I.  Program Overview

KMOLI partners’ goal is to improve access to the KMOLI program through more efficient use of resources including a combination of residential state-based and regional sessions and effective integration of the partners’ 3 Learning Management Systems’ (LMS) for inter-session use of technology mediated modules, lectures and products. Each one-year cycle of the KMOLI program includes: an admissions process, orientation period, 3 onsite state-based sessions and 1 onsite regional session (2-4 days each), 4 inter-sessions, and a final presentation associated with the graduation event. The 3 state-based onsite sessions will be held concurrently in MO, KS and OK, and the regional onsite sessionwill be centrally located in Joplin, Missouri. All sessions are located at retreat/ conference facilities. Graduation project presentations and ceremonies take place at each state’s annual public health association conference to provide visibility and encourage attendance by family and associates. A more detailed overview of KMOLI schedule and components is provided below.

II.  Program Requirements

 Requirements for graduation include: attendance and participation at all onsite sessions and completion of inter-session assignments; an individual/group practice-based project and final written report/ presentation; an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and self assessment instruments; all activities involved with the assigned individual coach; all post program/session formative, process and content evaluations; all program/session pre- and post competency-based assessments; and intention to complete the program Retrospective Evaluation Survey. The required readings, activities and assignments are developed and selected using theory and models of adult learning and leadership development. In addition to articles and documents related to lectures and methodology, textbooks assigned include: The Leadership Challenge (Kouzes and Posner), the Fifth Discipline Fieldbook(Senge et. al),  Public Health Leadership(Louis Rowitz), and The Future of Public Health.

III.  Program Curriculum and Annual Schedule

A. Recruitment and Application Process: May – July

The KMOLI recruitment and application review process takes place annually from April through July. The co-directors from each state are responsible for managing the admissions process. A least sixty individuals will be annually admitted to the program; Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri Directors admit 20 individuals from each state. They may be pre-selected by Directors, nominated by executive/ administrative leadership or alumni, or self nominated. Admissions criteria include commitment to program graduation requirements, identification of personal and professional development needs and goals, identification of priority job-related issues or problems, and 2 references from graduates and/or superiors.The “nomination process” is intended to support identification of emerging leaders, succession planning, and enhancement of the alumni network by encouraging applicants within graduates’ immediate influence network.    

B. Orientation Process/Intersession 1 Assignments: August – September

Scholars are introduced to the KMOLI program and expectations regarding commitment and program requirements. An orientation process provides an opportunity for introductions, review of Intersession 1 assignments, and completion of the Pre-Program KMOLI Competence Survey. Intersession assignments include:

• Completion of readings
• Completion of written assignments
• Completion of self assessment instruments
• Assignment to personal Coach and Mentor
• Submission of required materials by due date

C.  State-Based Onsite Session 1: October – November

      Session Focus: Leadership and Systems Thinking

    Session Objectives:

Through classroom interaction, completion of readings and assignments each participant will:

• Develop an understanding of past, present and future public health issues and need for effective leadership
• Develop an understanding of organizational learning: what it is and the type of leadership which is required to accomplish it,
• Develop the ability to clearly articulate both personal and organizational vision and strategies to achieve shared vision,
• Improve critical, systematic thinking skills, and
• Utilize assistance of Faculty, Mentors and Coaches for Coaches to further refine IDP and practice project assignments.

    Session Focus and Content:

This session is focused on how leadership in pubic health must re-evaluate and challenge its mission and role in society in order to meet demands of the changing public health landscape. This includes an expanded conceptual framework for public health, review of leadership competencies that enhance collective intelligence, introduction to systems thinking and organizational learning and review of LPI, Myers Briggs and CAP assessment results and IDP and practice project assignments.

Scholars are required to complete the following Intersession assignments:

• Completion of readings
• Completion of written assignments
• Completion of self assessment instruments
• Completion of applied practice project assignment
• Completion of Coach and Mentor assignments
• Submission of required materials by due date

E.  State-Based Onsite Session 2: December – January

Session Focus: Leadership, Collaboration and Change in Practice

    Session Objectives:

Through classroom interaction, completion of readings and assignments each participant will:

• Develop an understanding and improve skills to use methods important for leading change in public health practice,
• Develop an understanding of and improve skills in organizational development and collaborative leadership,
• Improve competence to utilize methods and processes to design interventions that involve diverse groups and community engagement to address complex problems,
• Improve competence to utilize critical thinking strategies to achieve shared vision, and
• Improve skills to utilize methods for self assessment and development.
• Utilize assistance of Faculty, Mentors and Coaches to further refine IDP and practice project assignments.

