What is the Professional Development Fund Program?
MMA will award professional development funding to members. The purpose of these funds is to provide resources and support for members who wish to further develop and improve their supervisory skill set. They are also designed to help members stay current with best practices in their field and expand their knowledge to continue serving as excellent service providers in supervision and areas of expertise.
Who is Eligible:
Current MMA full members are eligible to apply.
Funding Amounts:
The professional development fund has an annual total disbursement of up to $30,000.
Funds per member, per year, may be in any amount not to exceed $1500.00.
What is Covered:
Funds must be used towards professional development activities of the supervisor applying. Activities and certifications must be directly related to the supervisor's current position. Members must provide evidence demonstrating how the activity or certification directly enhances their professional development within their current position. The funds are not intended to assist supervisors looking to advance in positions outside of MMA.
Lodging, meals, mileage, shuttles/taxi, airfare, baggage fees and registration fees.
Certifications that are directly related or relevant to the applicant's current position.
What is Not Covered:
Tuition reimbursement and college courses are not eligible for reimbursement. Members may apply for the MMA Scholarship for this purpose.
Requests for activities or certifications unrelated to the supervisor's current position.
Application Guidelines:
The MMA appointed Professional Development Committee will oversee the review process of applications.
Eligible members must submit an application by the appropriate.
The Professional Development Committee will oversee the review process of applications. They will attempt to award the grants within 3 weeks of stated deadlines. Plan your applications accordingly.
Professional development activity requests must be related to the applicant’s current position.
Applicants must provide a written rationale stating how the activity will help them grow professionally.
Committee members who wish to apply for funds will not be allowed to review applications for that round.
Members may request funds to support one professional development activity per year.
It is the responsibility of the member to request paid educational leave from MMB if applicable.
Costs associated with the activity will follow per diems as stated in the MMA contract.
Funds will be paid directly to the supervisor for reimbursement once the training or event is completed and all forms (such as a business expense sheet with actual expenses and receipts) have been submitted.
The approved professional development activity must be scheduled, occur and reimbursement forms submitted before the next grant cycle round is awarded.
Priority will be given to those who have not been awarded Professional Development Funds in the past.
The grant has an open enrollment, but members need to be aware that the applications are only reviewed 4 times a year. Due dates for applications are December 1st, March 1st, June 1st and September 1st. It takes at least 15 days to review applications, so plan accordingly.
The Professional Development Committee will review all applications and winners will be selected based on scores from the applications. All decisions are final. Winners will need to submit a detailed expense form from which a check will be cut to the MMA Supervisor. This means the money will only come after the actual event, so Supervisors will need to have funds available to cover costs until reimbursements can be sought.
