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                    FOCUS

Accelerated Leadership  Program

            Department of Mental Health

Focus is an accelerated leadership program designed for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health

(DMH) to develop leaders from within.  There is a critical need to develop a pipeline of leaders in DMH

to create bench strength with depth. Within DMH, 57% of employees in management positions are currently

eligible for retirement and 15% will be eligible within three to five years. FOCUS is a partnership with The

Whitten Group who has previous experience in developing and implementing leadership programs with state

agencies.  

 

Key components of FOCUS

 

  •  Competitive blind selection of participants (after the 1st group)
  •  Approximately 30 participants in each group
  •  Lasts 12 months to 18 months
  •  Quarterly three day and overnight retreat
  •  Additional trainings; Meyers Briggs, Legislature & Mississippi History, Knowledge Transfer, &
  •  Presentation Skills
  •  Individual professional coaching and feedback 
  •  Comprehensive career assessment
  •  Community Service Projects
  •  Outside reading assignments for professional development
  •  Networking with DMH leadership
  •  Participation in Focus does not insure a promotion 

 

Focus is designed for people who want to hone their leadership skills to a higher level. Participants in

Focus will NOT receive a benchmark.

 

The goal of FOCUS is to have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time.

 

Mission: Focus is dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and skills of Mississippi’s

future leaders today.

Focus Group I 

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Focus Group I  Participants

Jerri Avery, Central Office

Belinda Arrington, Boswell

Chris Barnes,  EMSH

Jerrie Barnes,   Hudspeth

Aurora Baugh,  Central Office

Kelly Breland,  MSH

Olivia Burkett, Ph.D.,  Ellisville

Cindy Cooley,  Ellisville

Andrew Day,  Central Office

Randy Foster,  Central Office

Debbie Hall,  NMSH

Jake Hutchins,  Central Office

Kris Jones,  Central Office

Michael Jordan,  Central Office

Dorothy McEwen,  SMRC

Terrence Mobley, SMRC

Janice Moore-Jackson, MSH

Kerry Nichols,  NMRC

Chuck Oliphant, Central Office

Alison Opdyke, MSH

Sandra Parks,  Central Office

Kathy Dampeer Pittman,  Boswell

Gene Rowzee,  Central Office

Shannon Rushton, Central Office

Rachael Scarbrough, EMSH

David Shumate, SMRC

Katie Storr,  STF

Cary Walt,  Central Office

Thad Williams,  Central Office

Melody Winston, Central Office

 

 

Focus Group II

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Focus Group II  Participants

Yolanda Atkins, EMSH

Tammie Avant, NMRC

Wendy Bailey,  Central Office

Maria Britt,  EMSH

Lori Brown,  SMRC

Doug Buglewicz, NMRC

Bradley Crow,  JRF

Kristi Fineout,  SMRC

William Gates,  Boswell

Paula Kleeb,  MSH

Jerone Lacking, MSH

Ashley Lacoste, Central Office

Brad Lahaie,  SMRC

Shircell Massey, MSH

Stephanie Macvaugh, MSH

Martha Metzler, Ellisville

Shirley Miller,  Central Office

Shelia Newbaker, EMSH

Malcolm Pinion,  MSH

Jeff Ray,  JRF

Kimela Smith,  Central Office

Regina Smith,  MSH

Misty Stokley,  Ellisville

Penney Stokes,  Hudspeth

Scott Sumrall,  Central Office

Braxton Tullos, JRF

Chonne Tyndall, SMRC

Veronica Vaughn, Central Office

Ellen Waits,  NMSH

Sabrina Young, SMSH

 

 

Focus Group III

Focus Group III picture

Focus Group III  Participants

Joyce Adair, Central Office

Margie Alexander, WYMHC

Clint Ashley, SMSH

Patra Askew, MSH

Tijuanna Bailey, EMSH

Spencer Blalock, EMSH

Carol Brown, PBMHC

Susan Butler, Boswell

Ellen Crawford, Central Office

Glenda Crump, DREAM

Hal Davis, NMRC

Angie Denley, NMRC

Kathy Denton, MSH

Charles Farris, STF

Jacqueline Fleming, MSH

 

Sherri Franklin, MSH

Brent Hurley, Central Office

Marie (Toni) Johnson, HRC

Susan Lott, Boswell

Dana Magee, MSH

Wendy Mayo, HRC

Donis McLain, HRC

Lacy Miller, NMRC

Kevin Polk, Ellisville

Holly Sholar, SMRC

Calvert Sims, Jr. , Boswell

Leslie Smith, Central Office

Nikki Tapp, Region IV MHC

Anthony Waters, Ellisville

Stacy Winstead, CMRC

 

FOCUS

SCHEDULE OF DATES

Date Time Group Training Location
August 6
10:00 - 4:30
I & II
Presentation Skills
Woolfolk Annex. Rm 204
August 7
9:00 - 3:30
I & II
E-Presentations
ITS Computer Lab
August 13
I

Knowledge Transfer

* Fiscal Management

MSH - Bldg 71
August 14
10:00 - 5:00
I & II
Presentations
Woolfolk
August 15
9:00 - 4:00
I & II
Presentations
Woolfolk Annex. Rm 204
August 28
1:30
III
Kick Off Meeting
MSH - Bldg 56
September 10-12
10:00 am
II
Retreat #3
Tara
September 16
9:00 am
III
Myers Briggs Type Indicator
MSH - Bldg 56
October 1-3
10:00 am
III
Retreat #1
Lake Tiak-O'khata
October 14
9:30 - 4:00
I

Knowledge Transfer

*Physical Plant Management
MSH - Bldg 56
October 20 & 21
I

Knowledge Transfer

*Regulatory Overnight

MSH - Bldg 56
October 28 & 29
10:00 - 4:30 8:30 - lunch
II
Knowledge Transfer Simulation Exercise
MSH - Bldg 71
November 13
10:00 - 4:00
I

Knowledge Transfer

Human Resources/Risk Mgt.

MSH - Bldg 56
December 3-5
10:00
III
Retreat #2
Dunlieth - Natchez
December 10-12
10:00
II
Retreat #4 - Guaduation
Duncan Gray
December 15
9:30 - 4:00
I

Knowledge Transfer

*Future

Tel Com Center

Jackson, MS

April 8-10
10:00
III
Retreat #3
Tara
July 29-31
10:00
III
Retreat #4 - Graduation
Tara