AN INNOVATIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE LENS
ROAD TO THE CORE PARADIGM
Hi, I’m Danette.


Before creating the CORE Model, I had an extensive career in community mental health. As a social worker and psychotherapist, I poured my heart and soul into my work—diligently attempting to help individuals and groups with all kinds of challenges. I worked with both children and adults trapped in various destructive patterns. Addictions, depression and suicidal thoughts, domestic violence and aggression—I saw a lot.
Danette Baird
Over the years, I became disheartened as in spite of my efforts, many individuals and groups still struggled to break out of unhealthy and often generational patterns and systems. There’s one moment I’ll never forget. I was on my way to work one day, and I saw a familiar set of eyes in the back of a police car. As those blank eyes stared back at me, I recognized someone I had worked with extensively when he was a child—trying to help him break free of problematic thinking and emotions. Yet here he was, in trouble.
​
It struck me in that instant that I had failed him—and so had the system. We had been
applying only temporary bandages to challenges that needed to be addressed at a deeper level and with an innovative approach. The CORE Model emerged out of these insights as well as from a very difficult time that I experienced myself. I came through those experiences with the ability to connect the dots differently—and with a focus on critical processes and systems required for real transformation, integrity-based leadership and holistic wellness.
​
The first CORE initiative was a seven-week high school program piloted in Southwestern Michigan. The program proved to be transformative for many of the students and for the school culture. I then resigned from my salaried therapist position in order to devote my time and energy to CORE Initiatives. Since then, I’ve been busy connecting the dots in a wide array of social contexts. I’ve applied the model in the arenas of youth work, schools, mental health and policing. The past three years I’ve been laser-focused on developing the CORE Policing Model and its corresponding training. The transformative impact this training is having on police officers and agencies makes me more committed than ever to continuing to build on the solid foundation that has been established.I truly believe that with the right model, systems and strategies, we can break out of destructive patterns and live fulfilling, meaningful and productive lives—in community.
I look forward to working with you.
With “strategic hope,”
Founder and CEO,
CORE Leadership Alliance
Danette Baird holds an M.A. in counseling psychology. A psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has spent her career in a variety of settings that involve mental health, behavior health, addictions and related areas. She is the founder of CORE Leadership Alliance, LLC, which provides consultation and training programs based on the CORE Model—including CORE Strength training in the public safety sector.