CERTIFICATE OF MANAGEMENT
IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Program Goal

The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) and Suffolk University are collaborating on a new graduate level Certificate in Management of Health and Human Services Program in 2003.  The purpose of this venture is to increase the ranks of Portuguese-speaking management professionals in the field of non-profit health and social services, expanding the community’s capacity to serve its own constituents in a culturally and linguistically competent manner. 

In its first year, the program is expected to result in the awarding of Certificates to 30 individuals.  This will significantly improve the ability of health and social service organizations in Massachusetts and surrounding areas to fill management vacancies in a timely manner with professionals who are trained in the most current service provision and administrative methods.

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Why a Certificate Program?

Management positions—especially those in the lower and middle echelons—often go begging at small and medium-sized health and human service (HHS) organizations throughout the region.  This is not always a reflection on an employer’s ability to provide competitive compensation packages or an attractive work environment.  In fact, personnel offices are frequently flooded with applications from individuals who want to fill those vacancies.  The reality is that most of the applicants are not qualified to take on the increasingly complex responsibilities of an HHS management position, including such diverse challenges as program planning, implementation and evaluation, fiscal oversight, staff supervision, resource development and community/government relations, to name a few.  

In addition, linguistic minority providers face the greater hurdle of finding trained applicants who are conversant with the language and culture of the people they are going to serve.  Most of our Portuguese-speaking professionals choose other fields of endeavor because the available community resources do not encourage them to go into the HHS field.  It can take many months to hire or promote a qualified manager, and often the employer must still provide intensive training before that new manager can begin to fulfill all of his or her duties.  Such training requires a large time investment, often from top management and staff who are already stretched well beyond their routine duties in times of lean administrative, program and clerical support. 

Staff retention also becomes difficult when, aside from any issues of compensation or innate ability, the new employee either a) is unable to get up to speed because training is not provided in a thorough and coordinated manner; or b) desires to upgrade his/her skills beyond the capacity of education and training programs that are available during evening and weekend hours.  This situation can create a state of constant turnover in management positions, eroding an organization's ability to implement, manage and evaluate programs in a timely manner, in accordance with its mission.  Lack of continuous, skilled and appropriate management can ultimately cause serious damage to programs and central administration, and sends a negative message to funders that can cause them to withdraw their support to the organization.

Although training programs do exist in public and human services management, serious barriers exist to seeking formal training among younger not-for-profit staff, including:

¨      Lack of financial resources to pay for education;

¨      Inadequate release time from work responsibilities, and

¨      Lack of correlation between the existing programs and the specific skill sets required by human service managers.

It is not uncommon for graduate level courses to cost in excess of $1,500 each even at accessible schools, with multi-credit courses and multi-course programs the norm rather than the exception.  Should young managers choose to make the economic investment to undergo formal training, often the community-based organization is unable to reimburse them for the cost.  Furthermore, these study programs often take place after regular working hours or on Saturdays, requiring an additional sacrifice in terms of domestic and personal time, at a span in their life course when most middle managers are raising families. Finally, most training programs address the needs and concerns of managers in large not-for-profit organizations, such as hospitals, and the coursework is often irrelevant to managers in small and mid-sized community-based organizations.

In order to address these barriers and provide a useful program of formal training, MAPS and Suffolk University have developed a one-year, integrated learning and working Health & Human Services (HHS) Management Certificate Program that will effectively begin to address the scarcity of qualified not-for-profit middle managers.  The program, based on a highly successful model that the University has implemented with other health and social service agencies such as the Latin American Health Institute, allows individuals to obtain the skills and information they need to advance in HHS management in a short period of time without leaving their jobs or sacrificing either their often limited savings or their valuable personal time.  The MAPS/Suffolk program will have the added bonus of linguistically and culturally competent faculty who will be able to teach in the context of services geared toward the Portuguese-speaking community.  This linguistic/cultural capacity will greatly assist some of the students who might have struggled somewhat with the technical terms related to HHS management as presented in a mainstream academic program.

