FAQ
What is LEADRS?
LEADRS stands for Leaders for Engagement, Accessibility, Diversity and Responsive Services. We are a group committed to building behavioral health leadership in the communities that need it the most. Ultimately, our goal is to improve the quality and accessibility of behavioral health services for marginalized and underserved populations, particularly those with disabilities and mental health issues.
Supported by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, LEADRS is currently working on three initiatives.
Increase the number and diversity of behavior analysts providing services to individuals with disabilities in Wisconsin
Develop, deliver, and evaluate a comprehensive training in culturally responsive and affirming leadership, service provision, and training for Wisconsin-based community behavioral health providers, students training to be behavioral health providers, and faculty in behavioral health training programs
Develop, deliver, and evaluate a comprehensive training in providing high quality telebehavioral health services and establish telebehavioral health hubs across the state
Initiative 1 • INCREASING BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS IN WISCONSIN
How is LEADRS increasing behavior analysts in Wisconsin? and Why?
Through the grant funding, LEADRS is providing graduate tuition support for individuals from traditionally marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds or from a community without access to a behavior analyst within 30 miles (i.e., provider desserts) to train in the Marquette University Behavior Analysis program.
Why is this important?
The needs of diverse Wisconsin residents with ASD and IDD are not being met. The majority of current licensed behavior analysts in the state identify as White (91.6%), while nearly 40% of Wisconsinites identify as a racial/ethnic minority. Thus, there is a need to increase the diversity amongst the workforce to better serve the communities and increase training opportunities for all providers.
In addition, there are only 465 licensed behavior analysts in the state of Wisconsin, leaving 600 zip codes (out of 774) or 77% of the state without a licensed behavior analysts within 30 miles.
We aim to not only increase the number of practicing behavior analysts but also increase the diversity of the workforce and those interested in serving underserved and historically marginalized communities to better meet the needs of Wisconsin residents.
Initiative 2 • CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SERVICE PROVISION AND TRAINING
How will the LEADRS team facilitate interactive, safe, and respectful learning experience?
We understand the importance of DEIJ conversations and these learning spaces. Our commitment and goals as facilitators are to:
create a space where each participant feels supported, valued, and respected.
establish shared learning expectations that are created by the participants.
model DEIJ skills and concepts to engage and educate each other.
invite the diverse perspectives and ideas of each participant.
build a space where participants learn across shared and different experiences.
provide coaching feedback when needed, to support and guide development.
be agile and responsive to the needs of the participants of each session.
meet the needs of the group while also supporting individual and collective growth.
introduce concepts and skills, as well as build on the expertise and knowledge each participant brings.
provide space for diverse methods of learning and the wide range of learning styles – individual reflection, group discussion, peer learning and more.
leave space for individual and collective reflection to increase self-awareness.
respectfully challenge, when necessary, to gain deeper understanding of concepts, skills, and individual growth.
How will we do this?
Setting the Foundation…
On Day One of each session, we will co-create learning expectations with the participants that will guide the learning experience for each cohort.
Once learning expectations are formed, we will practice gaining a shared understanding of what actions and behaviors are needed to deliver and maintain a respectful learning space.
Each day, we will revisit the concepts learned, reflect on the space we created and invite feedback to make it better.
Throughout the Learning Experience...
To maintain a respectful learning experience throughout the entire program, we will…
provide individual coaching and facilitate group conversations that support growth and learning.
acknowledge that trust is built, and that’s no different in a respectful learning space.
address power dynamics and other dynamics that may impact the learning space.
gauge the group to assess the learning experience, and provide breaks as needed to process, reflect, and foster community.
act promptly and respectfully when incidents of disrespect, disagreement, discrimination, conflict, or inappropriate behavior occur.
share DEI and Organizational Psychology best practices, personal stories, and lived experiences to create an experience that intertwines theory and practice.
invite participants to share their expertise and experiences, as they choose, to contribute to the shared respectful learning space.
How many people will be participating in each training?
Each training cohort will have about 30 people to allow for meaningful discussions as a full group in addition to the small group activities. We are striving to create cohorts of participants that include individuals across many identities, backgrounds, and disciplines to create a dynamic learning environment.
Depending on the amount of interest, this may mean that we cannot accommodate everyone who completes the registration form. Individuals who register by the specified cutoff date will be given priority for enrollment.
We will do our best to inform individuals of their enrollment status as soon as possible. Fortunately, we plan to offer additional trainings throughout 2024 so there will be additional opportunities to participate.
If you have questions, please contact the LEADRS team at leadrs@marquette.edu
I’m worried about the financial implications of me participating in the training, is there any way for LEADRS to help?
The LEADRS team has designated funds to support individuals who may experience financial barriers to participating in the training (e.g., travel and lodging expenses for the in-person training days, childcare). Potential trainees will have the option to apply for this additional, need-based funding by answering a few questions (e.g., income, distance from training site, anticipated expenses) during the registration process. Each student may receive up to $300 additional dollars as part of this funding.
(NOTE: All participants who complete the full training will receive $800. This is an additional opportunity for funding to address financial barriers that may be experienced by some.)
Are there any research opportunities associated with this training?
Yes! There will be opportunities for individuals who attend the complete training to help us evaluate how the training worked. Enrolled participants will be given additional details about the research component (e.g., tasks, time required, compensation) prior to the start of training- stay tuned!
If I have a conflict on one of the training days, can I still participate?
Participants who register for training are expected to participate in the full training. The curriculum is designed in a sequential manner. We have thoughtfully created the curriculum so that each module builds on previous material as the training progresses. In addition, participants' absences can sometimes disrupt the community, trust, and learning environment. As such, it is recommended that individuals who are not able to participate in the full training days consider participating in future training.
We recognize that in-person training is difficult for some individuals. Although fully virtual or hybrid options are not currently available, we are looking into how to effectively deliver this curriculum online. Please check back in the future.
NOTE: If participants need to miss a portion of the training for any reason, the $800 stipend will be prorated accordingly.
The training days seem a little long. Will I get a break?
Yes! On in-person days, participants are encouraged to arrive at 9am for coffee and conversation before the training starts at 9:30am. There will be a mid-day lunch break (about an hour with a simple box lunch provided) as well as shorter breaks in the morning and afternoon. A similar break schedule will be used for the virtual training day.
In addition to scheduled breaks, all participants will be encouraged to take breaks as needed in response to their physical, emotional, and mental needs. Facilitators are prepared to be responsive to the unique needs of the group.
Will food be provided during the training?
During the training, a box lunch and light snacks will be served. Please indicate on your registration form any special dietary needs and we will do our best to accommodate them. We encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle.
Is parking included for the in-person training days?
Yes, you will get a parking voucher each day of the in-person training which you will use when exiting the parking structure. Parking vouchers can be used in either the Wells St. Parking Structure or 16th St. Parking Structure.
Directions to the Marquette University campus can be found here: https://www.marquette.edu/visit/directions.php
I’m coming from out of town to attend this training. Do you have recommendations for travel and lodging?
You can find information about travel, lodging, and visiting Marquette here: https://www.marquette.edu/visit/
A map of the Marquette University campus can be viewed here: https://www.marquette.edu/campus-map/marquette-map.pdf
If you are looking for things to do or places to eat while in Milwaukee, you can find recommendations at Visit Milwaukee.
Who do I contact if I have questions about LEADRS, including this training?
Please email the LEADRS team at leadrs@marquette.edu