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.
Those who would like to facilitate a 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 covers resident-driven community improvement efforts, including community building principles, neighborhood assessment activities and strategies for stakeholder engagement.
2nd edition curriculum expands on the 1st edition to include embedded activities, reflection questions and content on smoke-free environments and climate change.
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.
Click the button below to contact us for additional information on any of the resources listed above, or to learn about RLAs happening in your community.
Many individuals and organizations are involved in Resident Leadership Academies across the County. The latest updates can be found on social media. Click on the buttons below to learn more.
NEWS | September 05, 2021
Olivewood Gardens Youth Leadership Program Revitalizes Outdoor Spaces After a COVID-19 Lockdown
NEWS | March 10, 2021
RLA COVID-19 Relief Projects Support Resilience, Connection and Community Health
NEWS | June 30, 2019
South Bay Resident Leaders Host Wellness Walk to Improve Health in their Community
NEWS | December 17, 2018
Bayside Community Center Graduates a New Class of Resident Leaders