarding experience,
and a vital piece of preparing the next generation of leaders.
What does the Leadership Academy entail?
The American Indian & Alaska Native Leadership Academy offers an exceptional opportunity for behavioral health and
addiction professionals to be mentored by current leaders in the field, as well as empowerment, support, and professional
networking on local, state, regional, and national levels, which will play a vital role in strengthening the healing community.
The program provides a balance of traditional training seminars, distance education, and field experiences. This nine-month
experience takes commitment on the part of the participant, mentor, and the agency in which the participant is employed.
The primary goal of the Academy is to cultivate new leaders within the behavioral health and addiction field through the
enhancement of knowledge and development of competencies among emerging leaders. The program incorporates a fourphase design that will lay a foundation in developing leadership, as well as some management skills:
Phase 1: Assessment – Participants are required to undergo a formal assessment of their leadership and management
interests, values, and skills, which should include participation of their supervisors, peers, and persons who report to them.
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Phase 2: Training Experiences – Participants are required to attend a five-day Immersion Training that provides the
conceptual framework and an appropriate body of knowledge for understanding the theory and practice of leadership and
management. It is recommended each participant take at least 20 hours of additional continuing education training based
on the participant’s individualized development plan which will be made available through various educational venues.
Phase 3: Experiential Learning – This phase moves the participant from the “classroom” to relevant settings (likely their
own organization) to hone their leadership competencies. Participants will be paired with a mentor who will help guide the
choice of topic and planning of an individualized leadership project relevant to their work and career goals. Examples: client
recovery mentoring or advocacy plans, community case management and referral development, counselor self-care, processes for reducing stigma,
or cultural competency. Participants will have an opportunity to present on the progress of their project and receive feedback
during the Enhancement Session in Winter 2016, which will also include continued training on various leadership skills.
Phase 4: Recognition – The program culminates at the end of the nine-month training when all participants and their
mentors gather to acknowledge accomplishments. Participants will present their individual projects and participate in a
special ceremony in which they will be awarded a formalized certificate of proficiency.
What are the commitments?
Throughout the year, mentors are expected to be available to the participant based on expectations set at the outset of the
relationship. Please see the schedule of the program described above for more information on the mentor’s role. It is required
to attend face-to-face meetings including: two days during the five-day Immersion Training in Tama, Iowa, August 17-21, two-day
Enhancement Session in Miami in January, and two-day Graduation in Portland in early May.
AUG
17-21
Immersion Training
Meskwaki Casino and Hotel,
Tama, IA
JAN
2016
Enhancement Session
Miami, FL
MAY
2016
Graduation
Portland, OR
The costs for the Leadership Academy are largely offset by funding provided to the National AI & AN ATTC by the
Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration (SAMHSA/CSAT). The National AI & AN ATTC will support
mentor travel, hotel, and per diem expenses during the Leadership Academy Immersion Training, Enhancement Session, and
Graduation unless otherwise specified by the mentor.
How do I apply?
Please use the application included in this packet to submit to the National AI & AN ATTC office. The application deadline
is June 22, 2015. Applications will be screened and selected for the program through a committee process by the Leadership
Steering Committee. The selected candidates will be notified by July 1, 2015.
Send to:
National AI & AN ATTC Leadership Academy, 1207 Westlawn, Iowa City, IA 52242
or email to:
Kate Thrams: kate-thrams@uiowa.edu; Mandy Conrad: mandy-conrad@uiowa.edu;
or Sean Bear: sean-bear@uiowa.edu
The American Indian & Alaska Native Leadership Academy Committee is asking for your application if you
have spent five years or more in an administrative, supervisory/administrative, and/or clinical supervisory position and are
interested in guiding future leaders in the behavioral health, addiction treatment, or helping professional field. Any questions
about this program may be directed to kate-thrams@uiowa.edu, mandy-conrad@uiowa.edu, or sean-bear@uiowa.edu.
Sincerely,
Anne Helene Skinstad, PhD, Project Director
Sean Bear Sr., BA, CADC, Meskwaki Tribal Member, Senior Behavioral Health and Training Coordinator
Mandy Conrad, BS, Doctoral Trainee, Graduate Research Assistant
Kate Thrams, BA, Research Support Coordinator
Jacki Bock, Fiscal Manager
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LEADERSHIP ACADEMY MENTOR APPLICATION
CONFIDENTIAL
Note to Applicant: Your commitment to both your agency and the behavioral health and addictions field in general is an
important component in the advancement of behavioral health and addiction services. Your willingness to submit your
accomplishments, needs, and potential will assist the Leadership Academy’s selection committee in matching your talent with
the needs of the mentee.
Application process: Mentors will be selected for the participation through a Leadership Academy Committee review process.