Session Focus and Content:

This session is focused on knowledge, skills and attitudes that are important for leading change in public health practice into the future using collaborative leadership, organizational development, policy development and processes that guide diverse groups to find solutions to complex problems through systems change, community engagement and interventions. Participant will also be involved in further review and development of their self assessment IDP and practice project assignments with assistance of Mentors and Coaches.

Scholars are required to complete the following Intersession assignments:

• Completion of readings
• Completion of written assignments
• Completion of self assessment instruments
• Completion of applied practice project assignment
• Completion of Coach and Mentor assignments
• Submission of required materials by due date

G.  State-Based Onsite Session 3: March - April

Session Focus: Leadership and High Consequence Events

Session Objectives:

Through classroom interaction, completion of readings and assignments each participant will:

• Increase understanding of the role of leadership in crisis or emergency events that present dramatic public health system challenges,
• Increase skills in use of methods for communicating effectively, including cultural competence, risk communications and social marketing with stakeholders, the community and the mass media during normal and high consequence events,
• Increase understanding and use of methods to promote ethical decision making,
• Improve competence to utilize systems and critical thinking strategies to design public health/organizational/community interventions,
• Demonstrate effective presentation of the individual or team project and utilization of methods and processes for interventions to address complex problems,
• Improve skills to utilize methods for self assessment and development, and
• Utilize assistance of Faculty, Mentors and Coaches to further refine IDP and practice project assignments.

Session Focus and Content:

This session is focused on knowledge, skills and attitudes that are important for leading change in practice and high consequence events using effective cultural competence, communication, risk assessment, social marketing, critical thinking, and ethical decision making skills.  Participants will also be involved in further development of their self assessment IDP and presentation of practice projects with assistance of Faculty, Mentors and Coaches.  

Scholars are required to complete the following Intersession assignments:

• Completion of readings
• Completion of written assignments
• Completion of self assessment IDP
• Completion of applied practice project assignment
• Completion of Coach and Mentor assignments
• Submission of required materials by due date
• Participation in an SES simulated public health eventto demonstrate systems thinking, critical decision making,            and collective performance

I.  Regional Onsite Session 4: July – August

    Session Focus: Integrated Leadership and Systems Development

Session Objectives:

Through classroom interaction, completion of readings and assignments each participant will:

• Increase skills in use of methods for communicating effectively,
• Improve competence to utilize systems and critical thinking strategies to design public health/organizational/community interventions,
• Demonstrate effective presentation of practice-based projects and interventions to address complex problems,
• Utilize assistance of Faculty, Mentors and Coaches to further systems and critical thinking skills to address local, regional and national public health system problems and issues, and
• Further develop network linkages among Scholars and Alumni to improve public health practice.

Session Focus and Content:

This session is focused on knowledge, skills and attitudes that are important for leading change in public health practice using effective cultural competence, communication, risk assessment, systems/critical thinking, and ethical decision making skills.  Participants will also be involved in expanding the influence network among Scholars and Alumni within the region to address critical problems and issues in public health practice with assistance of Faculty, Mentors and Coaches.

Participants successfully completing the KMOLI program will present an oral and/or poster presentation of their Practice Project in conjunction with their state’s public health association annual conference. This arrangement helps to assure visibility of practice based projects, attendance by family, alumni and associates, and participation in state association events. Graduates will receive professional CEUs upon request and a certificate of completion during the graduation event.In addition, all Scholars will be registered through each state partner’s Learning Management System and a transcript of professional development programs completed will be available. Graduates will be notified of all leadership development events both onsite and through technology mediation and be invited to attend the annual KMOLI summer session.

KMOLI is an advanced-level leadership curriculum for practitioners and ongoing alumni career development. Alumni, because of local and state budget cuts and restrictions on travel, are often unable to attend national PHLS alumni or development programs. KMOLI will assure ongoing local access and alumni network development through an annual alumni summer session that will be concurrently attended by current Scholars. The 2-3 day session will provide cutting edge content, expert faculty and an opportunity for alumni, faculty, coaches and scholars to apply combined expertise to address state, regional and national problems and priorities to accomplish strategic objectives. Ongoing access (lifelong learning) to KMOLI advanced leadership development programs and products will also be supported through inter-state/regional linkages of Learning Management Systems, including use of technology-mediated formats (e.g., archived lectures and grand rounds) and onsite registration for basic to advanced management and leadership development programs.