Strategic Plan

Tera Mills
Fort Hays State University
VALUE Program
2015-2016

Understanding mental health leadership

To develop an understanding and passion for the positions in mental health and the leadership
that produces personal growth, development, and rehabilitation.

II. Description of the Problem:

o Overview of the problem:
Indecisiveness and lack of knowledge greatly affects what career path I would
like to follow after graduating in May of 2016. As someone who has jumped from job
idea to job idea, I have struggle coming to a concrete career choice. The only given in this
lifelong battle is that I want to truly make a difference in someones life, that I want to see
everyones path I come across succeed, and be able to lead them to the life they want.
While this is a high aspiration, there are tons of different career paths as well as
volunteerism that can attribute to doing this. So I have to find a field that truly interest me
and where I can see the best future for me.
When looking at a field to pick a career, there is often times misunderstanding
and misconceptions about what the field and positions all entail. These issues and items
can often give a false sense of understanding. After starting my current job at KVC
Health Systems Wheatland Hospital in March of 2015, I found an amazing new interest
that had been lying dormant in me. However, the position receptionist limits my
capabilities to participating with the clients. But it did open my eyes to the field of mental
health careers and potential.
I find that even though I currently work in a psychiatric hospital that I only know
some of the job description in the mental health field and my misunderstanding are
effecting how I view a field that I truly am compassionate about. That my lack of
knowledge and skill are truly affecting my potential to not only become more involved in
the mental health field and my current place of employment but also the possibility of
becoming a leader in my career.

o SWOT:

Strengths: I would consider that my willingness to take time to learn more indepth about different fields within the mental health sector will prove to be very
beneficial in helping me strengthen my knowledge of the field. My resources and
my network of people will help give me the availability of different places to
gather information. I already have an in with a mental health provider by being
employed at KVC, as well as that it is flexible with being in multiple positions
which opens the doors for me jumping into various new roles that I have yet to
experience. Also the fact that I have struggle with personal mental health issues
such as anxiety and depression, while they are not as prominent they do still affect
some of my life and I have seen many family members, friends, and
acquaintances go through mental health battles. So with those experience I
understand the importance of the mental health profession as it comes to changing
and affecting lives. The backing of the leadership department is a big strength as
they are very involved and able to give critical feedback and support.

Weaknesses: I see potential weakness in my lack of motivation, this is an area in

which I struggle and so getting things done with the best effort is a worry. The
timeliness of my action steps can be a factor because of the fact of holidays and
my school and work schedule. Even though my previous mental health
experiences are a major strength for understanding they do cause some fear or
self-doubt if I can following through and if this is the field I truly want to go into.

Missing support from people that I truly am looking for support in, this could
cause a lack of effort and result in negative outcomes through the project.

Opportunities: I see a lot of areas for opportunities because of the fact that the
mental health sector is such a big field. One major opportunity is my current place
of employment. KVC can give me some hands on opportunities to work with
clients and shadow other various roles throughout the hospital. There are multiple
different outreach programs located in Hays beyond KVC, including High Plains,
CASA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and many other places looking to help improve
peoples lives through offering some type of either mental health support or
emotional support. My mentor Jordyn Sanders works in the mental health sector
she provides excellent guidance and feedback to help me strengthen my abilities
and understanding in the mental health field. Mental health is major job sector
with a lot of jobs in the above average growth prediction. Finally, there is an
opportunity to continue my education to further advance me into high roles in
mental health by getting a masters degree or second bachelors.

