Leadership with Impact: Preparing Health and Human Service Practitioners in the Age of Innovation and Diversity

Leadership with ImpactÂoffers new ways of thinking and approaching complex problems through a conceptual and practical leadership approach founded on innovation and diversity. The authors introduce the I.D.D.E.A. (Innovation, Design, Diversity, Execution, and Assessment) Leadership Framework through which health and human service practitioners can easily design, implement, and evaluate innovative programs to help vulnerable populations and promote organizational and social change. Innovative leaders (also referred to as "social architects" in the text) will have the opportunity to explore complex social issues with an innovative lens and build solutions with the use of the latest evidence, technology, and collaborative practices. Additionally, chapters highlight "leadership profiles" and case scenarios comprised of health and human service leader interviews covering their perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. The content is responsive to social justice issues and prompts innovative leaders to be cognizant of diversity and learning how to recognize and apply culturally proficient practices in the workplace. Finally, the book offers assessment tools for the leader/practitioner to be mindful of their own engagement with others and evaluate their sustainable efforts.

About the Author

Juan Carlos Araque has more than 25 years of experience working in the areas of leadership, evaluation, diversity, violence prevention, education, and positive youth development. He is interested in the research and design of public, private, and nonprofit system structures to support positive child and adolescent development and robust child-adult-community relationship building. Dr. Araque is currently a full-time faculty member at the University of Southern California (USC) Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and teaches graduate courses for the MPA, MSW, and DSW Programs. He provides academic leadership as principal investigator for research projects and authors peer-reviewed research studies. Eugenia L. Weiss is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno. She engages in community practice and program evaluation with vulnerable populations, including survivors of trauma and disenfranchised communities of color. Dr. Weiss is a licensed clinical social worker and clinical psychologist. Besides engaging in academic leadership, she has worked with Latine and military veterans and their families. Along with Dr. Araque, she provides leadership training for emerging Latine leaders in behavioral health equity. Her scholarship is transdisciplinary and has been published in peer-reviewed journals.