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Casey Foundation Launches Fellowship for Children and Families

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New Haven, CT – The Annie E. Casey Foundation and its direct service agency, Casey Family Services, today announced the launch of a leadership development initiative for executives and managers within New Haven’s nonprofit and public sectors.

The Elm City Fellowship Program for Children and Families is a nine-month program that strives to increase the pool of diverse, visionary leaders with the confidence and competence to create supports and systems that help families achieve better outcomes. The program also aims to cultivate professionals who can lead and sustain major system reforms and community change initiatives benefiting large numbers of children and families.

“We are seeking candidates for 10 fellowships,” said Raymond Torres, vice president of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and executive director of Casey Family Services. “The fellowship will provide a series of workshops focusing on the practice of leadership, and the application of specific tools, techniques, and behavioral competencies in the leaders’ organizations and spheres of influence,” added John Padilla, Casey Foundation senior fellow and fellowship director.

Core components of the program are as follows:

• Multicultural competence
• Organizational effectiveness
• A leadership development model built on self-awareness and reflection
• Management skills training in areas such as supervision, governance, fiscal planning and management, and strategic planning.
• Partnering with peer mentors from public and private sectors.

“The fellowship is for emerging leaders whose organizations serve residents of the City of New Haven,” Padilla added. Successful candidates will be committed to building a career in the public or nonprofit sector and have a minimum of five to seven years of diverse professional experience with increasing levels of responsibility in fields that serve children and families. First-time executive directors, deputies, program managers, and department heads will benefit most from the program. All fellows will receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

The Fellowship will convene for two days every month from October 2008 through June 2009, with workshops ranging from full- to half-day sessions and at least one overnight retreat. Candidates may apply or be nominated to participate in the Elm City Fellows program. Application and nomination forms are available online at http://www.caseyfamilyservices.org. Application packages must include the application, a current resume, and two recommendations. Completed applications are due by close of business on Friday, August 29, 2008. Selected finalists will participate in an interview process prior to final selection on September 26, 2008.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation is the nation’s largest private foundation devoted exclusively to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and families. It was established in 1948 by Jim Casey, a founder of UPS. In 1976, the Foundation established its direct service agency, Casey Family Services, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to offer quality foster care. Today, with divisions in both Bridgeport and Hartford and headquarters in New Haven, Casey Family Services offers a range of services aimed at preserving and achieving families for life for children in or at risk of entering foster care throughout New England and in Baltimore, Maryland.