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About MAPS

MAPS, a private, nonprofit, community-based agency, has provided a wide range of health and human services to Portuguese speakers and other  eastern Massachusetts residents since 1970.  The agency in its present form was created on July 1, 1993 from the merger of the Somerville Portuguese Language League (SPAL) and the Cambridge Organiza­tion of Portu­guese Americans (COPA), two nonprofit agencies serving the Portu­guese-speaking community since the early 1970s. 

From its offices in Somerville, East Cambridge,  Allston, Dorchester and Lowell,  MAPS offers a variety of programs designed to improve this large and growing minority population’s  access to economic opportunity, housing, health care and social services.  MAPS is the only area organization that breaks down barriers for newcomers from Brazil, Cape Verde, Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries by providing a wide range of health and human services in a culturally and linguistically competent manner.

MAPS provides direct services as well as promoting unity and empowerment among the diverse Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts.  The agency also plays an increasing role in community capacity building and advocacy.  MAPS served more than 19,000 people in FY 2002, including both direct and indirect services.  All the programs at MAPS are dedicated to helping people overcome cross-cultural difficulties so that they may become bicultural and contribute to their new communities.  Over the past three decades, MAPS' staff has helped thousands of newcomers find jobs and homes, resolve immigration problems, learn English, become citizens and cope with the concerns of aging.  The agency has helped thousands more come to grips with substance abuse, AIDS and other important health issues.  

MAPS is governed by a 21-person Board of Directors, including immigrants and descendants of  immigrants from Portugal, Brazil and Cape Verde who have a variety of professional backgrounds.  Nearly all of MAPS’ staff of approximately 40 are bilingual, bicultural members of the target Portuguese- and Cape Verdean-Creole speaking communities.  MAPS also maintains an active core of volunteers from the target community who assist in program planning, implementation and evaluation.

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About Suffolk University

Suffolk University is a private university founded in 1906.  It began as a law school for Boston's working class and today has an enrollment of 8,000 students in its schools of Arts & Science, Management, and Law.  The main campus is located in downtown Boston. The University remains committed to its founding goals, offering courses in the evening and on weekends for its working professional/ part-time students.

The Frank Sawyer School of Management offers undergraduate business programs, as well as MBA and MPA degree programs at its graduate level. Its fully accredited programs are taught by more than 200 management experts, half of whom are full-time faculty and half of whom are working professionals in their fields of expertise.

The Public Management Department, with eight full-time and 15 part-time faculty, began offering its graduate MPA degree 25 years ago.  It has graduated  more than 1,500 students, the majority of whom attend on a part-time basis while maintaining their work responsibilities.  Taking a pragmatic approach to public service management, students in the program build knowledge and skills highly valued in all levels of government, public service organizations, non-profit and for-profit settings.

Suffolk's MPA Program is nationally recognized and fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. The basic 45-credit program can be tailored to accommodate concentrations in health care, non-profit management, disability studies, finance & human resources, and state and local government.  It can also be partnered with an MS in Mental Health Counseling, an MS in Criminal Justice, or a law degree.  In addition, a Master in Health Administration program is offered.

There are currently 150 enrolled students, representing wide diversity in age, race, sex, disability and country of origin. The primary goal of the program is to provide learning opportunities to the current and future generation of public service managers.  It therefore has a flexible approach to admission and developing certificate/graduate credit-modules, which can be offered in a variety of community settings.  Public Service scholarships and Fellowships for both a promising state employee and a community worker are awarded annually.

The program has a strong network of alumni and professional adjunct faculty, providing access for its students and graduates to the broad field of public service.  Students and faculty are expected to participate in community service: either through formal internships with such diverse organizations as YouthBuild Boston, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Governor's Office, the state Court's Community Probation Department, and the federal Centers for Disease Control; or by faculty/student participation in a wide range of evaluation and consulting projects, such as the Boston Public Health Commission's Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs, community policing in Somerville, Portuguese-speaking services at MAPS,  and Family Reunification/Family Based Services for Boston's children and families.

