PROVIDING A WIDE VARIETY OF TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES RELEVANT TO THE DAILY challenges in public office is an important service that the Texas Association of Counties provides its members. Over the past four years, overall attendance to TAC education events has doubled in size. Much of this growth is due to a concerted effort to produce professionally planned events that benefit county officials and their staff. Many TAC programs are co-sponsored by state institutions of higher learning including the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs and Texas Tech University School of Law.
To ensure maximum quality and in order to provide continuing education credits, all TAC Education events adhere to strict standards developed by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training. (IACET). The TAC Education Department has been an authorized CEU provider since 1995. Each year, TAC education program managers work with county officials to keep programs fresh and relevant to current county needs. And at each training event, the Association asks participants to rate their experiences for use in planning the following year’s events. Here are a few of their comments:
Very good! Different - not the norm... Made me stay and think about things.
I really learned a great deal from this course and I would fully recommend it to all incoming new judges and staff. Thanks TAC!
As a new employee with no previous exposure to objective classification, I found the courses informative and user friendly.
The information was timely and on-target and for someone who doesn’t pretend to be up on all the aspects of the job, valuable to me and my county.
Great! Its just gets better every year. I’ve been to all of them.
On the next few pages is information that covers courses currently available during 2003. Further details will be mailed about two months before each program and are available in TAC publications and on our web site, www.county.org.
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS TAC education programs meet the mandatory education requirements of most county offices. The Association is an authorized CEU Sponsor of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS To help control cost, the Association arranges special hotel accommodations for many association events. Watch for full information on the TAC web site and in promotional brochures and publications. Early reservations are recommended.
HOW TO REGISTER To ensure that conference staff members are well prepared for participation by county officials and staff, early registration is encouraged for all Association events. For convenience, folks can easily register on-line at www.county.org for almost all events.
Forms will be mailed about eight weeks prior to a program and are due back with payment one to three weeks prior to the event. For statewide events, refunds are available. Conference brochures will explain refund information. Refunds are not available for regional events. Registration fees for all Association events are transferable to another individual for attendance at the same event.
ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Contact the Education Department at 800-456-5974 if special accommodations are needed.
COUNTIES AND COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS with special training needs often call on the Texas Association of Counties for special assistance. A number of custom training programs can be brought to a member’s courthouse free of charge.
LOSS CONTROL. With representatives assigned to four different regions, loss control specialists are available to identify potential hazards that can harm employees, work with counties to find ways for improving safety, and help cut costs to local taxpayers. In addition to on-site training for members, these specialists can perform local safety inspections, audits, and consultation. This division also provides counties with a complete audio-visual library, payroll stuffers and safety posters to enhance our member’s training efforts.
HUMAN RESOURCES. In the age of lawsuits, the Personnel Assistance Program works to keep counties out of their own courtrooms through education about employment law and technical assistance on specific employment-related questions and problems. Specialists help counties develop local personnel policies that comply with federal and state employment regulations. A video lending library and articles distributed through County Magazine provide detailed information on the latest news in the human resources management field.
LAW ENFORCEMENT. Field Services staff meet with sheriffs and constables to help identify solutions for risk management related issues. In partnership with the Sheriff’s Association of Texas and the Texas Jail Association, the law enforcement specialists in the Field Services Department work to address needs in patrol and jail management. Regional training workshops focus on current issues that face law enforcement, such as dealing with mental illness in the jail and handling difficult situations that arise.
Call Field Services at 800-456-5974 for more information or to receive personalized assistance in coverage analysis, law enforcement consulting, bid specifications, personnel workshops, personnel consulting, safety program consulting, safety training, hazard communications training, video library resources.
PRAISE FROM RECENT FIELD SERVICES SESSIONS:
“Liked the idea of workshops around the state that allow you to go home every night.”
“Always helps when you have instructors that can put forth vibrant energy which made this class a success.”
“I enjoyed the class. It helped me to remember things that I have allowed to slip.”
COUNTY JUDGES ARE NOT ON THEIR OWN IN THEIR efforts to fairly and effectively preside over constitutional county courts. They have access to an extensive education program, as well as Internet resources, available through the Texas Judicial Academy and TAC.
Since 1984 the County Judges Education Committee has produced programs that fulfill statutory judicial education requirements for constitutional county judges. In 2001, the judicial education program was upgraded by the creation of the Texas Judicial Academy, a partnership between TAC’s County Judges Education Committee and the Texas Tech University School of Law. Major events sponsored by the Academy in 2003 include two 16-hour Judicial Education Sessions, a 12-hour Judicial Writing Workshop, two 16-hour Computer Skills and Research courses and a 12-hour Court Assistants Training Conference.