Threats: Possible threats I face in this project is being discouraged from societal
members and others around me. That I am sticking myself in a field that I do not
quite understand and I could be turned away due to my lack of knowledge. That I
have the door shut on me due to laws and regulations that are in place in the
mental health fields due to not only policy at an organizational level but even the
policies that are put in place nationally that could keep me from completing this
project, halting my growth and understanding in this field. My lack of motivation
could surely also get me into trouble and lead me to not succeed.

o Past and Current Attempts:

Past attempts are very few, other than just trying to understand what different jobs
do at work alone. I never really seek interest and learning about the careers of mental
health until this past year. Current attempts include this project and speaking with
different people in different career tracks in mental health. Taking time to look up specific
job titles and understanding the differences. Learning more about these jobs and what
areas are employing at a greater rate of need is something to also consider and something
I have begun to look into.
o Possible Consequences:
Possible consequences I face if this problem is not addressed, is that I could end
up in a role within the mental health field and be totally unprepared for the position. This
could entail me having to both quit and end up jobless with a bad reference or be fired for
not meeting standards and ending up jobless with a bad reference as well, both would
affect any future careers and the path my life would take from then on out. I also may
never end up with a job past entry level in this field and always be struggling to live a
content life where I do reach the higher end of Maslows Hierarchy of Needs and living
a life of not meeting potential. I also run the possible consequence of failing to meet the
needs of others and causing a ripple affect among my future spouse and children, keeping
them from excelling and being aware of the need of mental health services. Also, having
an effect on those around me by staying uninformed about certain careers and jobs as
well as their importance and possibly keeping others from finding a career in this field.

III. Vision Statement

After my completing the Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience (VALUE)
and receiving a masters degree, I have been able to start my career in the mental health sector. I
am currently working to serve a variety of children and youth throughout the K-12 school
system, helping them to figure out their future, work through mental health battles within the
school day as well as home life, along with helping them to achieve the most out of their
academics. I serve by lending assistance to over a hundred students a year, making connections
and bonds to help them develop. I am not only working with children with in the schools, I spend
my time working within my church and community. When working with various members of the
community of all ages I strive bring their households into a realm of safety and understanding for
the betterment of not only their lives but the community as a whole. I spend my time
volunteering at various organizations and giving back to the community through service. I find
my inner-most growth comes from serving with a true and peaceful heart.
Throughout my experiences in mental health and community improvement, I have been
able along with a great team to help to ensure retention in our schools, cohesion among the
community, and a great support system through various organizations in the community. We are
currently building a community center to host various organizational meetings, a safe house for
people to stay at in times of need, expanding our food pantry, and extended mental health
outreach and support groups beyond just the mental health center. We have been able to open a
smaller temporary home for those who are struggling with homelessness or getting back on their
feet. This will serve to over a community of 40,000. My work within the community is directly
focused on leaving this place in greater shape than it has ever been. To create change and
potential for sense of cohesion and compassion among everyone. Where no one person feels
shunned away for seeking help or wanting to help.

IV. Plan Formation

Objectives:
1. Gain a knowledgeable understanding and useful information of different career paths within
the mental health sector.
2. Work/intern in a position that is more directed within the mental health field.
3. Look into furthering education based on research, interviewing, self-reflection, and
experiences.
4. Complete a brief paper over experiences and gathered data.

Objective - Action Step/Strategies:

Objective one: Gain a knowledgeable understanding and useful information of different career
paths within the mental health sector.
Action Step one:
What: Meet with mentor
Jordyn Sanders to gather a list
of important people to
interview and/or speak with
about their careers in the
mental health field.
When: Twice a month and
through various emails to
share contact information and
discuss who to add to the list
of people.

How: Schedule both in

person meetings and email
meetings between Jordyn
and I.

Who: Tera Mill (self) and

Jordyn Sanders (mentor).

Resources: Phone, computer,

paper, pen, and planner.

Communication: Jordyn and I

will schedule meeting times
based on availability and
research as well as gather
personal connections to
interview in the mental health
field.

How: Think and research

various qualified questions
for interviews.

Who: Tera Mills (self) and

Jordyn Sanders (mentor)

Resources: Phone, computer,

paper, pen, and internet.

Communication: Through
email Jordyn will help me
solidify my interview
questions for the absolute best
and data filled responses from
those I have chosen to
interview.