The Public Management faculty who will offer the Human Service Management Certificate in conjunction with MAPS are longstanding members of the MPA graduate program.  They have extensive public service management experience (in the public and non-profit sectors), as well as outstanding academic teaching and research in their fields.  The Certificate Program, while adapted to address the needs of the participants, will meet the academic rigor necessary to grant Suffolk MPA graduate credit.  On its own, it will provide a solid managerial foundation to community worker/students, allowing them to meet their organization's needs more responsibly and creatively.

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Program Structure

The HHS program will consist of five 5-week Training Blocks. As indicated in the following chart, each 5-week Block will consist of two modules. The topics for the modules were selected after surveying MAPS middle and senior managers extensively, and after consultation with Professors Marie Matava and Clarence Cooper of Suffolk University’s Public Management Department.

 

The Curriculum and 2003 Program Schedule

The specific content of the modules will be adjusted to the level of experience and knowledge base of the participants, and coursework will reflect familiar situations and challenges for human services middle managers.  The course listing and schedule is listed below:

Each Training Block will take place on five consecutive Fridays, and participants will be released from their work duties in order to attend.   Classes will take place all day Fridays. The morning class will be from 9 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon class will be from 1-4 p.m.  Each module will include lectures, writing assignments, project research and testing including a final exam.

Community-based organizations taking part in the program will agree to facilitate the fullest participation of their lower and middle managers. There will be a 4-6 week break between Training Blocks, to prevent backlogs in the execution of responsibilities and tasks by participating managers.

The program courses will be given at the MAPS Cambridge office, 1046 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA during the first year.  The expectation is that the program will be replicated the following year in Lowell so that individuals from northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire can access this educational and professional advancement opportunity.

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Course Descriptions

Health and Human Service Management I and II
(PAD 815 is the equivalent graduate course)
The course is designed to provide an understanding of the history and management of human services in both the public and private sectors. It will examine organizational constituencies and will analyze their, often conflicting, importance and opinions. It will also explore effective problem solving techniques that are designed to lead to the development and maintenance of good community relations and to result in the successful achievement of the organization’s mission.

The goal of this course is to expose students to a variety of organizational problems, not only those that relate to the needs of the organization, but also those that relate to the needs of consumers as they attempt to use the organization’s services. In this course, the words “client” and “community relations” will be used broadly. “Clients” will include not only recipients and users of the organization’s services, but also the general public, funding sources, authority forces, courts, bosses, competitors, peers, employees, and others. “Community relations” means the relationship that an organization has with all its clients. Maintaining good community relations is an art, not a science and it involves the recognition and application of power, leadership, compromise and risk-taking. Professor Sandy Matava

Human Resources I & II
(PAD 716 is the equivalent graduate course)
This course addresses relevant issues affecting the management of human resources in the nonprofit sector, such as recruitment, interviewing, hiring, compensation, benefits, orientation and training, job descriptions, assessing employee performance, legal issues and discipline. Classes and readings will examine principles of personnel management over time. Current issues, both simple and complex will be discussed. Professor Clarence Cooper

Financial Management I & II
(PAD 713 is the equivalent graduate course)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to financial control concepts in the public and nonprofit sectors and provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make financial decisions. Students will acquire general knowledge in the fields of accounting and auditing (performance, operational and financial). Students will learn how to analyze financial statements, use indirect and differential costs in pricing decisions, and perform cost-benefit analysis based on net present value. Professor Riche Zamor

Legal and Ethical Issues for Non-Profits
The Non-Profit Law and Ethics Course is designed to give non-lawyers basic training about laws that affect not for profit organizations, executive directors and managers/supervisors. Using case studies, group and class exercises, and homework assignments, this course will use “real-life” experience to help students think about the legal impacts of decisions they may make and how best to choose from various options. Students completing this course should have developed a methodology for identifying issues that can trigger a legal response and processes for best protecting their organizations, their clients, and themselves. Professor David Wright

