SDSU Academy for Professional Excellence

What SDSU Academy for Professional Excellence does

SDSU Academy for Professional Excellence is a nonprofit workforce development and training organization established in 1996 as a project of the San Diego State University School of Social Work, operating through the SDSU Research Foundation as fiscal agent. It delivers training, coaching, organizational development, and evaluation services to county health and human service agencies, primarily across eight Southern California counties (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura), and provides approximately 50,000 learning experiences annually to over 7,000 child welfare staff and a broader base of human services and justice-system professionals.

The portfolio is organized into program lines: CWDS (Child Welfare Development Services), APSWI (Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations), CCA (Cultural Competency Academy), LIA (Leaders In Action), SACHS (Southern Area Consortium of Human Services), Tribal STAR (Native American child welfare and ICWA compliance), and APEX Training (publicly available courses such as Motivational Interviewing and TF-CBT). Service modalities include in-person training, eLearning, coaching, microlearnings, VR/simulation, organizational development, and evaluation using the RE-AIM framework. There is no proprietary technology platform; delivery relies on standard eLearning, training content, and partner-led engagement.

The business model is grant- and contract-funded: an annual operating budget of approximately $13 million is sourced from state, federal, and local government grants and contracts, plus private foundations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and services are effectively funded by government and foundation payers rather than charged to end users. The go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, anchored in long-standing county partnerships and a broader ecosystem of tribal, legal, judicial, and child welfare partner organizations.

Name

SDSU Academy for Professional Excellence

Legal name

Academy for Professional Excellence

Website

https://theacademy.sdsu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SDSU Academy for Professional Excellence is a nonprofit workforce development organization within SDSU's School of Social Work that trains county health and human service professionals across eight Southern California counties, delivering approximately 50,000 learning experiences annually through government grant and contract funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: The Academy manages an annual operating budget of approximately $13 million, comprised of grants and contracts from state, federal, and local governments. The fiscal agent is San Diego State University Research Foundation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Academy for Professional Excellence delivers workforce development, training, organizational support, technical assistance, and capacity-building services to health and human service professionals and county agencies in Southern California. It operates a portfolio of branded programs — APSWI, CWDS, CCA, LIA, SACHS, Tribal STAR, and APEX Training — providing in-person training, eLearning, coaching, leadership development, cultural competency training, and evaluation services to child welfare, adult protective services, and tribal child welfare systems.

Product overview

The Academy for Professional Excellence is a workforce development and training organization under San Diego State University's School of Social Work, established in 1996. Rather than a unified software product, it offers a portfolio of training programs and professional development services. The core programs include: CWDS (Child Welfare Development Services) providing workforce development for child welfare staff; APSWI (Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations) serving vulnerable older adults; CCA (Cultural Competency Academy) for cultural responsiveness training; LIA (Leaders In Action) for leadership development; SACHS (Southern Area Consortium of Human Services) for regional collaboration; and Tribal STAR focusing on ICWA compliance for Native American families. Service offerings include in-person training, online eLearning, coaching, organizational development, strategic planning, and evaluation services using the RE-AIM framework. The organization serves Southern California county health and human service agencies, providing approximately 50,000 learning experiences annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• APSWI: Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations - ensures that abused and vulnerable older adults and adults with disabilities receive high quality effective interventions and services.
• CWDS
• LIA
• SACHS
• Tribal STAR
• Cultural Competency Academy (CCA)
• APEX Training

