We have a terrific slate of courses lined up for you in October which highlight budgeting, finances, IT and strategy. We’ve combined two classes into an intensive two-day Realignment 101 Workshop that will be invaluable to all. For Supervisors-elect, plan now to attend the acclaimed New Supervisors Institute in November. These classes will fill quickly! Read on for details.

Download the Course Schedule for more details on all the classes offered by CSAC Institute and Register Now. Classes open to all county staff and elected officials. Classes are an affordable $129 each and include class materials and lunch. Discounts for multiple registrations.

Leverage complex enterprise architecture practices to enable informed, optimized decision-making

IT Enterprise Governance 

Thursday, October 6, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento 

The various parts of county government are united by a simple, powerful goal: improving community welfare. However, aligning to a unified vision becomes an increasingly complicated management exercise as organizations grow and decision-making power decentralizes. The most unified organizations leverage complex enterprise architecture practices to act as systems which provide unprecedented levels of organizational resource awareness, and enable informed, optimized decision-making. Getting to this point is a daunting undertaking and requires involvement of a wide variety of organizational stakeholders – and more often than not IT leaders do not know where to begin. With this course, county IT leaders will be guided through the variety of options for achieving enterprise architecture with the goal of identifying an approach that makes sense for their organization. Participants will also learn about universally accepted enterprise architecture principles, and how to institute a program that overcomes organizational resistance, and bridges the gap between organizational needs and IT capabilities. 

Leadership can’t be done without followers

Engaging Employees for Success

Friday, October 7, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Riverside County
Friday, October 21, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento 

In times of disruptive change and scarce resources, it is critical that employees from all levels of the organization are fully productive and engaged in adapting to change and addressing new challenges. This interactive workshop discusses the business case for employee engagement, the conditions fostering active engagement, and simple steps for supervisors, managers and co-workers to promote engagement. Instructors are Dr. Frank Benest, former city manager of Palo Alto and a noted expert in organizational leadership and management, and Donna Vaillancourt, San Mateo County Human Resources Director. 

New ways to think and work through enduring problems

County Budgting and Financial Planning

Friday, October 14, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento 

Counties have complex systems for budgeting and financial management. Budgets are the annual planning documents for county operations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the ins and outs of county budgeting and the budget process. Discussion includes a review of the County Budget Act, a year in the county budget cycle, key elements of a budget, and integration of strategic plans into the annual budget. Participants will also examine county revenue sources, sales and property tax allocation, General Fund and special funds, creating and integrating department-recommended budget components, and public involvement in the budget process. The class will also explore key elements in longer-term county financial planning and management. Class is a must for everyone involved in the budget process. Instructors are Patrick Blacklock, County Administrator of Yolo County, and Robert Bendorf, County Administrator of Yuba County. 

New ways to think and work through enduring problems

Thinking Strategically in Trying Times

Thursday, October 20, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Contra Costa County

This intense seminar discusses the challenges of strategic agility with the critical, enduring problems counties face. The focus is on the art of possibilities. Participants examine separating probabilities (what’s likely to happen) from possibilities (what could happen) and applying concepts of creative and strategic thinking to find different paths to solutions. The conversation provides strategies to question assumptions; identify the environmental issues; distinguish strategies from tactics; use team resources, and structure learning from experience. Instructor is Dr. Rich Callahan, associate professor of management at the University of San Francisco. He brings practical experience working with elected officials in leadership practices. 

The context of county-state revenue relationships

Financing California Counties: A History of Funding Sources

Friday, October 21, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Merced County

Have you found yourself overwhelmed trying to understand the county revenue sources and funding streams? And how we ended up with this complex system? This course provides an in-depth examination of county revenue sources and how they have evolved. Exploring the context of county funding decisions by Legislative and the Administration over the last 40 years is critical in understanding the current state-county funding and revenue relationships. The class examines the history and consequences of major elements in county revenues including: Proposition 13, 172, 1A, Vehicle License Fees, Realignment, ERAF, property tax allocations, current year State budget and more. Instructor is Diane Cummins, Special Advisor to the Governor on State and Local Realignment.

SPECIAL INTENSIVE WORKSHOP

Context, structure and funding of realignment in California

Realignment 101: The Basics of 1991 and 2011 Realignments 

Thursday-Friday, October 27-28, 2016 – Sacramento
10:00 – 4:30 Thurs., and 9:00 – 3:30 Fri.

This two-day course examines the history and rationale for establishing it in 1991, why programs were included, what was learned, and the expansion to realignment in 2011 – all updated with program and funding changes through 2016. Participants first examine the establishment and programs of the 1991 realignment. Discussion details health and human services and mental health programs*. Participants explore individual programs, how they work, funding and current status. The course examines the 2011 realignment – including AB 109 – with an emphasis on public safety programs. Details on the realigned programs, changes to 1991 realignment services, implementation, funding and how counties are implementing the 2011 realignment are all discussed. The second day features a detailed examination of fiscal issues: structure and allocation of local funds; flow of funds in human services, public safety, health, behavioral health, and other programs; forecasting and tracking realignment, VLF and Prop 172 funds; fund growth; and other fiscal issues. Instructors are Diane Cummins, special advisor to the Governor on state and local realignment; Andrew Pease, Finance Director, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency; and Robert Manchia, San Mateo County Human Services Agency. Registration for this two-day workshop is $258.

*NOTE: A realignment course specific to the 2011 public safety realignment will be offered in February 2017.

To register for courses or to learn more about the Institute, credential programs, and courses, please visit www.csacinstitute.org.