Long Term Care Leadership Academy Program

About the Program

This program is currently closed for applications but will reopen next year. For any submissions received past November 17, OHCA will evaluate whether an accommodation is appropriate on a case-by-case basis through November 21, 2025. 

OHCA is pleased to announce the launch of the OHCA Long Term Care Leadership Academy Program. Taking place over the course of one calendar year, emerging leaders participating in the OHCA Long Term Care Leadership Academy Program will begin with a structured two-day intensive training focusing on leadership skill-building and other important skills through engaging with their peers and sharpening their skills in a collaborative environment.

Throughout the year, program participants will engage in follow-up group activities, with the goal of fostering peer relationships, enhancing leadership skills, and becoming more engaged with the Oregon long term care industry through deepening their understanding of stakeholder impacts, including in regulatory, public policy, and advocacy areas.

The program’s training components will cover key operational theories and practical applications in long term care.

These concepts include workforce cultivation and employee support, financial management, quality assurance, risk management, advocacy, and more. By participating in this program, individuals will be better prepared to serve in vital roles within the long term care profession.

Who Can Participate

To be considered for the program, candidates must:

1. Be employed in an Oregon assisted living, residential care, memory care, nursing facility, and/or skilled nursing facility.
2. Agree to complete the full program and attend program activities and meetings including:
   1. The OHCA Spring Expo in Salem on April 22-23, 2026
   2. The OHCA Annual Convention in Portland on September 22-23, 2026
3. Provide their resume or biography
4. Provide a letter of recommendation from an administrator/corporate office contact
5. Describe interest in this program and commitment to the long term care sector

This program is intended for newer or emerging leaders in licensed long term care communities including administrators, department leads (clinical/nursing, activities, operations, etc.), and other supervisory team members with proven leadership skills.

Participants and Application Process

The application for this program will be open from November 10-November 17. Applicants must email a copy of their resume, as well as one letter of recommendation from their administrator/corporate office leadership team member to mwalter@ohca.com. Applications submitted without a resume and supplemental letter of recommendation will not be considered for the program.

This program is limited to a maximum of 20 participants. Participants will be selected based on a combination of factors, including their resume, their personal statement in the application, and the letter of recommendation. The participating individual must commit to participate in all trainings and events required for this program. OHCA may need to limit participation to one or two individuals per operating company to ensure qualified and interested individuals from a variety of operating companies can participate.

If selected for the program, participants will be notified by OHCA by December 8 or sooner.

Cost

Thanks to grant funds from the Oregon Department of Human Services, this program is FREE for all participants. All training registration fees, including Spring Expo and Annual Convention registration fees, as well as food and beverage at all trainings and events are provided at no cost to participants.

Participants are responsible for any needed hotel fees or travel costs they may incur. Some financial assistance is available. Please indicate on your application if financial assistance is needed.

Contact

Please contact OHCA’s Maggie Walter, mwalter@ohca.com with any questions.

Program Format

Two-Day Intensive Training (January 29-30, 2026, Portland area)

This two-day, in-person leadership training will consist of various education sessions covering relevant long term care leadership and operational topics. Participants will hear from tenured industry professionals on operational best practices, people management strategies, and strategic planning goals. The current draft syllabus is below. Topics and timing are subject to change.

Day 1: Advanced Leadership Skill Building

• Welcome and Introductions
• Advanced Leadership Skill Building
  • Recognize key leadership behaviors
  • Delegation, communication, prioritization
  • Develop personalized leadership plan
• Strategic Planning for Long Term Care Leaders
  • What is strategic planning in long term care
  • Formulating SMART Goals
  • Aligning strategies with organizational vision
  • Establishing and monitoring success metrics
• LUNCH
• Strategic Planning for Long Term Care Leaders (continued)
  • Building a Positive Workplace Culture and Managing Staff
  • Building trust and supportive environments
  • Conducing effective employee evaluations
  • Identifying opportunities for employee improvement, goal/action/improvement plans
• Employee Engagement
  • Coaching, teaching, training
  • Communication
• GROUP DINNER – (optional)

Day 2: Operational Management and Financial Planning

• Welcome
• Strategic Planning – Follow up
• Overall Financial Management
  • Reading and understanding balance sheets
  • Revenue sources
  • Expenses management
  • Difference between CBC/NF
• Staff Scheduling and Labor Costs
  • Creative staffing models/patterns
  • Breakout sessions between NF/CBC
• LUNCH
  • Professional Advocacy
    • Developing Relationships with State Agencies and Stakeholders
    • Grassroots Advocacy and LTC Lobbying Best Practices
  • Building Successful Quality Assurance Programs
    • Quality Improvement Process/Cycle
    • Analyzing Data
    • Root Cause Analysis
    • Documentation and Quality Assurance
  • Closing Remarks/Next Steps

Additional Program Activities

These special events are leadership and networking-specific events for program participants. Locations and times vary based on event.

• Lobby/Advocacy Day at the Oregon State Capitol (February 12, 2026, Salem, OR)
• 2-Day Intensive Training Follow-Up Webinar (March 13, 2026, Webinar)
• OHCA Spring Expo (April 22-23, 2026, Salem, OR)
  • April 23 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm – Leadership Academy Participant Training
    • Policy/Procedure Management
    • Risk Management
    • Resident and Family Satisfaction
    • Roundtable Discussion
  • Special OHCA C-suite Summit (April or May 2026, Portland, OR)
  • Addition Skills-Based Events
    • CBC: DHS Quarterly Meeting with 1-hour skills-based topic (June 5, 2026, Salem, OR)
    • NF: DHS Quarterly Meeting with 1-hour skills-based topic (July 10, 2026, Salem, OR)
    • Strategic Planning Session follow up with Instructor from January Day 1 Training (July 17, 2026, Webinar)
  • OHCA Annual Convention and Trade Show (September 22-23, 2026, Portland, OR)
    • September 23 – Time TBD
      • Awards Ceremony – Certificate of Completion Distributed to Program Participants
      • Leadership Academy Participant Training
    • Quality Award Work Session and Program Conclusion Reception (October, 22, 2026, Portland, OR)