The goal of the Kansas Public Health Certificate Program is to enhance the effectiveness of the public health work force in Kansas. It is a joint effort of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the University of Kansas Public Management Center, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This program is based on fundamental leadership competencies and the basic knowledge and skills needed to perform as an effective manager. The program is balanced between emphasis on managing work and on leading people. Topics include leadership competencies, leadership practices, fundamentals of employment law, communication, conflict management, and negotiation.
Strong emphasis is placed on the difficult transformation from independent producer to manager.
Participants are advised on what to expect and how to cope with the stresses associated with their new role. In an organization that uses competencies-based management development, every manager can understand how to gain and hold the trust of his or her employees, accept job responsibilities without hesitation, and learn to be an inspiration to the staff. The Competencies-Based Management Development System shows organizations how to place these core competencies permanently at the center when designing management positions, hiring managers, providing manager feedback, or developing training and mentoring for managers. The KU Public Management Center and the KU Department of Public Administration have for many years fostered a program partnership. The curriculum and philosophy of the KU MPA have been the cornerstones for Public Management Center training and technical assistance.