Developing Sustainable Program Leadership: Creating Manuals for Directors and Identifying Common Challenges

Pre-Convention Professional Development Workshop

Details and registration available at: https://convention.cpa.ca/workshops/pre-convention-program/

Abstract:

Training directors of graduate- and residency-level professional psychology training programs manage a vast array of policies and procedures. Substantial knowledge is consolidated in the experience of current directors, leaving programs vulnerable should their directors leave the role unexpectedly. The primary purpose of this workshop is to share resources and take steps to develop Director Manuals for our programs. Our goal is to create program-specific Director Manuals that outline the responsibilities and timelines that directors follow, as well as the resources they use. Manuals will include common core materials as well as program-specific components. Workshop presenters will share sample Tables of Contents, which include topics such as duties, timelines, general and clinical training issues, and administration, and financial issues. Small group discussions will help participants identify which components of the manual are already available within their programs and which need to be developed. Attendees should bring existing documents from their programs to allow for work on their own manuals as well as sharing of resources. Common challenges and opportunities in supporting sustainable leadership of academic and internship programs will be explored.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify core and program-specific components of a manual for training directors

2. Share sample manual components across programs.

3. Create or refine their own manual.

4. Discuss common challenges and opportunities in supporting sustainable leadership of academic and internship programs.