Final project submitted by Marisa Crawford Gray February 9, 2010

The H.E.A.R.T. program is a grant funded opportunity provided by the DOL at Kansas City Kansas Community College. The grant was designed to meet the tourism growth that is happening in the community. The community is challenged to find qualified employees due to low skills and experience. Participants are involved in an eight week training receiving classroom curriculum, hands on experience and field trip opportunities in the area of Hospitality or Retail industries. Successful participants will receive a national certification in hospitality or retail that is recognized by the industry

The new administrative team for the H.E.A.R.T. program is responsible for goals and objectives that we not written by them and will be difficult to achieve in the allotted time remaining with the grant. As program coordinator, I have the responsibility of assembling a new staff, overseeing the curriculum requirements of the grant; marketing and recruitment of the program and submitting all necessary reports as required by the Department of Labor (DOL). This is the first grant management project I have been involved with in a leadership capacity. One of the over-arching challenges for the management of this grant is in addition to my other responsibilities as Business Development Liaison for the college

Support Staff

Ddean H.E.A.R.T. Program Coordinator

Case Manager Financial Officer

H.E.A.R.T. Instructors

KCKCC President Dean,

Business & Continuing Education

H.E.A.R.T. Advisory Board

As a leader of the H.E.A.R.T. Project, the leadership styles that I am most comfortable with are the authoritative, democratic, affiliative, and the coaching. At the beginning of the project, using the Authoritative method to share the vision and as changes needed to take place quickly provided the guidance in a positive manner. Using Affiliative, I am able to create harmony and build relationships between the instructors, staff and the participants of the program.

Working with the goals that had been established for the program, using the Democratic approach we were able to move forward with an agreed plan of action. We have team meetings to check in and provide assistance to anyone experiencing challenges. Coaching is used to help the Case Manager gain confidence in working with other adults and making group presentations.

Coaching skills are also used with the support staff as we transfer her scrap booking skills to a business format. We have also strengthened her people skills as she works with the volunteers of our Advisory Board. Working with the instructors from the industry, coaching and affiliative skills are used to provide training assistance as they deliver quality programs.

Personnel Grant Management Time Management Grant Outcomes

Support staff is a creative scrape booker unaccustomed to working with professional business look. Also challenged, working with volunteer advisory board and multiple projects at once. Industry professionals serving as instructors not familiar with academic teaching standards Case manager is former high school teacher, but not comfortable with giving directions to other adults. Creating a team atmosphere in a short period of time with individuals that dont work in the same facility.

Third set of administration brought in to complete the initial two year grant. I was assigned management of this grant with only 9 months to complete a 2 year project. This is my first grant management project Recruitment and implementation of grant after a one year hiatus, branding effect Quarterly reports- financial expectations/restrictions

As the Grant Coordinator I am only available to devote 40% of my time to grant implementation, in addition to my responsibilities as Business Development Liaison Working within the timeframe of the approved grant The need to build community partners for recruitment and industry partners for support of the program with hiring qualified students that complete the class Recruitment of participants within the desired age group Scheduling classes to meet the needs of the industry targeted

Data driven receiving supporting information from the Research division Outcomes listed in grant are unrealistic to achieve in current economic times Designed to impact unemployment levels for 19-25 year old population that we have not been able to reach. Recent classes have not met age group but have created a new market of people aged 45 and above to be trained. Evaluation and follow-up from the program participants and completers Meeting financial expenditure obligations

Communication at all times with all levels is key to an effective program When making decisions consider the desired outcomes when developing the process Are there policies, strategic plans or procedures that must be adhered to Determine the players that need to be involved Gaining consensus on actions needed Keeping all players involved in the communication of what needs to happen, what has happened and what are the gaps/next steps Evaluating and Informing others of outcomes

We have a number of audiences that we must constantly communicate with: H.E.A.R.T. Staff members H.E.A.R.T. Instructors H.E.A.R.T. Participants Kansas City Kansas Community College Stakeholders Hospitality & Retail Industry Kansas City Metro Area Community Department of Labor

Face to face E-mails KCKCC web-site Newsletters Posters Flyers Direct Mail Social Media (face book, twitter, threads, etc.)

Determine the issue, gather the facts Are there policy matters surrounding the issue Have a private conversation with parties involved, in a non threatening environment. Allow time to hear all sides Find common ground (brainstorm solutions) Work to implement any changes needed to avoid repeat of situation Check back with all parties periodically Acknowledgement of progress or changes

An example of a conflict that was encountered occurred with between the support staff and myself. I had asked for materials to be developed for the project. Support staff preferred to receive request from my direct supervisor instead of me. We resolved the matter with a meeting outlining the chain of command, preferred request style and provided a system for project check-ins.

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What change needs to happen Who are the players (key decision makers, resource and those impacted by change) Articulate Goals Determine task and roles Take Action and implementation of plans Reinforce change collect data, analyze feedback, determine gaps Acknowledge successful outcomes

The H.E.A.R.T. Program will be success full because we have too many people depending on the outcome. The opportunity to make an impact in someones life is a responsibility that cant be taken lightly The personal growth opportunity afforded me is a challenge that I am willing to take advantage of Being an effective leader, caring for others and building a program that can be the beginning for new direction for me. It is a commitment that I do not take lightly and want to do my best with the skills that I am acquiring.