Several regional programs of four hours each are also produced cooperatively with various associations of County Judges and Commissioners, the V.G. Young Institute of County Government and TAC.
The TAC Judicial Education Program is partially funded by a Judicial and Court Personnel Training Fund Grant administered by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals that provides limited reimbursement for travel, lodging and meals. The grant reimburses county judges for one TAC Judicial Education Session each state fiscal year (Sept. 1 - Aug. 31) and also reimburses court assistants for one training conference at state rates each fiscal year. Registration fees are not reimbursable.
Conference information and registration forms will be mailed to county judges approximately six weeks prior to each major program, but some details are listed below to help participants plan their educational year:
JUDICIAL EDUCATION SESSIONS Spring Session, March 26-28 - Lubbock Fall Session , November 19-21 - Lubbock The Judicial Education Sessions for Constitutional County Judges offer a comprehensive judicial education curriculum. Structured courses present balanced training in probate, criminal, juvenile, civil, ethics, fairness, and general judicial subjects. Proper usage of appropriate BenchBook sections is coordinated with presentations. Duplicate 16-hour judicial education sessions are conducted . This course is approved for 16 hours of Judicial Education credit.
COMPUTER TRAINING FOR COUNTY JUDGES AND STAFF April 23-25 and May14-16 — Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock Judges and staff with limited or no computer experience receive 16 hours of hands-on computer training. The course covers basic computer skills, e-mail, electronic court resources, and introduction to the Internet. Classes are limited to 12 participants with registration on a first come, first served basis. This course is approved for 16 hours of Judicial Education credit.
COURT ASSISTANTS TRAINING CONFERENCE February 26-28 — Hilton North Hotel, Austin Specialized for county judges’ secretaries, administrative assistants, and court assistants, this 12-hour course offers programs from peers and professionals on open records/open meetings laws, executive sessions, probate and guardianship, indigent defense (including juveniles), diversity in the courtroom, team building, communications skills, election laws, notary publics-risks/responsibilities, county courts legislative update and a panel on county issues. Allowable meals, lodging and travel expenses will be reimbursed. Watch future promotions for details.
TEXAS COLLEGE OF PROBATE JUDGES County judges may also obtain specialized training on probate matters through the Texas College of Probate Judges’ courses, which are not sponsored by the Texas Association of Counties but all courses are approved for judicial education credit. They have scheduled programs March 13-14 in Corpus Christi and May 29-30 in Austin. No locations or dates have been established for a planned September course.
For more information please contact Judge Guy Herman, Texas College of Probate Judges at 512-473-9258. The address is Texas College of Probate Judges, P.O. Box 2025, Austin, Texas 78768. For more information call Dwayne Holman or Joyce Francis at 800-456-5974.
PRIOR COMMENTS ABOUT TAC JUDICIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS: “As a relatively new judge, this was my first TAC judicial conference and I found it very useful.”
“One of the better agenda during the 14 years I have been coming to Lubbock.”
“Great! Its just gets better every year. I’ve been to all of them.” “Excellent workshop. Time well spent.”
INVESTMENT TRAINING HELPS COUNTY INVESTMENT OFFICERS GET THE SAFEST RETURN on the taxpayer’s dollar.
Since 1992, Texas Association of Counties has provided formal education for county investment officers, including an optional certification program which allows investment officers to earn and maintain the certified County Investment Officer (CIO) credential. The Texas Association of County Investment Officer (CIO) program was developed using criteria established by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies for Approval of Certification Programs.
In 1997, the Texas Legislature expanded continuing education requirements for most public fund investment officers, including those in county government, to 10 hours biennially. The following year, the CIO Certification Committee expanded the training program to provide for the needs of all officers involved in public funds investing on the local level by hosting the first Texas Public Funds Investment Conference in Houston. TAC and the Certification Committee continue to expand opportunities for the highest quality education while making it easily accessible to all county and county-related entities.
ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR 2003 INCLUDE: Introductory (Level I) Course: In this program, students encounter approximately 40 hours of classroom instruction. Classes are limited to 20-25 county or county-related entity officials or employees. A waiting list currently exists for future classes. The waiting list is given preference before open enrollment is considered. Certification is an option for those wishing to demonstrate professional development through obtaining and maintaining the CIO credential. Successful completion of the Level I course is mandatory for candidates to take the certification examination. Interested individuals may contact the TAC Education Department for additional information and to be placed on the waiting list.