Entrepreneurship, Fundraising and Marketing Strategies
This course will focus on organizational survival and enhancement achieved through leadership, planning, risk management and enterprise. This course focuses on the nonprofit as an entrepreneurial business. The course will examine non-profit market economics, competition, product differentiation, market research, and innovative non-profit products and services. This course provides an in-depth look at today’s philanthropic trends and patterns and best practices in fundraising techniques. Professor Laura Watkins

Grants and Grants Writing
The United States grant labyrinth will be explored, both governmental and non-governmental. This course will stress the understanding and skills needed in locating a grant fund, grant preparation, programming and management. Professor Kevin Soyt

Community and Organizational Capacity Building
This course will focus on building powerful community organizations, empower ordinary citizens and bring about change on social and economic issues. Professor Paulo Pinto

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Instructor Background

Principal Instructors/Program Coordinators

Paulo Pinto, MPA, has been the Executive Director of MAPS since 2000.  He has served the Portuguese-speaking community throughout his17-year career in the health and social service field, and has been at MAPS since 1994, holding positions as Program Administrator for Disease Prevention and Education Programs and Deputy Executive Director before being appointed by the Board of Directors to his current position.   Before joining MAPS, Mr. Pinto served as Executive Director of the Immigrants Assistance Center, Inc. of New Bedford for four years.  Prior to that he held several other community positions and has performed extensive volunteer work.  A native of Portugal who was raised in Mozambique, Mr. Pinto immigrated to the US in 1980.  He holds a BA in Political Science and English from the University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth and his MPA from Suffolk University's Sawyer School of Management.  He is a member of the American Society for Public Administration, a member of the Joint Public Health Board of the Cambridge Health Alliance and a member of the Board of Directors of YouthBuild Boston.

Marie A. (Sandy) Matava, MPA, is Administrative Coordinator and Faculty member of the Public Management Department at Suffolk University, where she has been employed since 1991.  She is responsible for administration of the Department and for teaching courses in Public Policy Analysis, Human Services Integration, Financial Management, Client and Community Relations, and Managing State Government.  From 1991-1993, she was a Senior Fellow at the John W. McCormack Institute of the University of Massachusetts, focusing on social policy issues that relate to family life and community-based service delivery systems. 

Ms. Matava was Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS) from 1983-1991.  Before that, she served as a management consultant, Deputy Commissioner for DSS,  and Commissioner for the Commission for the Blind, among other positions.  She has lectured and published extensively in the HHS field, as well as accomplishing a variety of research, receiving many awards in her field including Suffolk University's Outstanding MPA Alumna Award and Outstanding Faculty Award, the Child and Family Services Award for Outstanding Advocacy on Behalf of Families and Children and more.   Ms. Matava holds a BA in Communications and Psychology from the University of Connecticut at Storrs, and her MPA from the Suffolk University Sawyer School of Management, among other academic credits.

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Other Instructors

Lorraine Carli, MA, teaches at Emerson College and Suffolk University. She is a public relations consultant to a variety of organizations including the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and AIDS Action Committee, and is the former Director of Public Affairs for the Mass. Dept of Social Services.

Clarence Cooper, MPA, is an Associate Professor in the Public Management Department at Suffolk University and former Undersecretary of Massachusetts Health and Human Services.

Laura Watkins, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor at Suffolk, is Executive Director of the Patriot's Trail Girl Scout Council.

David Wright, JD,  is an Adjunct Professor at Suffolk and Executive Director of the African American Federation.

Riche Zamor, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Professor at Suffolk and the Executive Director of the Latin American Health Institute.

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Evaluation

Student progress will be evaluated throughout the course of the Certificate Program year, based on course work, class participation, test results and supervision by both the instructors and the students' employers, who will be asked to evaluate student progress and skills advancement.  Students in turn will be asked to fill out evaluation forms for each module of the program. 