Action Step Two:

What: Prepare questions to
interview questions for those
involved in the mental health
field/profession. To be looked
over by mentor (Jordyn) to be
sure they are task specific.
When: Have questions
prepared for Jordyn to look
over by December 1st, 2015,
have finalized sample
questions by December 10th,
2015.

Action Step Three:

What: Contact and schedule
interviews with list of
interviewees compiled. As
well as conduct interviews.

When: Have all interview

conducted/scheduled no later
than April 1st, 2016. Then
follow through with
scheduled date and time of
interview.

How: Call or email those

who have been gathered
from action step one for not
only agreeance but
scheduling of the interview
itself. Then follow through
with interview.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, and internet.

Who: Tera Mills (self) and

interviewee list (TBD) on
separate page.

Communication: Via phone

and email, I will contact/reach
out to those on the
interviewee list. At this point I
will see if they would be
willing to participate and then
set up a time to interview
them based on. Then conduct
interview.

Action Step Four:

What: Collect and record all
data gathered through the
interview process.

When: Ongoing through April

15th, 2015. Before starting the
reflection of information.

How: By gathering all pieces Who: Tera Mills (self)

and either condensing email
interviews into a Word Doc
or typing up audio/hand
written interview into a Word
Doc. Then reviewing each
interview.
Resources: Phone, computer, Communication: Myself.
paper, pen, and audio
collection device.

Action Step Five:

What: Reflection of
information gathered.

When: By May 1st, 2016.

Write out reflection from all

How: After gathering and

recording, I will then go into
a self-reflection over the
things that I was able to take
away and learn.
Resources: Collected data,
paper, pen, and computer.

Who: Tera Mills (self)

Communication: Myself.

interviews as part of a final

reflection.

Objective two: Work/intern in a position that is more directed within the mental health field.
Action Step one:
What: Seek options for
various internship and jobs to
fulfill serviceship requirement
and internship course
requirements.
When: Ongoing until
internship is found. Deadline
for internship January 15th,
2016.

How: Speaking with various

leadership instructors and
mentor. Seeking and looking
for a place to apply/intern at.

Who: Tera Mills (Myself),

Jordyn Sanders (mentor), Dr.
Jill Arnesdorf, Dr. Justin
Greenleaf, and Kaley Kraus.

Resources: Phone, computer,

paper, pen, and planner.

Communication: Verbal/email
communication to ask about
opinions and options for
internship.

How: By speaking with

those involved in the
job/internship finding out
what the requirements and
prospective aspects on the
job/internship is.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, and planner.

Who: Tera Mills (myself),

TBD.

How: After gathering

information on the job,
setting up a time to get
approval from VALUE
leaders and internship
instructor for approval. With
proper forms and signatures.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, and planner.

Who: Tera Mills (Myself), Dr.

Jill Arnesdorf, Dr. Justin
Greenleaf, and Kaley Kraus.

Action Step Two:

What: Set up a meeting with
prospective jobs/internship
leaders to understand
requirements.

When: After finding

prospective internship/jobs.

Communication: Verbal/email
communication to find out
more information on the
job/internship.

Action Step Three:

What: Apply for internship or
job, then seek approval by
VALUE leaders and
internship instructor.

When: Before January 15th.

Communication: Verbal/email
communication to seek and
gain approval for prospective
internship or job.

Action Step Four:

What: Complete internship or
job for VALUE program
requirements as well as
coinciding with the internship
course to be taken spring
semester 2016.

When: Estimated time of

internship is to begin midJanuary until end of spring
semester 2016, in May.

How: By obtaining the

internship, I will then
complete the required 150
hours/assignments for the
internship course as well as
completing and learning
about leadership in the
mental health sector with
selected internship or job.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, planner, and
TBD.

Who: Tera Mills (myself)

How: I will type out a

reflection of things learned,
traits obtained, use of
leadership within the
internship/job, and overall
comments.
Resources: Computer, paper,
and pen.

