ADVANCE Provider Leadership TrainingADVANCE Logo

 

Training Our Next Generation of Leaders

Recognizing the critical importance of developing tomorrow’s leaders, OPRA proudly offers the ADVANCE Provider Leadership Training, a year-long development experience led by OPRA Vice President Scott Marks.

As Ohio’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) system continues to evolve, the field faces an urgent need for skilled, experienced, and forward-thinking executives. The ADVANCE Training is designed to ensure that provider organizations across the state have a strong pipeline of leaders who are knowledgeable, confident, and prepared to guide agencies into the future. This program is intended for employees identified as having the potential to grow into exceptional administrative leaders—both today and in the years ahead.

Program Outcomes

Participants in the ADVANCE Provider Leadership Training will:

  • Gain a research-backed foundation in leadership, including modern frameworks and best practices used by effective executives.
  • Develop a deeper understanding of the history, evolution, and philosophy of Ohio’s developmental disabilities system.
  • Build in-depth knowledge of system operations, key partners, and how Ohio’s service delivery ecosystem functions and connects.
  • Strengthen core executive competencies, including strategic thinking, communication, change management, and relationship-building.

Details

The ADVANCE Training is a year-long intensive leadership development program beginning in January and concluding in October.

The class meets virtually via Zoom on the 4th Thursday of every other month, with the exception of the final two sessions from 9am - 12pm:

  • January 22, 2026
  • March 26, 2026
  • May 28, 2026
  • July 23, 2026
  • September 24, 2026
  • October 15, 2026

Assigned readings, resources and other materials will be provided for participants in advance of each session. 

Because this is an intensive professional commitment, only one (1) excused absence is permitted for the duration of the program.

Cost

  • OPRA Members - One (1) individual from a member organization may attend for $400. 
    • Additional attendees from the same member organization may participate at a tuition rate of $1,000.00 each.   
  • Non-Members - Attendees may participate at a tuition rate of $1,500.00. 
  • Payment for participation must be paid in full prior to the first meeting.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Inquiries & Applicants

For general and registration information, please contact Sonya Summers, Member Communications Manager at ssummers@opra.org.     

For specific information about ADVANCE: Provider Leadership Training, please contact Scott Marks, OPRA Vice President at smarks@opra.org