A longitudinal study will be performed by Suffolk University and MAPS one year after completion of the first Certificate Program year.  Students who have completed the program will be asked to complete a survey to determine how well the program served their own education and training needs, how it affected their professional careers  and its community impact. 

Tuition

The tuition cost for the Certificate Program is approximately $1,250/student, but the goal for the first year at least is to obtain sufficient resources from the funding community so that all 30 students can attend tuition-free. If that is not possible, some tuition costs will be passed on to the students.  Students may incur some expense for educational materials (as noted below), and each Sponsoring Agency is required to pay a $100 agency application fee.  The program is also open to community members who are not currently working at HHS agencies but who are interested in getting into the field and have the requisite educational and/or work background.  These individuals would have to pay the $100 application fee themselves.

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Participant Selection

Applicants for the program must meet the following basic criteria:

1.       Have management responsibilities, or be in line to assume them in the near future.

2.       BA/BS degree or 10 years of HHS work experience.

3.       Have a written recommendation and approval of their direct supervisor.

4.       Commit to completing the entire one-year program and to remain in the employ of their current employee for at least one year after graduation.

5.       Agree to invest a maximum of $50 per Training Block ($250 maximum for the program) in educational materials, if required for graduate credits and if not covered by their current employers.

6.       Agree to inclusion of program completion as an element of the annual performance evaluation.

Applicants will be jointly screened by Suffolk University Prof. Sandy Matava and Paulo Pinto, MAPS Executive Director, the Program Management Team.  The screening team will evaluate potential students' potential to gain from the program an ability to carry out their agencies' missions with greater skill, knowledge, effectiveness and efficiency.

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Attendance Policy

Class participation is important.  Anyone missing more than two of the 10 sessions in one module will receive a warning.  Anyone missing more than four of the 10 sessions in a module will be terminated from the program.  If for any reason students must be absent, they need to inform MAPS and their employers, as well as making arrangement with the specific instructor(s) for make-up work.

Completion - GRADUATION

Participants who complete the 10 modules in the five Training Blocks will receive their Certificates in Health & Human Services Management, issued jointly by MAPS and Suffolk University. Those participants who excel in the successful completion of the program will receive Certificates with Distinction.

MAPS expects that the experience will motivate participants to continue their graduate-level studies. MAPS/Suffolk University will offer one $1,000 in graduation awards annually to help an HHS graduate pursue an advanced degree at Suffolk.  Furthermore, all graduates of the HHS program may apply nine (9) graduate level credits (equivalent to $5,400).  The following table illustrates number of credits needed for master's programs at Suffolk University.

Master of Public Administration	45 cr.
Master of Health Administration	45 cr.
MPA/ Master of Science in Mental Health	60 cr.
MPA/Master of Science in Criminal Justice	54 cr.
Certificate of Advanced Studies in Public Administration	15 cr.

 

To meet the requirements for graduate credits, upon completion of the CHHS program, students will be required to submit a 10-15 page paper about their agencies using material learned from the program.  They must submit their papers within one year of completing the program.

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Sponsoring Agency Responsibilities

Agencies who wish to sponsor an employee(s) for enrollment in the HHS Program must pay a $100 Agency Registration Fee per student, and agree to give enrolled employees paid time off in order to attend classes and to adjust their work requirements accordingly.  In return, all HHS enrollees will commit themselves to continued employment with their sponsoring agency for at least one year following their graduation.

Application Process

Applications are due September 5, 2003 and admission decisions will be made shortly thereafter for the October 3, 2003 enrollment. All applications must include the following:

• Completed application form
• Supervisor Recommendation/Agency Commitment Form*
• A two- to three-page essay, typed double-spaced with one-inch margins, explaining why the applicant wishes to enroll in the Certificate Program and how the Certificate would benefit both the applicant and the community.

Each Program cycle is expected to enroll 30 students.

