Chapter Thirteen - Staff Development

Revised 10/23/03
Revised 5/28/98
Revised 12/11/97

13.1           STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Opportunities for staff development are provided, within budgetary constraints, to all full time salaried Board employees. Such opportunities may include relevant courses, in-service training programs, workshops, or conferences. Employees may request permission to attend staff development activities from the appropriate Director. In considering the request, supervisors will consider the benefit to D19 CSB, effect the activities will have on provision of services, how the staff development activity will improve staff competency, and the use of program funds. Request Forms must be completed and approved prior to attendance regardless if there are costs involved.

Courses/ Conferences/ Workshops taking place out of state will not be reimbursed unless the following conditions are met:

  1. There is a demonstrated immediate need for the specific training offered; and,
  2. There is no opportunity to get this type of training in state.
  3. A "Staff Development Reimbursement Request" form (ADMINPERS #16) is required for reimbursement of academic courses, workshops, conferences, licensure expenses or for educational leave. Eligibility considerations for reimbursement are discussed below. The "Staff Development Reimbursement Request" form requires signatory review by the supervisor, Director, Human Resources Director and Finance and Administration Director. Final authorization for reimbursement and educational leave is provided by the Executive Director.
  4. If lodging is approved as part of expenses to be reimbursed on the "Staff Development Reimbursement Request" form, a Purchase Order must be prepared.

13.1.1        Reimbursement Relating to Staff Development

  1. Employees
    1. Tuition reimbursement is available to any full time salaried who has completed six months of continuous service prior to the date on which the request for staff development is made.
    2. Reimbursement shall not be a duplication of educational aid for which an employee may be eligible from a government agency.
    3. An employee's eligibility for tuition reimbursement terminates upon resignation or discharge.
    4. A current appraisal must be on file with the Human Resources Office indicating satisfactory job performance.
    5. If educational or personal leave is to be used, the supervising Program Director should indicate that class attendance will not adversely interfere with production or program requirements.
  2. Courses
    1. Tuition reimbursement may be given for courses offered by schools or institutions which are appropriately accredited.
    2. The course must be specifically related to the employee's present job or to a job to which the employee's assignment is imminent.
    3. Tuition will not be reimbursed for courses taken for the sole purpose of earning a degree. A degree related course may be eligible if it meets the conditions in Item 2 above and is recommended by the Program Director and approved by the Executive Director.
    4. It is preferred that staff development courses be offered through classroom instruction.
    5. In order to qualify for reimbursement (See F. below.) qualification for reimbursement must be granted in advance of taking the course by the Disability/Division and Executive Directors.
    6. Reimbursement for Courses (Tuition) - A Staff Development Reimbursement Request Form (ADMINPERS #16) must be completed and approved prior to course attendance. The total amount reimbursed per staff will be limited to $400 per calendar year and will be charged against the staff member's program budget.
    7. Academic tuition reimbursement will be paid upon receipt of evidence of satisfactory completion ("C" grade) and of a copy of the tuition bill or receipt. These must be submitted by May1 to the Human Resource Office in order to be considered for tuition reimbursement for course taken during the current fiscal year.
     
     No reimbursement will be made for cost of books. Transportation costs will not be reimbursed for associated travel.
  3. Conferences and Workshops
    1. The conference or workshop must be specifically related to the employee's present job or to a job to which the employee's assignment is imminent and will benefit D19 CSB.
    2. Reimbursement for Workshops/Conferences - The cost of approved workshops/ conferences will be paid in full and will be charged against the appropriate program budget. The total amount of employee requested training/workshops/conference will not exceed $300.00 per person per calendar year depending on availability of funds. (For educational and training leave per Section 9.11.1)
  4. Credentialing - Costs incurred for the application and maintaining of professional credentialing or certification (highest level of credentialing/certification paid for) by the appropriate regulatory board may be paid when it is reasonably expected that the employee will continue working for D19 CSB during the subsequent twelve months and there is a direct benefit to be derived by the Agency or resulting from the employee seeking or maintaining these credentials. This determination will be largely based on the credential/ certification relevance for the employee's current position. The employee will be required to sign an agreement stating that in the event the employee voluntarily resigns employment with D19 CSB within twelve months of credentialing payment, the employee must refund the amount paid to D19 CSB.Employees should consult D19 CSB Human Resources for listing of employee's credentialing which will be approved for reimbursement.
  5. Procedure
    1. Request for staff development reimbursement should be submitted to the Human Resources Office by the program director on the reimbursement request.
    2. A recommendation for reimbursement should include:
      1. Course, Workshop, or Conference Title
      2. Cost (including meals, mileage, lodging, parking, tolls, etc.)
      3. Course Description
      4. Rationale/ Relationship to Current or Imminent Assignment
      5. Indication the course is or is not degree related
      6. Dates/ Schedule of Course
      7. Program Director's Recommendation
      8. Proposed total hours of educational leave to be taken
    3. Notification of approval or disapproval will be issued by the Human Resources Office. A copy of this form must be retained in the employee's personnel file.
13.1.2        Special Organizational Requests for Skill Building

Employees may be requested by management to attend a specific course, workshop, conference or obtain and maintain credentials for skill building. The course may be required for any number of purposes; i.e., skill building for current or imminent duties or licensure requirements, to broaden knowledge of D19 CSB operations and procedures, to improve deficient performance, etc.

A "Staff Development Reimbursement Request" form is required for employee skill building. The procedure described in Section 13.1.1 ("Eligibility for Reimbursement") is required for a "Skill Building" reimbursement request. The criteria noted in Section 13.1.1 are applicable to "Skill Building."