This process allows for the selection of individuals that have characteristics which demonstrate management and leadership
abilities, and capitalization on their willingness to support mentees during the program. Mentors for the Academy will be
matched accordingly to selected mentee needs.
Mentor criteria:
The National American Indian & Alaska Native Leadership Academy will select 10 mentors who:
• Are Native American, American Indian, or Alaska Native.
Elders are encouraged to apply.
• Have demonstrated leadership in the behavioral health and
addiction services field at a local, state, regional, or national level.
• Are or have been employed in behavioral health, addiction
treatment, or helping professions field.
• Have exhibited advocacy for Best Practices in the behavioral health
and addiction services field.
• Have spent five years or more in an administrative, supervisory/
administrative, and/or clinical supervisory position.
• *Verify passing of criminal background check or fingerprint
clearance. Options are listed on the following page.
• Have no certification violations.
The Leadership Academy Committee members appreciate the time and care necessary to prepare this application and are
grateful for your consideration of participation in the program. Please type or print your answers to the questions on all pages
of this form or re-create the form and complete the questions electronically.
Mentor Information
Name:
Agency:
Title:
Address (agency):
City:
Telephone (day):
State: Zip:
Email:
Highest academic level:
Years in behavioral health/addiction/helping professions field:
Current Position:
Is this position supervisory or administration?
Yes
Tribal Affiliation:
The following fields are OPTIONAL. This information is included on the nomination form to help assure balanced participation.
Gender: Race/Ethnicity:
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Male Female American Indian or Alaska Native
Multi-racial
Other
No
PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
Please submit a typed summary answering the following questions, not to exceed 2 pages.
1. What leadership qualities do you have that would benefit the Leadership Academy mentee?
2. Please provide examples that describe your leadership skills.
3. With the complete application, please also submit an autobiographical overview or resume.
OPTIONAL – Is there any additional information that you world like to add which would assist the selection committee in
making a decision?
You may attach additional information if you desire but supplemental material is limited to two (2) pages.
CERTIFICATION AND AGREEMENT
The purpose of the American Indian & Alaska Native Leadership Academy is to enrich the experience of a wide range of
promising individuals at an optimal point in their career to help them prepare for greater responsibilities and contributions to
the agencies in which they work, and to the behavioral health and addiction field in general. By signing below, the applicant agrees
to commit to the requirements for the 2015-2016 program if accepted, and will initiate steps to have results of a criminal background check or
fingerprint clearance sent to the review committee, choosing one of the following options:
My organization has conducted a background check. I consent for the results to be sent to the review committee of
the Leadership Academy.
I would like to pay for a background check myself. I consent to have the results of the background check sent to the
review committee of the Leadership Academy.
I will obtain a copy of my fingerprint clearance card. I consent for the copy to be sent to the review committee of the
Leadership Academy.
Signature of Applicant:
Date:
I certify that the information included in this application is correct.
ALL APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR RECEIVED ON OR
BEFORE:
June 22, 2015
Send to:
National AI & AN ATTC Leadership Academy
1207 Westlawn, Iowa City, IA 52242
or email to:
Kate Thrams: kate-thrams@uiowa.edu; Mandy Conrad: mandy-conrad@uiowa.edu;
or Sean Bear: sean-bear@uiowa.edu
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AMERICAN INDIAN & ALASKA NATIVE
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Trainer
Brent Lierman, PhD, Member of Cherokee Nation
Curriculum Development
Brent Lierman, PhD, Member of Cherokee Nation
Mandy Conrad, BS, Doctoral Trainee
Sean Bear, Sr., BA, CADC, Meskwaki Tribal Member
Facilitator and Curriculum Writer
Pam Waters, MA
Task Force Members
Lisa Brunk, Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
Julie M. Cain, BS, LAC, Blackfeet Nation of Montana
Arlene Kashata, Odawa enrolled with Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians in Michigan
William Martin, Creek Nation
Richard Moreno, M Ed
Clyde B. McCoy, PhD, Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation
Lenore Myers, Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy Reservation
Roger Dale Walker, MD, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
Kellie Webb, Eastern Shoshone/Cowlitz
Linda Woods, Odawa enrolled with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians of Michigan
Marilyn Spoon, BS, CADC, Member of the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma
Lakota R. M. Holman, M Ed, Rosebud Sioux tribe
Myron Lee Little Bird, AAS, CADC, NCEAC, Tribal Councilman for Northern Cheyenne tribe
National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC
Anne Helene Skinstad, PhD
Sean Bear, Sr., BA, CADC, Meskwaki Tribal Member
Mandy Conrad, BS, Doctoral Trainee
Kate Thrams, BA
Jacki Bock
National Rural and Frontier ATTC
Terra Hamblin, MA, NCC, DCC
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