Lifelong learning is a key component to the success of local officials and ICG understands the importance of continued education that improves our members’ knowledge and skills. Continuing Education courses are offered throughout the year at FAC events and participants benefit from the advanced instruction and specific expertise that is provided at these seminars.

Course Electives
  • Hazard Mitigation Planning and Projects - Hazard mitigation describes actions taken to help reduce or eliminate long-term risks caused by hazards or disasters. As the costs of disasters continue to rise, governments and citizens must find ways to reduce hazard risks to our communities. For the past two decades, Florida has been a leader in mitigation planning and project implementation. This class provides an overview of the mitigation planning process, project evaluation, and what funding sources are available to counties to develop and maintain a robust mitigation planning program.
  • Emergency Management 101 for County Officials - Emergencies and disasters can pose both short and long-term public policy challenges as they relate to continuity of government, public health, infrastructure, economic development, and the environment. Since Hurricane Andrew impacted Florida in 1992, our state has received 41 Presidential disaster declarations, making it one the most storm-vulnerable states in the nation. The response of elected officials makes a difference in disasters. When they are well informed, and understand their roles and responsibilities, they can effectively lead the community’s response and recovery efforts. When they fail, response is hindered, recovery delayed, and the pain of the disaster is prolonged even further. By statute, Florida counties - and the commissioners that lead them - have a broad range of authorities and responsibilities to deal with disasters. This class provides an overview of the state’s emergency management system, the authorities granted to counties, and the role of the county commission.
  • Public Works 101 for County Officials - Some of the most visible aspects of county government lie within the sphere of public works. Whether its roads, solid waste, utilities, or water, the investment in and management of public works are critical to county government. Moreover, it is that function of local government that impacts nearly every citizen every day – meaning, when things go wrong, county officials will hear its residents. Accordingly, by having an informed understanding of the core functions of public works, county officials are better able to make decisions regarding how facilities are constructed, maintained, and upgraded over time. This class covers the so-called “Big Eight” of public works and discuss various local infrastructure funding sources.
  • Flood Plain Management 101 for County Officials - Floods can happen anywhere, at any time. Residents who live in and outside of a mapped high-risk area should know their risk. More than 22,000 communities throughout the United States and its territories voluntarily participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), representing about 95 percent of all properties in the nation’s high-risk areas. The program is particularly important to Florida, as it has more NFIP policies than any other state in the nation (35% of all policies). However, the NFIP is more than just insurance; it is a planning and regulatory program that, when managed well, reduces a community’s risk of flooding. This class provides and overview of the NFIP, its mapping and regulatory requirements, and details the roles and responsibilities of the county official.
  • Transportation Basics for County Officials
  • Understanding Charter Government
  • Effective Communication

Conferences
FAC hosts four major meetings each year where Continuing Education credit can be awarded:
Innovation and Policy Conference
September 14-16, 2022 – Miami-Dade County
Legislative Conference
November 30 - December 2, 2022 - Pinellas County
Legislative Day
March 15, 2023 - Leon County
Annual Conference
June 27 - 30, 2023 – Orange County


*Credits vary by event (must have 6 CE hours for certification)