Who: Tera Mills (myself)

Communication: I will
complete the requirements of
the job/internship and then
complete all assignments
required of the
internship/VALUE Program.

Action Step Five:

What: I will submit a
reflection on how the
internship/job went and the
overall satisfaction of my
participation.
When: Estimation of May 5th,
2016.

Communication: I will
complete the reflection
myself, then submit it as a
part of my overall ending
reflection.

Objective three: Looking into furthering education based on research, interviewing, selfreflection, and experiences.
Action Step one:
What: Research different
career paths in mental health.

When: Throughout semesters

until the end of the spring
2016 semester.

How: By interviewing
various mental health
professionals and doing
career outlooks online to find
out additional titles and
paths.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, planner, and
TBD.

Who: Myself (Tera Mills),

TBD.

How: By visiting and

looking at different
educational departments.

Who: Myself (Tera Mills)

Resources: Phone, computer,

paper, pen, planner, and
TBD.

Communication: I will decide

what degree to or not to seek
based on step one.

How: By checking websites

and gathered information to
pull together information
needed to apply for graduate
school. This may include
contacting people for letters
of recommendation.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, planner, and Fort
Hays State University.

Who: Myself (Tera Mills),

possible TBD people for
letters of recommendation,
and Fort Hays State
University graduate program.

Communication: I will use the

information collected from
various interviews and
different career outlook sites.

Action Step Two:

What: Decide upon applying
for a masters degree of
aiming for the completion of
a second bachelors degree.
When: Throughout semesters
until the end of the spring
2016 semester.
Action Step Three:
What: Gather materials that
are necessary to apply for
graduate school.

When: Throughout semesters

until the end of the spring
2016 semester.

Communication: I will gather

appropriate material and send
if off to the selected program
and people of interest.

Action Step Four:

What: Complete any testing
or requirements for
acceptance, if need be.
When: Throughout semesters
until the end of the spring
2016 semester.

How: Apply for the graduate

test needed at the Kelly
Center, pay for and take test.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, planner, and
TBD.

Who: Myself (Tera Mills) and

Kelly Center.

How: After getting

information and program
decisions complete, reflect
on the decision process as
part as the final overall
reflection paper.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, planner, and
TBD.

Who: Myself (Tera Mills)

Communication: Contact and

set up appointment by phone
with the Kelly center for test,
wait for results to be
administered.

Action Step Five:

What: Reflecting/ultimate
decision for furthering
education at end of spring
2015 semester.

When: Before May 1st, 2016.

Communication: I will
complete the reflection
myself, then submit it as a
part of my overall ending
reflection.

Objective four: Complete a brief paper over experiences and gathered data.
Action Step one:
What: Pre-reflection to
respond back to at the end of
semester.

When: Before January 15th,

2016.

How: I will complete a paper

to set an general idea
overview of what I think this
project/internship will
consist of.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, planner, and
TBD.

Who: Myself (Tera Mills)

How: By completing
previous steps and
internship.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, planner, and
TBD.

Who: Myself (Tera Mills)

How: By pulling together

items together and ideas to
set up a rough outline and
goals of what I want to
include in my final
reflection.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, planner, and
TBD.

Who: Myself (Tera Mills)

How: Complete final

reflection based on previous
steps.
Resources: Phone, computer,
paper, pen, planner, and
TBD.

Who: Myself (Tera Mills)

Communication:

Action Step Two:

What: Complete previous
objectives.
When: Before May 1st, 2016.

Communication: I will
complete all previous items.

Action Step Three:

What: General outline and
guide that I would like to
reference.

When: By April 1st, 2016.

Communication: I will
complete an outline of things
I would like to conclude in
the final reflection.

Action Step Four:

What: Write out and include
reflection as a final step for
the VALUE Program.
When: Before May 1st, 2016.

Communication: I will
complete the reflection
myself, then submit it as a

part of my overall ending

reflection.