Workshops
CSAC Innovation Summit
Navigating the Clouds of Social Media and Retirement
Tuesday Morning
Part 1 — Communicating for Today
Confused about social media, which platforms are right for your county, how to find time to manage it, and what to post? In this high-energy, fast-moving workshop, former Sacramento County communicator-turned-social-media-specialist Kerry Shearer, along with a seasoned panel of experts, will help you understand what to focus on, how to implement it, and ways to quickly create compelling content using the latest photo, audio and video techniques! You will hear insights on which social media sites to focus on and upcoming platforms to watch, while giving you concrete tips, tools, apps, and hands-on interaction in an engaging way that will help your social media confidence!
Part 2 — Planning for Tomorrow
Up to 65% of Americans are at risk of not having enough money to retire. With inflation and medical costs it is estimated that you may need up to 126% of your salary to retire. Helping your employees plan for retirement in a financially sound manner has become a challenge for employers in every sector. This session will focus on innovative retirement planning strategies to help you and your employees be prepared for a fiscally responsible future.
Exploring a Road User Charge: Diving into Key Issues
Tuesday Afternoon
The California Transportation Commission’s Road Charge Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is charged with studying road usage charge alternatives to the gas tax and has been meeting monthly since January in order to make recommendations to the California Transportation Agency (CalSTA) regarding the design of a road usage charge pilot program. Among other issues, the TAC is investigating privacy, technological hurdles, practicality, public education, rural and urban perceptions, just to name a few. This workshop will pick up where CSAC left off in November 2014 and dive deeper into a few key issues around the future pilot program.
Digging Deep into the Three Principles of Messaging
Tuesday Afternoon
Conducted by General Session Speaker Drew Westen, this workshop will dig deeper into the three principles of messaging, using video clips to illustrate some of the nuances involved in getting your message across. We will use websites and materials participants bring with them to examine from a messaging standpoint how to sharpen your message in ways that will make voters see county issues as important to their lives.
Human Trafficking: The Harsh Reality
Wednesday Morning
Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery and continues to emerge as a global, national and statewide issue. California is particularly impacted as three of the top ten highest trafficking areas in the nation are located in this state. CSAC along with California’s counties are committed to developing and supporting strategies to prevent, reduce and serve survivors of human trafficking. As such, this panel will highlight innovative county solutions and offer the perspective of a human trafficking survivor.
Marijuana Policy Discussion: Legalization on the Horizon?
Wednesday Afternoon
Advocates and other stakeholders around California are drafting proposals to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana. At least one will make it to the November 2016 ballot, and if the pollsters are correct, passage is also likely. At this workshop county officials can glean insight from the experiences of their counterparts in Colorado and Washington where marijuana was legalized in 2012. County representatives from the two states will discuss what they are learning from implementation efforts so far and what they would do differently in hind-sight. We’ll also hear from a member of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy who will talk about their Pathways Report: Policy Options for Regulating Marijuana in California.
“Incompetent to Stand Trial” In and Out of Jail: A Complex Issue
Wednesday Afternoon
As the number of people with mental illness continue to grow in our criminal justice system, counties are struggling with solutions in and outside of the system. California’s courts, law enforcement and behavioral health providers are working together on strategies that address needs of individuals with mental illness, while preserving public safety. This workshop will look at the complex issues surrounding individuals who are mentally ill and incompetent to stand trial (IST), and limitations around solutions to these complex cases outside of a jail setting.
Ready, Set, Broadband!
Wednesday Afternoon
Counties know the importance of broadband or high-speed Internet in attracting new businesses, creating jobs, improving health care and education, and connecting residents to new opportunities. High-speed interconnectivity is essential to economic development and county government functions. For many regions of our state, however, broadband infrastructure development and supporting policies have been in the slow lane. This workshop will provide tools to help unserved and underserved communities bridge the “digital divide,” explain the role of regional consortia, and share financial resources to put broadband deployment in full gear.
An Economic Perspective on California’s Climate Policies
Wednesday Afternoon
California recently launched its cap-and-trade program, which uses a market-based mechanism to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in California. This economic component of AB 32 is meant to reduce a significant proportion of GHG emissions while generating revenue to invest back into state and local climate programs. This workshop will focus on the economics of climate change and the implications of a market-based system on local economies, including the opportunities for local governments to benefit from cap and trade.
The Coverage Gap: The True Costs of Undocumented Health Care
Thursday Morning
With recent changes in state and federal immigration policy and California’s recent decision to fund Medi-Cal coverage for low-income, undocumented children, the discussion of immigrant health care has gained momentum. California’s 58 counties are on the front lines of this debate as providers of essential public health and health care services. This panel will examine the true costs of the undocumented health care gap by examining political, legislative, philanthropic, and local efforts as well as county successes and potential challenges.