National Leadership Institute

The National Partnership for Juvenile Services’ Leadership Institute is designed for current and new/emerging leaders in juvenile justice with a focus toward those leaders (administrators and mid-level management) in juvenile confinement facilities including juvenile detention, corrections, and treatment centers. The NPJS Leadership Institute is an intensive one and a half day long immersion into leadership development. The Institute will focus on three areas of leadership development that will enhance and refine current leadership skills and develop new skills for all participants. Each participant will work through three modules focusing on specific areas of leadership and specific content related to each leadership style.

The modules involve a deep dive into three distinct areas of leadership, which will empower participants to apply these leadership principles into all facets of their work and professional interactions. The value of connecting and networking with peers from across the country and with the Institute speakers will have a lasting impact. Participants will return to work with professional relationships that will both promote and support their ongoing leadership development.

Coaching Leadership

Presented By: Michelle Duhart + Dixie Fosler
Coaching Leadership in Juvenile Justice: Empowering Staff and Transforming Systems
This interactive session explores how coaching-based leadership can serve as a powerful catalyst for positive change within the juvenile justice system. Rooted in core coaching principles—such as active listening, accountability, empathy, and strengths-based development—this approach empowers leaders to create a culture of trust, resilience, and growth. Participants will learn how to shift from directive management to collaborative leadership, enhancing both staff effectiveness and youth outcomes.

Through reflective exercises and peer dialogue, attendees will gain practical strategies to lead with intention, support team development, and meaningfully engage staff and youth. Whether supervising staff or working directly with young people, participants will leave with actionable tools to foster high-performing teams, reduce burnout, and promote a healthy work environment. This session is ideal for current and emerging leaders in juvenile justice who are ready to lead with impact, compassion, and purpose.

Visionary Leadership
Presented By: Daniel McCoy + Brandon Thomison
Changing Culture

One of the biggest challenges in juvenile settings are changing past cultures and retention of staff. For any organization to adopt a change culture it must stop seeing change in a negative lens. Organizations must understand the difference between Change Management and Change Leadership. There are five steps in Changing Culture:

 * Measuring current cultural values

 * Moving with intention to align culture

 * Ensure all parties are invested

 * Transparently communicate and role model the change over and over and over and over and over

 * Prepare to mange emotional responses

 This workshop will actively engage all participants in actively changing culture of their respective organizations regardless of their role and/or tenure.

Transformational Leadership

Presented By: Sarah Gaither + Ryan Gaither

Navigating Resistance to Change

In our rapidly changing line of work, resistance to change is a prevalent and often challenging barrier to growth. This session equips leaders and change agents with the tools to understand, anticipate, and effectively navigate resistance—not by pushing harder, but by leading smarter. Grounded in the principles of transformational leadership, this session explores how to inspire trust, build commitment, and foster resilience in individuals and teams during times of change.

Participants will learn how to apply the four pillars of transformational leadership—idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration—to identify root causes of resistance and turn obstacles into opportunities for growth. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of human behavior during change and a powerful leadership approach to support lasting transformation.