Products and services

• APSWI (Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations) Workforce development program that ensures abused and vulnerable older adults and adults with disabilities receive high quality, effective interventions and services, serving Adult Protective Services staff and leaders.
• CWDS (Child Welfare Development Services) Workforce development, organizational support, technical assistance, and capacity-building program for child welfare staff and leaders, serving over 7,000 professionals across Southern California counties.
• Cultural Competency Academy (CCA) Foundational training series covering cultural humility, self-assessments, bias, culture in the workplace and behavioral health, and intersectionalities, for health and human service professionals.
• LIA (Leaders In Action) Leadership development program for professionals in human services, designed to build supervisory and management capacity.
• SACHS (Southern Area Consortium of Human Services) Consortium of human services organizations in the Southern California region, supporting cross-county collaboration and information sharing.
• Tribal STAR (Successful Transitions for Adult Readiness) Training and technical assistance program focused on building collaborations that improve outcomes for Native American children in the juvenile dependency system and promoting compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).
• APEX Training Public training offerings for individual professionals and the general public, including Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other professional development courses, with continuing education credit available.
• Online Training / eLearning Online training courses in child welfare, behavioral health, leadership, cultural competency, and geriatrics, available via the Academy's eLearning platform with options for customization.
• Coaching Services Coaching support for practice-initiative-based employee training needs within counties partnering with the Academy, including APS supervisor coaching.
• Organizational Development and Evaluation Services Strategic planning, capacity building, needs assessments, facilitation, and training evaluation using multi-level methodology based in Glasgow's RE-AIM framework for health and human service organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 50,000 learning experiences provided to professionals annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Association on American Indian AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAIA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting sovereignty, preserving culture, and ensuring the well-being of Native American Tribes and communities. Founded in 1922, AAIA focuses on critical issues such as cultural preservation, youth advocacy, and Tribal governance.
• California Indian Legal ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe first Indian-controlled law firm organized to provide specialized legal representation to Indians and Indian tribes. CILS provides free or low-cost representation on matters within priorities set by the Board of Trustees.
• California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe nation's largest state coalition of social work educators and practitioners. Hosted by UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare, CalSWEC was created in 1990 by a partnership of social work educators and practitioners dedicated to developing a professional social service workforce.
• California Tribal Families CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA statewide organization committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of Native American children, families, and Tribes. CTFC works to protect Tribal sovereignty, ensure compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and promote culturally informed child welfare practices.
• Casey Family ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe nation's largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families. Founded in 1966, works in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
• County of San Diego HHSA, Indian Specialty and Independent Living UnitscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Indian Specialty Unit provides culturally responsive social services to Native American families who come to the attention of Children's Services due to allegations of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Indian Health Council, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA consortium of nine tribes dedicated to the continual betterment of Indian health, wholeness, and well-being. With a main facility located adjacent to the Rincon reservation in Pauma Valley and the Santa Ysabel Community Health Center located on the Santa Ysabel Reservation.
• Intertribal Court of Southern CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn 'independent judiciary' within Indian Country. Its purpose is to preserve the integrity, autonomy and sovereignty of the Native American communities it serves in a culturally sensitive and traditionally aware environment.
• Judicial Council of CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe policymaking body of California's court system, the largest in the nation. Led by the Chief Justice, it ensures consistent, impartial, and accessible justice administration.
• National Child Welfare Capacity Building Center for TribescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the new resource centers within the Children's Bureau Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) National Network designed to improve child welfare systems and support States and Tribes in achieving sustainable, systemic change.
• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court JudgescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1937, NCJFCJ supports professionals in juvenile and family courts through education, research, and technical assistance. Headquartered in Reno, NV, it serves over 30,000 members.
• National Indian Justice CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit dedicated to improving justice for Native communities. Based in Santa Rosa, CA, NIJC provides legal education, research, and technical assistance programs across Indian Country.
• San Diego State University, American Indian Studies DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Indian Studies program at SDSU focuses on Native American peoples' heritage and culture. Through literature, art, history, and politics, students explore both individual and tribal experiences.
• Tribal Law and Policy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 100% Native American-operated nonprofit focused on improving justice in Indian Country. TLPI provides education, training, and technical assistance to tribal nations, helping them strengthen sovereignty and enhance justice.
• UC Davis Resource Center for Family Focused PracticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Human Services division of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. Serves the multidisciplinary human services needs of organizations with an emphasis on family-centered practice.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Child Welfare Capacity Building Center for Tribes: A federal resource center within the Children's Bureau T/TA Network designed to improve tribal child welfare systems. Directly comparable to the Academy's Tribal STAR program and an existing Academy partner.
• Child Welfare League of America (CWLA): A national membership organization focused on child welfare practice, policy, and workforce. CWLA's training and capacity-building activities closely parallel the Academy's CWDS program in child welfare staff development.
• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ): Founded in 1937 and serving 30,000+ members, NCJFCJ provides education, research, and technical assistance to juvenile and family court professionals. Comparable as a long-standing training/TA provider for human services and justice system professionals and an existing Academy partner.
• Casey Family Programs: The nation's largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care. Casey Family Programs works across all 50 states on child welfare workforce and system improvement, sharing the Academy's child welfare workforce development focus and existing partnership status.
• Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI): A 100% Native American-operated nonprofit providing education, training, and technical assistance to tribal nations on justice and child welfare issues. Directly comparable to Tribal STAR's tribal-focused training mission and is an existing Academy partner.
• National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA): NAPSA provides national certification and training standards for adult protective services professionals — the Academy's APSWI program explicitly delivers NAPSA Certificate Program training, making NAPSA a tightly coupled peer.
• California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC): Hosted by UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare, CalSWEC is the nation's largest state coalition developing the public social service workforce. Directly comparable to the Academy in mission (California-focused social work workforce development) and in serving as a university-based capacity builder.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Social Workers (NASW): The largest professional association of social workers in the United States, providing continuing education, credentialing, and advocacy. NASW's CE and training infrastructure overlaps with the Academy's professional development offerings at a broader, national scale.
• UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education — Human Services: Hosts the UC Davis Resource Center for Family Focused Practice within its Human Services division, providing multidisciplinary human services training. An existing Academy partner and a UC-system peer delivering similar workforce training from a university platform.
• American Public Human Services Association (APHSA): A broad membership organization representing state, county, and local human service agencies nationwide. APHSA's training, policy, and convening functions overlap with the Academy's role as a regional capacity builder, but at a national rather than regional scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SDSUAcademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sdsuacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SDSU Academy for Professional Excellence