Press Releases

                     AURORA MENTAL HEALTH CENTER SETS NATIONWIDE STANDARDS

                                                       FOR EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT

Aurora, CO, September 19, 2007 – The Annapolis Coalition on the Behavioral Health Workforce has recently recognized Aurora Mental Health Center for its Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Development (LEAD) program, a leadership development program for staff members.  The national panel of experts has named this program as the most effective program in the industry and a model for mental health centers nationwide to emulate.

Conceived by Randy Stith, Ph.D., Executive Director for Aurora Mental Health Center, LEAD was cited as “the top program in the area of leadership” of all the national programs examined during a month-long, nationwide search and review by the Annapolis Coalition on the Behavioral Health Workforce.

“Our coalition reviewed numerous employee training programs nationwide for best practices that can be shared to benefit mental health centers everywhere,” said Gail Stuart, Ph.D., chair, board of directors, for The Annapolis Coalition.  “The Aurora Mental Health Center’s LEAD program excelled in all areas and truly sets a new standard for our profession.  We congratulate them on this superior accomplishment and for the care they provide their community.”

LEAD students receive intensive training including topics such as conflict negotiation, project planning and management, and personality and leadership skills assessment. Specific goals of the program include:

• Empower and educate employees through experiential learning
• Enhance retention of valued employees
• Facilitate the promotion of qualified individuals who have a commitment to the success of the organization
• Give employees a closer perspective on the Center’s mission, values and board goals
• Increase internal communication and collaboration

Staff enrolled in the LEAD program attend educational sessions over a seven-month period and participate in capstone projects aimed at improving the services and operation of Aurora Mental Health Center.

“We are very proud of the team that has launched and managed the LEAD program, and the impact it has had on the quality of care we provide system-wide,” said Randy Stith. “Our staff works hard to provide the best possible services.  National recognition is well deserved.”

Details about this award are posted at www.annapoliscoalition.org/innovative_practices.php.  For more information, please contact Cindy Bohl at cindybohl@aumhc.org or 303.617.2300.