Unit management
“Leadership is a very important component of higher performing organizations. This book presents a breadth and depth of information about leading others and describes what leaders need to excel at and what up-and-coming leaders need to know as they prepare themselves for leadership positions. Taking a balanced approach to leadership allows correctional leaders to influence different people and diverse stakeholder groups in differing situations. Good leaders know when they need to manage rather than lead and how these two activities differ” (p. 71). Chapters cover: an introduction; focus on the leader; leadership of others ad beyond; leadership that is transforming; case study—collaboration shifts a dysfunctional culture; and case study—new leadership as a catalyst for change.
“APEX Resources Directory Volume 2 provides supportive information to correctional agencies embarking on the APEX (Achieving Performance Excellence) journey. It introduces the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Information Center, provides detailed information on creating a communications plan for those implementing the APEX Initiative, describes how to use focus groups to effectively gather information and feed-back, and includes a team development guide for those who want to build teams, enhance team performance, and understand what makes teams an effective part of any organization” (p. 1). Chapters following a view of achieving performance excellence are: introduction; NIC resources; APEX Communication Plan; focus groups—a practical guide; and team development guide; and book summary.
“Through extensive research and analysis, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is offering the field of corrections a comprehensive business model entitled the APEX (Achieving Performance Excellence) Initiative. The APEX Initiative is an agency-driven systems approach to building capacity for higher organizational performance, best practices, data-driven decisionmaking using multiple self-assessment tools, and a Guidebook series with strategies, interventions, and pathways. The APEX Public Safety Model presents a whole-systems view of a correctional agency” (p. v). You definitely want to put this on your must read soon list! Ten chapters follow an introduction to Achieving Performance Excellence (APEX): overview to APEX; APEX Leadership Domain; APEX Organizational Culture Domain; APEX Operations Focus Domain; APEX Stakeholder Domain; APEX Workforce Domain; APEX Strategic Planning Domain; APEX Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management Domain; APEX Results Domain; and developing a 7-step communications plan.
“Culture, including beliefs, assumptions, values, norms, and practices in an organization, determines the success of an organization’s performance and change efforts. This book helps illuminate the role culture plays in an organization that is striving for higher performance ... Knowledge of culture enables an organization to proceed along the path to successful change. The APEX Change Management Model provides a process and map for organizational change based in research and best practices; it engages the human component of the organization to ensure success” (p. 85). Eight chapters follow an introduction to Achieving Performance Excellence (APEX): introduction; organizational culture and change; introduction to change management; APEX Change Management Model; additional elements of successful change management; communications planning during change; change management principles and practices in action—Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA); and changing culture during challenging times.
This meeting looked at marketing, funding, and auditing in large jail systems. Sections contained in this document include: meeting highlights; issues and strategies explored; what marketing the jail means and why do it; identifying creative marketing opportunities; strategies for demonstrating the need for adequate budget resources; identifying undiscovered or under-utilized funding resources; issues for large jail consideration; the jail auditing process -- how it supports jail operations and the effective use of resources; and future meeting issues presentation.
Strategies for developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating work teams within a work unit or agencywide are covered during this 36-hour program. Sections contained in this manual are: why teams?; dimensions of teamwork; teams and the organizational meeting; stages of team development; managing team conflict; and Team Playbook -- playing for performance (a workbook for this course).
A training program for first time correctional supervisors is presented. Sections of this course are: qualities and skill building for supervisors (personal position statement and the cognitive/behavioral model); values dissonance -- personal visa and organizational context; effective communication; making decisions and creating solutions; valuing differences; encouraging performance; team building; and Supervisory Development Plan.
The need for facilitators and staff to support collaborative teams is explained. Topics discussed include: the importance of attending to team process functions; the skills and characteristics of effective facilitators; the role and responsibilities of staff providing support to the team; and identifying facilitation and staff support.
This guidebook “is the second book in the APEX Guidebook series and is designed to help correctional practitioners deepen their knowledge of the Public Safety Model domains. It offers practical suggestions for improving performance and creating positive change by sharing best-practice methods and current literature on higher performance in corrections” (p. ix). APEX itself provides strategies for achieving performance excellence in the Public Safety Model domains—operations (which includes safe and secure supervision and settings and process management), stakeholder focus, workforce focus, strategic planning, measurement/analysis/knowledge management, and results. Eight chapters follow an introduction to Achieving Performance Excellence (APEX): introduction; operations focus—safe and secure supervision and settings; operations focus—process management; stakeholder focus; workforce focus; strategic planning; measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; and results.
