LANSING -- The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) Leadership Academy has been selected as one of the Top 50 programs in the 2007 Innovations in American Government Awards competition. The program was selected from nearly 1,000 applications and will be considered for a $100,000 grant.

The DHS Leadership Academy selects high potential leaders and accelerates their professional skill development through a two-year intensive program to prepare them for high level positions at DHS. Academy participants are trained in a broad range of leadership competencies rather than groomed for particular positions.

"Investing in our staff to prepare future leaders is just one way we can help make Michigan a great place to live, learn and earn," DHS Director Marianne Udow said. "We can provide better service to the people of Michigan when leaders are prepared to take on additional responsibilities."

A total of 62 DHS employees have graduated from the Leadership Academy from its inception in 2001 through 2004. An additional 48 employees are currently enrolled in the two academies running concurrently. A total of 27 academy members have been promoted since entering the program.

DHS, like most organizations, is projected to lose many of its top leaders to retirement in the next three to five years. Currently 34.7 percent of DHS top leaders are eligible for retirement, and 74 percent will be eligible within five years.

"To be included among the Top 50 innovative programs shows that our program really is on the cutting edge of developing leaders of tomorrow," said Bill Patrick, director of the DHS Office of Professional Development. "We are hopeful that the DHS Leadership Academy makes it to the top spot."

The Innovations in American Government Program, administered by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, is a significant force in recognizing and promoting excellence and creativity in the public sector. By highlighting exemplary models of government's innovative performance, the program serves as a catalyst for continued progress in addressing the nation's most pressing public concerns. Each final winner is eligible to receive a grant of $100,000 to be directed toward replication and dissemination activities.

For more information about the awards program, go to http://www.innovationsaward.harvard.edu