Sept. 20, 2018

The CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government has broadened its reach this month by opening up new campuses in Orange and Tulare Counties.

Created a decade ago, the CSAC Institute is a professional, practical continuing education program for senior county staff and elected officials. More than 4,000 staff and elected officials have taken courses with total class enrollment topping 13,000 since its inception.

“Our Institute provides an outstanding opportunity for county officials and staff to engage in relevant, cutting-edge, thought-provoking curriculum and instruction that helps our counties to govern in the ever-changing landscape of local government,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus.

The Institute rotates campuses within geographical regions to ensure staff from different counties can easily attend courses. Prior to starting in Orange County, the Institute held series of courses in San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. In the Central Valley, courses were held in Merced County before the Institute moved the campus south to Tulare County.

“Thanks to the hospitality and work of our host counties, we are able to bring the Institute to the county officials and staff. Our county campuses provide a convenient opportunity for more people to take advantage of the unique professional development opportunities from the Institute … and build their professional networks at the same time,” Institute Dean Bill Chiat said. “We are excited and thankful to Orange and Tulare counties for hosting our new campuses, to Shasta, Tehama, and Contra Costa counties for hosting current campuses, and to Merced, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties for hosting past campuses.”

Classes at the Orange County campus kicked off last Friday with the course “Storytelling and Other Practices in the Art of Persuasion.” This Friday will be the inaugural class in Tulare County titled “Leadership and Change: Practices to Move People.” Both courses are taught by Institute Dean Chiat.  The CSAC Institute will hold one course a month in each county through the end of the month and into 2019.

“Tulare County is very excited to host CSAC institute courses. Having recently received my Supervisor credential, I know how practical institute courses are and how quickly they can be applied in the workplace,” said Tulare County Supervisor Amy Shuklian.” We look forward to our county colleagues having a central location to attend these invaluable courses.”

Beyond Orange and Tulare Counties, the CSAC Institute currently operates satellite campuses also in Contra Costa and /Tehama Counties, as well as at its main campus in downtown Sacramento adjacent to CSAC’s headquarters.  A satellite campus is also expected to open in Santa Cruz County in January.

The Institute will once again be offering its ever-popular New Supervisors Institute, a multi-day course designed for newly elected county supervisors. The series kicks off in November immediately prior to the CSAC Annual Meeting in November and will continue into the summer.

To review upcoming courses for the Institute, click here.