Improving Children and Family Services in Iowa

This three part case chronicles a philosophical and practical shift in services to children and families at the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), and the resulting collaborative process for change across distinct human service jurisdictions.

Across Immigrant Communities: Serving Diverse Needs and Advocating for Policy Change: One Goal One Voice

This story focuses on a coalition formed in the wake of the 1996 federal immigration policy reforms. This includes a shared approach to some service delivery as well as policy strategies and intentional development of new immigrant leaders.

Changing Mandatory Drug Sentencing Laws on the Federal and State Levels: Putting a Human Face on Injustice Reversing a Political Juggernaut

This leadership story demonstrates how angry and grief stricken families of people incarcerated under mandatory drug sentencing laws are mobilized to put a face on injustice and build diverse alliances to combat mandatory minimums.

Thank You for Being Ready

A case about the importance of the judiciary in American politics and how a few dedicated feminist activists in Minnesota mobilized large numbers of men and women to open the judiciary to women.

The Bankruptcy of the San Antonio Symphony

The events that led to the bankruptcy of the San Antonio Symphony illustrate conflicting goals that nonprofits face, addressing both financial viability of their organizations and artistic and cultural views of how nonprofits should operate.

Washington State Debates the Future of Residential Habilitation Centers for People with Developmental Disabilities

This case looks at the future of Residential Habilitation Centers in WA State and explores problem-solving approaches to a highly emotional issue, involving multiple constituents, federal and state laws, and state and federal service systems.

Contracting for Housing and Community Development in the City of New Prospect

This case prompts students to think critically about the costs and benefits presented by each decision option, and choose accordingly, ultimately realizing there may be no “best” option. It teaches students that public values of responsiveness and effectiveness have to be weighed against the value of efficiency gains.

COBRA Subsidy Denial Appeals System Implementation: Key Decision Points and Leadership Challenges

This case study will examine the leadership challenges and key decision points in designing a system that did, in fact, facilitate the adjudication over 99 percent of the appeals received within the statutory timeframe of 15 days. It will also discuss how decision-making choices led to the development of new technologies and intra-agency collaboration that

The Billion Dollar Week

This case is offered as part of the Recovery Act Case Program and serves as a best example of the efforts of the large network of federal, state, local, non-profit, and private sector partners who contributed in the implementation of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Implementing a High Risk, High Priority, and High Visibility Program in a Decentralized Organization: A Case Study of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This case is offered as part of the Recovery Act Case Program and serves as a best example of the efforts of the large network of federal, state, local, non-profit, and private sector partners who contributed in the implementation of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.