2004-2005 Kleps Award Recipient
Regional Educational Consortium
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ABOUT
In 2003 the Superior Courts of Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties
collaborated to create a Regional Educational Consortium for staff training. The consortium had a
twofold purpose: to offer employee development and training
consistent with Judicial Council and individual court
goals; and to make the most courses available to the largest
number of employees at the lowest cost while avoiding
duplication of effort.
The Santa Clara court already had a development and
training unit, which the smaller courts could use to get
started. Among them, the courts brought together
■ Trainers and facilitators
■ Workshop and course materials
■ Supplies
■ Facilities
■ Funds to buy materials
■ Clerical staff to compile and distribute materials
The four courts now can offer continuous orientation, training,
and development to employees through the use of courses
and modules
■ Developed by the participating courts
■ Offered by the Administrative Office of the Courts
■ From the Association of Court Trainers
■ From outside vendors
Courses and modules are tailored to the participating courts’ needs and are offered in convenient locations.
Whenever a court develops a course, it is shared; when a court needs a course created, the work
is shared. Most courses are free, because they use materials available within the judiciary; otherwise,
courts pay for materials only when staff members attend the course.
To measure the effectiveness and value of each course, all attendees are asked to complete evaluation
questionnaires, and the results are analyzed. Consortium members address deficiencies immediately.
Workshop facilitators ask peers to evaluate their new courses.
An annual training day is held each February, open to all employees of the consortium courts. Ride sharing
and other cost-saving measures help make the event accessible.
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