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Resident Leadership Academies
Resident Leadership Academies (RLAs) are multi-week training programs for San Diego County residents who want to learn how to improve their local communities. Training sessions focus on topics such as community leadership, crime prevention and safety, land use and active transportation, and healthy food systems.
Residents learn skills and best practices to address the issues that most affect their communities, and they work alongside their neighbors to help improve quality of life where they live. Upon graduation, attendees have new knowledge and access to a support network to help them lead community improvement projects.
RLA Updates and Opportunities
Many individuals and organizations are involved in Resident Leadership Academies across the County. The latest updates can be found on social media.
RLA Curriculum
Those who would like to facilitate an RLA can find the Facilitator/Train the Trainer and Participant materials below. The RLA Curriculum consists of a Participant Manual, modifiable PowerPoints, and various templates and handouts. The curriculum covers subjects such as Community Building Principles, Social Determinants of Health, Land Use and Community Planning, and more.
The County of San Diego currently has two approved RLA curriculums available. For groups funded for a particular RLA session or project, the version of the curriculum to be used will be determined by your funder (see links below). For all other groups, either version, or elements from both, may be used for the trainings.
- 1st Edition Curriculum
1st edition curriculum covers resident-driven community improvement efforts, including community building principles, neighborhood assessment activities and strategies for stakeholder engagement. - 2nd Edition Curriculum
2nd edition curriculum expands on the 1st edition to include embedded activities, reflection questions and content on smoke-free environments and climate change.
Additional RLA Curriculum
- Heat Risk Education Curriculum
The Heat Risk Education Curriculum is a set of PowerPoints and facilitator guides meant to support community leaders and residents involved in community engagement work. The curriculum covers strategies for communicating about global warming and heat risk to the community to motivate behavior change, and covers topics such as global warming, heat illnesses, at-risk groups, prevention, and taking action.
RLA Resources & Opportunities
View the Community Health Improvement Partner's Resident Leadership Academy page for the latest on meetings and trainings.
Bi-Monthly RLA Council Meetings
Meetings to provide additional training, discuss RLA updates, and to engage with other RLA practitioners. Anyone in the RLA network (graduates/residents, facilitators, CBOs and agencies supporting RLA) is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Technical Assistance (TA) for RLA Practitioners
TA is provided by the County to any RLA Practitioner involved with RLAs. TA may consist of assistance with planning of future RLAs, and development, refining, and implementation of Community Improvement Projects (CIPs), for example. For groups funded for a particular RLA session or project, the TA provider will be determined by your funder.
RLA Network Supplemental Training Workshops for Current RLA Practitioners
Supplemental trainings are available to anyone in the RLA network (graduates/residents, facilitators). These trainings focus on expanding leadership skills and offering opportunities for current RLA practitioners to engage with one another. The supplemental trainings may cover, but are not limited to, such topics as: Presentation Skills, Meeting Facilitation, and/or Applying for Resources.
New Facilitator Training/Train the Trainer Seminars
Seminar participants attend 3-4 full days of training, which consist of a detailed review of the curriculum, facilitation practice and tips for RLA planning and coordination. One or more new facilitator trainings per year will be offered through 2019.
Contact us for additional information on any of the resources listed above, or to learn about RLAs happening in your community.
RLA Success Stories
Pro Kids Teaches Youth Life Skills through the Game of Golf
Alison Aragon, Director of Development, Pro Kids – The First Tee of San Diego
School may be out for summer, but for kids at Pro Kids, First Tee of San Diego it’s been all fun in the sun! Pro Kids summer camps in City Heights and Oceanside promote new experiences, focus on developing peer bonds, and offer abundant opportunities for students to get out on the golf course and play.
Pro Kids couples golf instruction with a curriculum designed by First Tee that teaches kids life skills – like how to introduce yourself to someone new or what to do when you get angry or frustrated – and core values like respect and honesty. In addition to daily golf classes, campers have the opportunity to visit the San Diego County Fair, participate in a beach cleanup at Mission Bay, and visit the Oceanside Pier.
City Heights
For nearly two decades Colina Park Golf Course has served as the headquarters for Pro Kids, First Tee – San Diego and serves more than 1,500 children per year through a partnership with the City of San Diego and the San Diego Unified School District. All public greens fees, rental fees, and driving range revenue go toward supporting youth programs.
Oceanside
In 2012, Pro Kids opened its second facility in Oceanside through a partnership with Callaway Golf which committed $2 million to help build the 4,400 square foot Ely Callaway Golf & Learning Center. TaylorMade, another major force in the golf world, also helped Pro Kids expand to North County by committing $1 million for the facility’s six-hole, par-3 golf course which opened in March 2013.
Here is what Pro Kids are saying about their camp experience:
- “All the camps have been so much fun all the activities and field trips are awesome.” - William Stack (nicknamed Hollywood), 11 years old.
- “My favorite field trip so far has been the Japanese friendship garden looking at the fish. Something I would tell a little kid my age if they came to Pro Kids, don’t worry, you can have fun, the big kids are nice.”- Heidi Martinez, 7 years old.
- “My favorite intern is Fabian. He talks to me and helps me because he said he’s shy too.” -Troy Nevers, 13 years old.
- “My advice to any new interns would be don’t be afraid to ask for help. Since interning at Pro Kids, I’ve felt good about helping kids. I’ve learned how to interact with adults and kids in a different way”- Fabian Cordero (Intern), 17 years old.
Pro Kids challenges youth to excel in life by promoting character development, life skills, and values through education and the game of golf. They offer welcoming, accessible facilities in the heart of City Heights and Oceanside, year-round, 6 days a week.
To learn more about their programs visit https://thefirstteesandiego.org/