Training for new responsibilities

[dandy_warhol]

At week ago I was appointed Acting Director for my department. I will maintain my current duties as Chief Planner but also assume the responsibilities of Director for the foreseeable future. Our city is a CDBG entitlement community and CDBG funds the majority of our work, besides grants. I have received information about some upcoming training for the CDBG program. While I am familiar with aspects of CDBG it is definitely an area where I am weak. The first training is in the end of May in a city about 2 hours from here. I don't think it will be a problem for me to get permission to attend. The second is in NOLA in July. This training is for the financial management of CDBG, I definitely need help in that area. I think that training would be quite valuable as well.

Would you think of anything wrong with me asking to attend both trainings? We have funds in the budget that can be used for training since the Director position is now vacant.

Thoughts?

[ColoGI]

At week ago I was appointed Acting Director for my department. I will maintain my current duties as Chief Planner but also assume the responsibilities of Director for the foreseeable future. Our city is a CDBG entitlement community and CDBG funds the majority of our work, besides grants. ...While I am familiar with aspects of CDBG it is definitely an area where I am weak. The first training is in the end of May in a city about 2 hours from here. I don't think it will be a problem for me to get permission to attend. The second is in NOLA in July. This training is for the financial management of CDBG, I definitely need help in that area. I think that training would be quite valuable as well.

Lay it out just like you did. Sane, reasonable people will understand. The rest will never understand under any circumstances. I feel for all your extra duties, hang in there.

[Mud Princess]

At week ago I was appointed Acting Director for my department. I will maintain my current duties as Chief Planner but also assume the responsibilities of Director for the foreseeable future. Our city is a CDBG entitlement community and CDBG funds the majority of our work, besides grants. I have received information about some upcoming training for the CDBG program. While I am familiar with aspects of CDBG it is definitely an area where I am weak. The first training is in the end of May in a city about 2 hours from here. I don't think it will be a problem for me to get permission to attend. The second is in NOLA in July. This training is for the financial management of CDBG, I definitely need help in that area. I think that training would be quite valuable as well.

Would you think of anything wrong with me asking to attend both trainings? We have funds in the budget that can be used for training since the Director position is now vacant.

Thoughts?

Go for it, dandy. CDBG is not an area in which you'll want to "wing it." And, of course, the training will add to your skill set, and make you a more valuable employee.

[Suburb Repairman]

Go for it!!!!

I can tell you from experience that lack of CDBG training will burn you, and burn you badly. I've had to clean-up old CDBG projects that got monitored and had findings because the city staff were not adequately trained. Mistakes in CDBG can carry significant financial implications for a city. I've been on the other side in a state office that did monitoring and demanded repayment for violations. In fact, you can probably get your HUD contact to chime in on the importance of training and the role it plays in their monitoring risk assessments and approach to monitoring for a city.

[Brocktoon]

I agree with everything said. The only other point I would add is whether you become the permenant director or return your position as chief planner that having staff trained up on CDBG is never a bad thing. Furthermore, if your department is mostly funded by CDBG you should advocate to get everyone trained on the program so you don't run into issues that Suburb Repairman mentioned.

[dandy_warhol]

Thanks for the validation, everyone. Before I asked I wanted to make sure I wasn't being unreasonable. Now to get the powers that be to understand.

[Suburb Repairman]

Thanks for the validation, everyone. Before I asked I wanted to make sure I wasn't being unreasonable. Now to get the powers that be to understand.

If you need to scare them, I'll be happy to share some horror stories with you from my CDBG days on both a city-side and state regulatory-side...

[OfficialPlanner]

Go for it!!!!

I can tell you from experience that lack of CDBG training will burn you, and burn you badly. I've had to clean-up old CDBG projects that got monitored and had findings because the city staff were not adequately trained. Mistakes in CDBG can carry significant financial implications for a city. I've been on the other side in a state office that did monitoring and demanded repayment for violations. In fact, you can probably get your HUD contact to chime in on the importance of training and the role it plays in their monitoring risk assessments and approach to monitoring for a city.

+1

I cannot agree more with SR. I'll add that there may be some CDBG administrative funds budgeted for expenses such as training. It may be an easier sell if the travel expenses doesn't necessarily have to come from general revenue.