Deadline and Rolling Admissions Policy:
All applications must be received by September 5, 2003 for the 2003-2004 Program. The Program has a rolling admissions policy. Applications will be reviewed and qualified students admitted on an ongoing basis as long as there are still slots available, until the September 5 deadline. Graduation for the 2003-2004 Program will take place in June 2004.

*Applicants not currently working for an HHS organization do not need to have the Agency Commitment portion of the form filled out.

Classes will start Friday October 3, 2003 at the MAPS Cambridge Office

Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers-Suffolk University

Health and Human Services Management Certificate Program

Application Form

(Please attach completed Supervisor's Recommendation/Agency Commitment form.)

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name_________________________________________________________________

Home Address______________________________________________________________

                ^{Street Address}

                     ^{City                                                                                                                     State                                        Zip code}

Home telephone number _____________________

Home Email ____________________________________ 

Gender     Male        Female

Age Group:     20-29                       30-39           40-49           50+

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Agency Affiliation ______________________________________________________________________

Job Title ______________________________________________________________________

Work Address ______________________________________________________________________

                                                      ^{Street Address}                                        

City: ____________________________________________________________  State: _________________________    Zip code ; _________________

Work phone ____________________ Work email _______________________

Fax ____________________

Brief Description of Job Duties ______________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Briefly Describe your Previous Work Experience ______________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Supervisor [name/ phone number] ____________________________________/______________________

·        Years of professional experience? ____yrs    How many were you in supervisory/managerial positions? ____yrs

·        Describe what you think will be your next job ______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

·        Are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree in management?    Yes___    No ___  Why? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

·        What are the three main objectives/areas of expertise that you would like to be able to perform/gain from your participation in the HHS Management Program?

1.      _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.      _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We are trying to better identify the population we are serving.  Would you please complete the following questions?

Please indicate your race/ethnicity: 

   American Indian or Alaska Native                                   Asian    

   Black or African American                                               White

   Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander                      Other 

                                                            (please describe)_____________

Please indicate your ethnicity:

   Latino/Hispanic                                                       Brazilian

   Haitian                                                                     Cape Verdean

   Portuguese                                                              African American

   African                                                                     Vietnamese

   Chinese                                                                   Japanese

       Filipino                            

What is your country of origin? ___________________________________________________________________

I understand that my enrollment in the HHS Management Certificate Program requires my commitment to attend classes, pay for class materials, as required (to a maximum of $50/session unless covered by my employer),  and participate fully.  And, in exchange for my agency's supporting my participation by providing me with paid time off to attend classes, I agree to continue working for my current employer for one year after graduation from the program.

Applicant signature ___________________________________________________

Date____/____/____

maps-Suffolk University

Health and Human Services Management Certificate Program

Supervisor's Recommendation/Agency Commitment Form

Applicant's Name:___________________________________________________

Supervisor's Recommendation:  Please complete the following or attach a  signed recommendation letter.

I have supervised the applicant for _______ years, and have known the applicant's work for ________years.  In comparison with other individuals you have known at comparable stages in their careers, I would rate the applicant’s overall qualifications and promise for future leadership:

Below average _____ Average ______ Somewhat above average ______

Top 25% _____ Top 10% _______

In five years, I expect the applicant to be able to assume a position as? ______________________________________________________________________

I recommend the applicant for participation in the HHS Program  ___without reservation  or  ____highly.  I base my recommendation on the following factors:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Supervisor's Signature__________________________________________________

As the applicant's Sponsoring Agency representative, I agree to pay a $100 Agency Registration Fee.   I agree to give enrolled employees paid time off in order to attend classes and to adjust their work requirements accordingly.  I understand that all HHS enrollees will commit themselves to continued employment with their sponsoring agency for at least one year following their graduation.

                                Authorized Sponsoring Agency

Signature_______________________________________

RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: 

HHS Management Admissions Committee, MAPS, 1046 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA  02139