TCNewsJanFeb2012



 

 
  January-February 2012 Edition
 
Welcome to The Coordinator, a bi-monthly online newsletter for training coordinators and other judicial employees involved in staff education.  In each edition you will find valuable information about upcoming training events, COJET policy, resources you can use, and insights from your peers in the judiciary. 
 
We always welcome your ideas and feedback at [email protected]

Resource Roundup

 

·         NEW Training on Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees
 
·         American Society For Training & Development (ASTD)

Curriculum Corner

 

·         COJET Book Club Discussion of Blame by Michelle Huneven

Submitted by Laura Ritenour, Scottsdale City Court

In the Spotlight

In future editions of The Coordinator, this section will introduce you to other training coordinators around the state who will share their perspectives and best practices.

We always encourage you to build connections with your fellow training coordinators, both new and veteran. Be sure to visit the Training Coordinator Statewide Directory 

 

Help Keep Us Current – email [email protected] with any updates to the directory.

 

 

 

 
COJET Policy Changes in 2012


Please share the following policy changes, effective January 1, 2012, with all court personnel.

 

The Chief Justice issued Administrative Order 2011-91, which took effect on January 1, 2012, reducing the COJET general requirement by 25% in CY 2012 (for court personnel except judicial officers) to 12 hours, and continuing the suspension of core curriculum requirements.  In light of the gradually improving state budget situation, this is an increase from the 8 hour level of the last three years, but not a full restoration of the 16 hours provided in our COJET code ACJA § 1-302.  
 
New Hires: 
How are new hires affected by the 25% COJET reduction this year?  Prorated hours for newly hired non judicial officer employees, as outlined in ACJA § 1-302 H.3, are further prorated by 25% during calendar year (CY) 2012 to:

o   January – March         9 hours (including orientation/ethics)

o   April – June                 6 hours (including orientation/ethics)

o   July – September                    3 hours (including orientation/ethics)

o   October – December                 (orientation/ethics as appropriate to job position)

Part-time Proration Takes Effect:

In addition, per Administrative Order 2011-38, part-time prorated COJET hours took effect January 1, 2012 for part-time court personnel regularly scheduled each week, who are neither judges nor new employees

 

ACJA § 1-302, H.4. (with AO 2011-91 25% reduction in 2012)

o   Between 30 and 39 hours shall complete 9 hours of judicial education

o   Between 20 and 29 hours shall complete 6 hours of judicial education   

o   Less than 20 hours shall complete 3 hours of judicial education

Non-Facilitated Learning Credit:

In answer to questions regarding non-facilitated (independent) learning credit in 2012, the maximum allowable non-facilitated learning stands as in Code (ACJA 1-302§ E.5.), at 8 hours while the overall education requirement is set at 12 hours, per AO.  Localities may, at their discretion, reduce the non-facilitated learning cap.

If you have questions regarding the above policy changes, please contact Vikki Cipolla-Murillo at (602) 452-3005 or [email protected]

 
 
 
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Training Opportunities for Coordinators and Trainers

 

 

SAVE THE DATE:  Annual Training Coordinator Conference is Thursday, April 19th

Mark your calendar for the next Training Coordinator Conference which is scheduled for Thursday, April 19th. We look forward to welcoming training coordinators and field trainers from across the state for a one-day, energizing and interactive event. Don’t miss your opportunity to network with and learn from your peers, while you gain access to valuable resources and new curriculum.

This conference is offered free of charge to our target audience of Training Coordinators and Field Trainers. For those traveling more than 35 miles, we will reimburse your mileage. For those traveling more than 50 miles, we will cover the cost of lodging the night before.

Please forward any suggestions or questions about this event to [email protected] and be sure to watch for more details in the next edition!
 

NEW: Bi-monthly Webinars for Training Coordinators and Field Trainers

Beginning in February, the Education Services Division will offer bi-monthly one-hour webinars for training coordinators and field trainers around the state. The purpose of each webinar will be to present and/or demonstrate new curriculum resources or provide training on topics relevant to the role of a training coordinator. During this first year, the day and time will vary for each webinar until the best timeframe is determined.

Registration information will be provided here in The Coordinator newsletter.  You must register to participate live, but please keep in mind that webinars will be recorded and available on-demand for those who cannot attend due to our capacity or scheduling conflicts.

Our first webinar of 2012 will be held on Monday, February 13th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. The topic will be: Communication Skills curriculum from ASTD.

