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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 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
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.
RLA Resources & Opportunities
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
- 07/05/2022
Blog Post
County and Local Partners Launch Parks After Dark Program
- 06/21/2022
Blog Post
Legal Aid Society Advocates for Low Income Residents
- 06/19/2022
Blog Post
Martin Luther Kings Jr Community Choir San Diego Uses Their Talents to Celebrate Juneteenth
- 06/17/2022
Blog Post
Feeding San Diego Rises to the Challenge of Fighting Hunger in Wake of Pandemic
- 06/15/2022
Blog Post
Diabetes Research Connection Celebrates 10 Years of Funding Trailblazing Type 1 Diabetes Research
- 06/15/2022
Blog Post
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest Launches First Ever Digital Annual Report
- 06/13/2022
Blog Post
Community Through Hope Provides more than 500 showers to the Unsheltered Homeless Community Through New Program Project ReFresh
- 06/11/2022
Blog Post
Project New Village is Launching a Mobile Farmers Market
- 06/11/2022
Blog Post
Child Welfare Services Elevates Foster Youth Educational Success
- 06/11/2022
Blog Post
Coastal Roots Farm Brings Tribal Food Sovereignty and Education Programs to the Community
- 06/05/2022 3:31 PM
Blog Post
Regional Task Force on Homelessness RTFH Help Tackle Homelessness by Conducting WeAllCount Point in Time Count