AWWA ACE65580

Ohio RCAP (Rural Community Assistance Program) continues to play a key role in finding affordable solutions for small communities' infrastructure financing. Small Communities using RCAP to provide technical assistance score big toward improving the Technical, Managerial, and Financial Capacity of their utilities. RCAP's position on the team as technical assistance provider, facilitator, trainer, loan and grant writer and administrator makes it both player and coach. The session will detail RCAP's role as coach. As with any good Coach, "training" is a crucial part of a winning team. Over the past several years, Ohio RCAP has developed and delivered "Utility Management for Local Officials" and "Financial Management for Local Officials." Funding, content, presentation, and effectiveness was presented. Both of these workshops are approved for operator contact hours and have been well received by community officials. They are free to attendees and over 600 community officials have participated in the workshops voluntarily. "Asset Management for Local Officials" was offered at 5 sites in Ohio beginning in early 2007. The fourth workshop in the series will involve working with software and a hands on experience in developing an Asset Management plan and setting rates to cover the utilities needs. These workshops are supported by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Participants receive not only the five contact hours for participating in the session, they get a manual and CD that includes a tool kit with examples and templates. Ohio RCAP presenters will discuss curriculum, material, delivery, marketing, outreach, funding and evaluation, and what is next. Ohio RCAP has conducted training at the Ohio Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), for the Operator Training Committee of Ohio, and for Development Districts in southern Ohio. The Curriculum was developed with contributions from Ohio Rural Water Association, Ohio EPA, USDA Rural Development, and The Ohio State University. Includes table.