Certified Public Manager Program for Child Welfare Specialists

Please note: this program is available only to employees of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.

The Naifeh Center is proud to run the Tennessee Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS). This program provides an in-depth, comprehensive, competency-based and nationally certified development program for child welfare specialists within DCS.

Program participants can expect:

• High-quality instruction that enhances workplace effectiveness.
• Increased self-awareness of behavioral style, values, beliefs and strengths in performance.
• Enhanced skills to manage and inspire positive change in the workplace.
• Tools to sharpen personal and professional leadership styles.

Program Structure

This year-long program provides instruction on leveraging your strengths through in-person sessions and online exercises. This specialized CPM program consists of 300 total hours of training and is designed according to the requirements of the National Certified Public Manager Consortium. 

This is a hybrid program designed for working professionals, and we accommodate busy schedules by hosting some coursework online. Each module is offered in West, Middle and East Tennessee, which makes in-person training more flexible for participants.

Course Outline & Topics

The program consists of the following course topics:

• Personal and organizational integrity
• Developing self
• Managing work
• Public service focus
• Leading people
• Change leadership
• Systemic integration
  
  

Participants have the option to participate in strengths assessments such as Gallup StrengthsFinder and CPI 260. Additional content focuses on common expectations of the child welfare specialist position.

Capstone Projects

A major component of the program is the capstone project. Participants choose a capstone project topic that creates positive change in their organizations. By applying concepts learned in the program, participants can implement real-world ideas and solutions proposed by the capstone project.