The County Development Institute of Washington (CDIWA) welcomed its first class of newly elected county commissioners, councilmembers, and councilors on Monday, March 29. Over the next seven months, 25 members will complete eleven core courses that address ethics in public service, public records management, budget and finance, risk management, media relations, and leadership.
Designed to maximize flexibility, CDIWA offers participants pre-recorded courses and online assessments that they can access at any time. Upon completion of the program, participants will earn their Certified Public Official (CPO) certification. Core courses were developed by county staff and elected official volunteers committed to creating a continuing education resource for new and experienced county elected officials, administrators, and senior staff.
The County Development Institute of Washington is a partnership between the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) and the Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP). The two organizations began working together on a new professional development program in 2019 after the County Training Institute (CTI) dissolved in 2018. WSAC and WCRP are committed to developing additional training and certification programs that specifically address counties’ needs.
This fall, the County Development Institute of Washington will begin offering continuing education courses for those who wish to maintain their certification. Opportunities for current elected officials and senior staff looking to become a CPO will also be available in the fall. There is no cost to participate, and there is no requirement that you or your county be a member of WSAC or WCRP to enroll.
Learn more about the County Development Institute of Washington by visiting www.cdiwa.org.
