The Wayne Together Collaborative has been working for the last six months to facilitate Strengths-Based Supervision training for all child welfare supervisors employed through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) of Wayne County.  More than 100 supervisors, section managers and district managers received training over the summer (below) from the developer of the curriculum, Dr. Cynthia Lietz of Arizona State University. Participants received two days of training of Strengths-Based Supervision (SBS), a model of supervision that was developed for child welfare settings; nine follow-up email Learning Tips; and two follow-up "Coaching Calls" with Dr. Lietz.

Although the analysis of pre- and post-test surveys from supervisors and direct reports is in process, the training was noted by many involved as one of the best to be presented on supervision. The Wayne Together Workforce Change Committee, however, is taking the training to another level of support. Program Coordinator Angela Olivera and program leadership Takisha LaShore, Anwar Najor Durack, Megan Piel, and Joanne Sobeck developed a bi-monthly follow-up curriculum and activities to encourage the application of elements of the Strengths-Based Supervision in practice. Six DHHS champions are working closely with the Wayne State team undergoing training in group facilitation and content related to six key modules to be implemented in each district office beginning in November. The goal is to develop communities of practice for SBS for DHHS supervisors who can support each other as they continue to implement these evidence-based practices with their direct reports in child welfare.

Wayne State University's new comprehensive marketing campaign, Warrior Strong, launched Oct. 16, following a year of preparation and planning. According to Vice President of Communications and Chief of Staff Michael Wright "The attributes of a warrior courage, tenacity, selflessness, success, drive aren't limited to the athletic field or the battlefield. These are virtues we all aspire to, and we heard example after example of these attributes when we talked to alumni, students and faculty. This is something Wayne State can own proudly." The new campaign also includes the introduction of the new Warrior Shield logo. Read more.