What Executive Directors Need to Know about Direct Service Provision: A New Training Opportunity from SRCAC

Executive Directors (EDs) of CACs are often in the position of having to not only manage the operations of a CAC but specifically supervise a wide variety of disciplines to ensure that programs are delivered effectively and responsibly, that programs follow established protocols and NCA Accreditation Standards, and that treatments are delivered with fidelity. Direct supervision of medical providers, mental health clinicians, victim advocates, and forensic interviewers is a substantial part of carrying out these responsibilities. This type of supervision may be daunting if an ED has little or no experience in the areas over which they are responsible.

An Executive Director’s first inclination may be to think that they must become an expert in all of the roles they directly supervise in addition to those represented on the MDT—investigations, evidence-based therapies, resources in the community, crisis management, and countless other functional areas related to serving children and families who have experienced trauma. However, this type of thinking can be dangerous. While a Director’s skills, experience, and knowledge were most likely key reasons why they are now in a leadership position within their CAC, it is unrealistic for them to expect that they can learn all of the in’s and out’s of their staff’s jobs when the people they are supervising have years of education, experience, and training in their respective disciplines. In addition to being unrealistic, attempting to master all of these areas could create problems for the CAC: tensions and resentment could arise if the staff feels as though the ED is undermining their expertise or if the ED inadvertently gets in the way of progress in an attempt to be too involved. In some instances, if the ED isn’t confident in their own decisions because they don’t understand the area well enough, they could also lose the respect of their staff and outside MDT members.

However, EDs who aren’t necessarily specialists in one particular area can also possess the much-needed ability to see the “big picture”—more so than those who specialize in one specific discipline — and, therefore, are ideal to be in this role. EDs who have a general knowledge of the areas they supervise are also much more adaptable to change, which is particularly important when managing and growing the programs and operations of a CAC. In other words, having a more “generalist” approach to management can actually be a huge benefit to the CAC and its programs. The key for EDs, however, is to know how much they need to know, what questions to ask, who to call upon when they don’t know the answer, and when to intervene if necessary.
Newly Added Training for EDs and Managers
To help address these questions, SRCAC will be rolling out a new training in September 2019 called “What EDs Need to Know About Direct Service Provision” that will take place in Huntsville, AL.
The training is designed to provide EDs first with the foundational information for the direct services (medical, mental health, victim advocacy, and forensic interviewing) that are provided through their CACs. Second , EDs will receive guidance on how to best supervise and support those positions despite not being a specialist in those area(s). The training will be facilitated by NCAC managers and directors who currently supervise these direct services. There will also be training on facilitating MDTs, building a positive and healthy culture, and how to work toward becoming a trauma-informed organization. Training is open to both new and experienced Executive Directors and managers.

For more information and to register, see below:
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What Executive Directors
Need to Know about Direct Service Provision

September 10-12, 2019
Huntsville, AL
$49.00/per person


Facilitators for the training include:

Other Training Opportunities
Expanding Our Response: Identifying, Engaging, and Serving Crime Survivors from Underserved Communities


Regional Training Series

Through a highly interactive and engaging process, learn how you and your
program can better reach survivors from underserved communities. Together,
we will explore topics, such as:

  • Who is being served by your program and who is not
  • Barriers to services and what you can do to remove them
  • Steps you can take to strengthen partnerships, build trust, and engage communities
  • Healing-informed, culturally responsive approaches to services
  • Resiliency among survivors and advocates

You will leave the training with an action plan to help you take what you learn
and make practical changes in your work and program.


Who Should Attend?

This training series is designed for victim advocates who work with a range of victims and survivors across the lifespan. Advocates in systems such as law enforcement, prosecution, and probation, as well as community-based advocates working from organizations such as culturally specific victim services, domestic violence and sexual assault services, homicide, or gun violence services are encouraged to attend.

TRAINING DATES & LOCATIONS

Decatur, Georgia -- June 26 and 27
Minneapolis, Minnesota -- July 24 and 25
Vancouver, Washington -- August 21 and 22
Austin, Texas -- September 10 and 11
Arlington, Virginia -- September 17 and 18

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS FRIDAY JUNE 14TH

July 10-11, 2019
Huntsville, AL
$49.00 per person

Over the course of this two-day training, led by SRCAC Senior Program Manager and Team Facilitator 2.0 trainer Greg Flett, participants will do the following:

  • Re-visit the MDT model and explore the role of Team Facilitator as an integral component of a healthy team
  • Learn practical approaches to team facilitation and techniques for cultivating a positive team climate
  • Discuss strategies for enhancing team collaboration, improved communication and sustaining an effective MDT
  • Examine opportunities for team development through cross training, relationship building, and re-thinking case review

Connect With Us
Spotlight is a newsletter prepared by Southern Regional CAC that focuses on current topics, ideas, trainings, and conferences which are designed to further the knowledge and practice of CAC professionals within the region. We hope you find the information helpful! Let us know if you have specific topics you’d like to see in future newsletters.
This publication is funded through grant #2016-CI-FX-K002 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components, operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this publication (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).
Southern Regional CAC | #justtryingtohelpsomekids | Vol. 2 No. 6: June 2019