There is no drought of classes at the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government next month … we have seven classes available next month – from leadership to public safety realignment, customer service and more. Check out our new class on building collaborative relationships with your county federal grant contractors and bring the CBO execs to the class with you (I”ns and Outs of Monitoring County Grant Recipients”)!

Check out the classes and register today. Download the Course Schedule for information on all the classes offered by CSAC Institute. The Institute is designed to expand the capacity and capability of county elected officials, senior executives and managers to provide extraordinary services to their communities. Classes are open to all county staff and elected officials. They are an affordable $129 each and include class materials and lunch. Discounts for multiple registrations.

FEBRUARY CLASSES

IT Performance Metrics and Customer Value Management

Thursday, February 2, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 - Sacramento

County governments create value for citizens through the services they deliver. Doing so effectively and efficiently not only requires a keen understanding of how government service quality is impacted by the internal systems and processes which enable them, but also requires establishing metrics around these systems and processes in order to measure performance – after all if it isn’t measured, it isn’t managed. This facilitative course is designed to help county IT professionals understand the metrics that matter. By taking a customer-centric approach, participants will understand how to establish metrics across IT services, applications, and infrastructure, optimize performance over time, and communicate the benefits realized to the rest of the organization through a series of interactive discussions, group activities, and individual exercises.  

Art and Practice of Organizational Leadership

Friday, February 3, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 - Sacramento

This interactive course designed for both experienced and new senior county managers explores the practical applications of leadership in creating a high performing county organization - especially in the difficult environments counties operate. Participants engage in discussions of key practices in formal and informal leadership, particularly in achieving sustainable change; employee engagement and team-building strategies; leadership when you’re not in charge; and techniques for developing a vital workplace culture which supports organizational members. Instructor is Dr. Frank Benest, former city manager of Palo Alto and a noted expert in organizational leadership and management. 

Customer Service in the Public Sector: Balancing Satisfaction with Priorities

Friday, February 10 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Riverside County 

This policy level course will help county managers and elected officials explore ways to create and enhance a customer service culture in their organization. Participants will explore how to balance good customer service with county and state regulations and requirements. The conversation will focus on what defines good customer service and a service culture. Lively small and large group discussions will give you tools to assess where you are, what the gaps are to be more service oriented, and how to get there. Participants discuss the elements of structure and process which support and recognize effective customer service, even in difficult regulatory situations. You will be able to network and brainstorm with your peers as well as learn practical strategies. Barriers to good customer service are examined along with service and performance measurements. Instructor is Angela Antenore, M.Ed., an experienced agency manager, agency board member and university instructor.

Realignment 301: Public Safety Funds and Realignment Funding

Thursday, February 16, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 - Sacramento

This course covers in-depth the law enforcement accounts from the 2011 realignment. It includes a review of: statutory changes; actual revenue results; the “base” calculations for each account; how base and growth amounts are distributed to each state level account; how amounts are distributed to counties; and the formulas and the data behind the formulas. Important lessons about the dynamics of realignment from Health and Social Services Realignment 1991 and 2011 are shared. Tools are introduced to project and track county revenues and examine what county staff should consider when budgeting for these accounts in the coming years. The course includes discussions on the risks and opportunities of realignment for law enforcement and the strategic investments counties have undertaken. Participants examine what’s next, including possible legislative changes to realignment. Instructors are Dorothy Thrush, Public Safety Group Finance Director, San Diego County; Elizabeth Howard Espinosa, Partner, HBE Advocacy; Darby Kernan, CSAC Legislative Representative for Administration of Justice; and Geoffrey Neill, CSAC Principal Policy and Fiscal Analyst.  

Intergenerational Leadership

Thursday, February 16, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Contra Costa County (Class is Full)

For the first time in history we find ourselves working with people from five distinct generations. In today’s workplace we have to understand, communicate and interact with people from different eras, different values and habits, and fundamentally different ideas about life! This class focuses on understanding and practicing how to integrate deeper generational insights into practice. Participants do self-assessments of their eras and their own values. They profile their work environments to discern the complexity of the generational mix. Most importantly they learn a unique set of skills and processes to employ when encountering people whose values, habits and business practices may be at odds with their own. This workshop provides participants skills to blend generations to get the best from everyone. Instructor is Larry Liberty, Ph.D. He works with Fortune 500 companies and teaches in MBA programs across the globe, and is author of The Maturity Factor – Solving the Mystery of Great Leadership. 

State Budget 101: What Counties Need to Know

Friday, February 17, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Merced County 

Did you ever wonder how the Governor made that budget decision or why it changed it in May? Or do you want to find out how the Legislature changes the Governor’s proposal or how counties can influence either the Governor or the Legislature? This is the class where you can learn the budget basics and answers to those questions and so much more. Learn about who influences – and how they do it – the state budget process, policy and politics. It’s an inside look at a complex process which influences virtually every aspect of county operations. Learn about how to find and interpret budget information and a few tips about influencing the budget decisions. Instructors are Diane Cummins, Special Assistant to the Governor for state and local finances and has worked in both the executive and legislative branches on the budget; and Jean Hurst, Principal with HBE Advocacy and long-time legislative advocate on local government finance. 

The Ins and Outs of Monitoring County Federal Grant Recipients

Thursday, February 23, 2017 – 9:30 to 3:30 - Sacramento

NEW CLASS - Invite your CBO partners to attend with you!  This course provides tools to assist counties which provide funding as a pass-through entity to various subrecipient nonprofit organizations. Participants will discuss the concepts of indirect costs vs. supporting services and program costs vs. direct costs as well as criteria to consider when reviewing financial statements in conjunction with program reports. Participants will also discuss the uses of performance measures and the effect of the Uniform Guidance on subrecipient monitoring. Participants should bring questions about nonprofit financial statements they have encountered as part of their review and analysis of nonprofit financial statements. Eligible for CPE credits for CPAs and MCLE credits for members of the bar. Instructor is Laura Lindal, CPA, an experienced auditor and an instructor for the California CPA Education Foundation.