Program Offers In-Depth Study of County Government

Commissioners Court Advanced Curriculum (CCAC) is a comprehensive educational program designed specifically for members of the Commissioners Court.

CCAC was adopted by the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas (CJCAT) in 1992 to provide curriculum for an advanced study in county government. The program is continually updated as foundational information provided in the original program is merged with material necessitated by legislative changes and the new and varied challenges faced by a rapidly growing state.

The development of CCAC is a combined effort of the CJCAT, V.G. Young Institute of County Government, a part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, and the Texas Association of Counties. Since its inception, 535 Judges and Commissioners have completed the program.

“This curriculum strengthens the credibility of our elected officials, helping them garner respect as they seek out education that will help them excel in their official duties,” said Bell County Commissioner Richard Cortese, chair of the  CJCAT Commissioners Education Program Offers In-Depth Study of County Government Committee. CCAC classes can count toward an official’s statutorily required education; however, CCAC certification requires officials to go above and beyond their mandated hours.

CCAC provides a comprehensive course of study as follows:

◆◆Phase I Orientation – Hours presented at LBJ School of Public Affairs

◆◆Phase II Basics – 16 hours

◆◆Phase III Advanced Instruction – 32 hours

Phase I Orientation courses currently are offered at the LBJ School of Public Affairs Seminar for Newly Elected County Judges and Commissioners, which is conducted in Austin every January following an election year. Attendance at this seminar has traditionally been limited and restricted to new Judges and Commissioners. Since it is not feasible to require County Judges and Commissioners to retroactively attend the LBJ Orientation Seminar, County Judges and Commissioners who assumed office prior to Jan. 1, 1995, are permitted to substitute 16 hours of other approved instruction for the orientation course.

Phase II County Government Basics includes instruction concerning the duties and responsibilities of all county officers and departments. Phase III includes advanced instruction in the functions of county government. These courses are offered at the annual County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas regional and state conferences and the annual V.G. Young Institute of County Government School for County Commissioners Courts.