To register:

·         Type azcourts.webex.com into your browser

·         Click the “Upcoming” tab

·         Look for “TC WEBINAR SERIES” on 2/13 and click on “Register”

·         Enter registration password: communication

·         After you complete the registration form you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for attending the course. If the course is full, you will be put on the waiting list. 

Please send an email to [email protected] if you experience any technical challenges or have questions.

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American Society for Training & Development

 

 

www.astd.org

The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) is the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and development professionals. ASTD’s members come from more than 100 countries and connect locally in more than 125 U.S. chapters and with more than 20 international partners. Members work in thousands of organizations of all sizes, in government, as independent consultants, and suppliers.

Started in 1943, in recent years ASTD has widened the profession’s focus to link learning and performance to individual and organizational results, and is a sought-after voice on critical public policy issues.

ASTD :

  • Provides resources for learning and performance professionals, educators, and students—research, analysis, benchmarking, online information, books, and other publications
  • Brings professionals together in conferences, workshops, and online
  • Offers professional development opportunities for learning practitioners, from a Job Bank and Career Center, to certificate programs and the only credential offered in the field: the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)
  • Serves as the voice of the profession to the media and to public policy makers in the U.S., and collaborates with other associations, organizations, and educational institutions to advance the profession (Read more in the State of the Industry Report
  • Recognizes excellence and sets the standard for best practices in learning and performance

ASTD has two chapters in Arizona (Phoenix and Tucson) for in-person training opportunities and offers many free online resources to the public, with additional benefits to their members. You can access or register for the following titles free of charge from their Professional Development Webcast Series:  

·         Leading in the Learning Function as a Business Partner

·         Driving Participation in the Virtual Classroom: "See" You in Class

·         Yawn-Proof Your E-Learning

·         Twitter 101: The Basics and Tips for Learning Use 

The Education Services Division will be purchasing several ASTD curriculum books in the next few months for use by Training Coordinators. Don’t miss the February TC Webinar which will feature the module on Communication.

 

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COJET Book Discussion of Blame, by Michelle Huneven
 

By Laura Ritenour, Court Services Supervisor and former Technology Coordinator

Scottsdale City Court

Due to court budget cuts in training, Court management brainstormed ways to provide in-house opportunities for staff.  One suggestion was the idea of having a “book club discussion.” 

The group discussion would focus on the main character’s perception of court proceedings (an arraignment and a sentencing) and the ethical behavior of the book’s characters.  At the end of the discussion, a participant would receive 6 hours of COJET (includes one hour of Ethics).    Discussion attendees would sign off on an “expectations” document that listed the learning objectives and the expectations the facilitators had of them (that attendees would read the entire book and participate fully in the one hour discussion).

The book chosen was Blame by Michelle Huneven.  Blame is set in more modern times than other COJET movies/books (To Kill a Mockingbird and Amistad) and deals with a case type (DUI) that is seen in our court. The local library had five copies that the court could check out.

Blame, is the story of Patsy MacLemoore, a history professor with a brand-new PhD and two DUI convictions.  Patsy wakes up in jail after another alcoholic blackout to discover that a mother and daughter have been killed by her car in her driveway.  The story takes the reader through her court proceedings, her time in jail and prison, and her life on probation as she tries to make amends for what she has done and her search for “the truth”. Blame is fictional and set in southern California in the 1980’s and 90’s and is 290 pages long.  

After being given supervisor approval, 5 participants were given three weeks to read the book.  The book discussion was scheduled in the fourth week.  The two facilitators developed questions that would focus on the defendant’s perception of the arraignment and sentencing proceedings (including the judge, court staff, courtroom, etc), the relationship between the defendant and the victim, and the ethical behavior of various characters throughout the book in relation to the crime.

At the book discussion, the group discussed ground rules and then the facilitators asked their questions, giving time for each participant to answer and give their opinions.  After one hour, participants were given a short quiz and an evaluation. 

On the evaluations, participants liked being able to read about different situations and then discuss and hear different ethical perspectives.  Some said the story’s depiction of court would influence slightly how they conduct themselves in open court. Participants liked being able to read the book during work hours (during limited times) and some found it hard to find the time to read at home.  Overall, the facilitators and participants felt the book discussion was interesting and informative and the court hopes to repeat this format again.  Future books might include: 

·         To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

·         The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd: The Truth About an American Crime Legend Revealed at Last by Jana Bommersbach

·         Case of a Lifetime:  A Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Story by Abbe Smith

·         Courtroom 302:  A Year Behind the Scenes in an American Criminal Courthouse by Steve Bogira

For more information on this curriculum, please contact Kathy Baca, Scottsdale City Court, at (480) 312-2772 or [email protected].

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