The California State Association of Counties Institute for Local Government has announced its July course schedule. And in July, one of the courses will be offered in Los Angeles, in addition to the normal schedule of courses for Sacramento.

When Things Go Bad:  Managing Crises from Realignment
Burbank, CA
Thursday, July 12 10:00 am to 3:30 pm (lunch included)

A special course for Supervisors and senior executives to prepare yourself for those unanticipated crises. With the 2011 public safety realignment comes broad collaboration among county agencies, community organizations and the courts. There also comes the likelihood that some things will go wrong. Is your County prepared? How will all the partners come together quickly when bad things happen? This course will help you be prepared!

A specific set of steps are examined to prepare your communications response: designing strategies and tactics which target affected audiences, preparing key messages, and delivering your response via the news media and other communications vehicles. Techniques are shared for response options, sample messages, understanding media perspective and how to avoid common pitfalls and missteps.

Faculty include: Sheri Benninghoven, APR, President/SAE Communications, former Communications Director for the League of Cities and one of the nation’s most experienced professionals in helping local governments develop strategic crisis communications programs. Scott Summerfield is an expert in public agency strategic communications and public participation. Terry Amsler is Director of the Institute for Local Government’s Public Engagement program.

Cost Principles for County Governments and their Nonprofit Partners
Sacramento, CA
Thursday, July 19 9:30 am to 3:30 pm (lunch included)

With few exceptions, when counties and nonprofits that receive grants from the federal government they must follow certain cost principles in allocating expenses. Violating these cost principles can result in unallowable expenditures, often culminating in large repayments by the county … and sometimes worse!  This class is designed to help you understand the cost principles applicable to state and county governments and nonprofit organizations and learn how to ensure that costs claimed against government grants are allowable, and therefore, reimbursable.

Participants examine the criteria for determining whether a cost is allowable and the permissibility of specific items of cost. Special attention is placed on how to adequately document the costs claimed. The class is ideal for those who manage nonprofit contracts and county programs funded by state or federal grants.  Eligible for 6 CPE credits for certified public accountants.

Instructor Sefton Boyars, CPA, CGFM, CFS from the CalCPA Education Foundation has served as a federal Inspector General for Audits as well as executive positions in federal audit agencies and a California county.

Institute courses are $75/person (includes materials and lunch). Discounts apply for multiple registrations.

To register for courses or to learn more about the Institute, credential programs, and courses, please visit www.csacinstitute.org, or email info@csacinstitute.org and request an informational packet.

Finally… A practical, professional source of continuing education for California Counties…