Continuing Education for Certified County Investment Officers (Level II): Ten hours of continuing education is being offered in San Antonio on June 19-20. This advanced training is geared to the needs of the investment professional and attendance is restricted to those who have completed Level I training prior to the seminar.
2003 Texas Public Funds Investment Conference: The Texas Public Funds Investment Conference in 2003 offers investment education to a broad spectrum of officials involved in public funds investing. While content is designed to meet the needs of county officials, participation is open to investment officers from other governmental entities. The curriculum complies with the training requirements of the Public Funds Investment Act and up to 10 hours of continuing education is available. The conference is scheduled for Nov. 20-21 in the Houston area.
WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID ABOUT INVESTMENT COURSES:
“It gives me the opportunity to discuss investments and issues with others.”
“This year’s conference was truly the best info I had gotten in a long time, partly because of professional speakers, not just other CIOs.”
WHILE CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT IS often not available for Texas officials, the National Association of Counties is an excellent source of quality professional development and continuing education programs. Specific program and schedule information is available well in advance through the NACo Web site, www.naco.org. EVENTS PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR INCLUDE: 2003 NACo Legislative Conference — Feb.28 - March 4 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C.; and 2003 NACo Annual Conference — July 11-15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
THE 2003 COUNTY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE WILL BE HELD APRIL 2-4 at the Doubletree Hotel in Austin. This year’s Institute offers an exciting array of knowledgeable and enlightening speakers in general sessions and four concurrent tracks that include general management, finance for small and mid sized counties, human resources and risk management. With last year’s headlines rife with scandals of corporate America, the theme for this years Institute is “Ethics and Accountability.” Keynote speakers are veteran lawmaker and former dean of the LBJ School, Max Sherman and Mac McGuire, a highly motivational speaker with an uncanny sense of humor. Both keynote speakers will explore the important role of ethics in government leaders.
WHAT PAST ATTENDEES HAVE SAID ABOUT COUNTY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTES:
“I like the fact that your Institute puts forth the latest topics of county interest at the general session — keep that concept going.” “Excellent preparation provided the best of everything. I was resistant to dedicating three of my work days, but was positively pleased with the outcome!” “I wish I could split myself in two and attend both tracks as topics were both relevant and interesting. The energy level and enthusiasm of the opening session and general management track were really appreciated.”
AUGUST 13-15, 2003 HYATT REGENCY ON TOWN LAKE, AUSTIN THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE IS ALL ABOUT CHANGE and many of those directly affect Texas counties. TAC’s Post Legislative Conference, scheduled for Aug. 13-15 in Austin, is designed to help county officials evaluate the impact of new laws and provide explanations by peers, legislators and other professionals. General sessions explore issues of common interest and smaller meetings review changes specific to each county office. Austin’s Hyatt Regency on Town Lake is the host hotel. With registration, participants receive a free copy of TAC’s 2003 Legislative Analysis Report, which highlights major county-related legislation adopted during the 78th Session, including helpful references and indexes. Plans are on the works for an organized golf outing on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 12. Registration fee for spouses is $30 and provides admission to all conference programs including the Wednesday evening party and a special Thursday morning event.
COMMENTS RECEIVED ABOUT PRIOR POST LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS: “Enjoyable and informative, one of the best as usual.” “It was apparent that a lot of thought, planning and hard work went into this conference.” “Always enjoy the interaction with counties and departments other than my own.”
COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DETENTION OFFICERS HAVE VARIOUS options through TAC for continuing education credit recognized by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE).
From Feb. 19 to March 20, training will be offered on a regional basis at 10 locations, in conjunction with the Texas Jail Association. This year’s topic is “Inmate Rights and Privileges.” In this two-day course, which is a requirement for intermediate jailer certification, a summary of the history and evolution of correctional law in conjunction with a rundown and review of fundamental rights under the United States Constitution and their application to county jails will be presented. Civil liability issues, the right to adequate mental health care along with other concerns of current relevant jail operations will be covered during this session.
In addition, TAC’s law enforcement video training program offers videos on loan at no cost to members as a highly efficient and convenient way for law enforcement staff to get needed hours and obtain TCLEOSE training. Since its first publishing, the video library has doubled in size to offer more than 100 law enforcement titles. Those interested in obtaining a copy of the new catalog can call Lee Bell in the TAC Field Service Department at 800-456-5974 or email her at leeb@county.org.