EDEP Course Descriptions
Executive Housing Management
This two-day program offers executive directors the opportunity to improve
their administrative and leadership skills. Organizational and behavioral
issues are analyzed in the context of the key functions of the position,
including planning, staffing and managing. A case study approach is used
to cover a wide array of topics, such as time management, performance
appraisal, negotiation, conflict resolution, and team building.
Ethics
This seminar is designed to familiarize participants with the ethical
standards and legal requirements relevant to public housing authority
officials. Typical state statutes and HUD regulations are examined and
applied to ethical issues faced by executive directors using a case
study approach.
Financial Management
This one-day course offers the executive director a "big picture"
approach to fiscal resource management. Participants learn the basics
of budget preparation as well as HUD audit requirements. Project-based
budgeting is emphasized in order to help executive directors cope with
anticipated changes at HUD.
Legal Issues
This seminar is intended to provide a practical overview of state statutes and
federal legal requirements pertaining to housing authorities. The major topics
covered include tenancy and evictions; personnel management issues, such as workers'
compensation and ADA requirements; contractual agreements, including Section 8 contracts
and leases; and general litigation and liability.
Maintenance Management
Maintenance Management includes such diverse topics as budget
preparation, staffing, quality control, work order systems, resident
involvement, and insurance and liability. This one-day program
addresses each of these issues and uses examples of well-maintained
public housing authorities to illustrate the concepts learned.
Personnel Management
This one-day course familiarizes executive directors with the
principles of managing people to achieve established goals. Specific
management tools, such as performance appraisal systems, are explained,
and the components of a good personnel policy are discussed. Emphasis
is placed on the role of the executive director in the leading and
motivating housing authority staff.
Procurement and Contract Management
The components of a "good" procurement policy, responsive to both HUD
and state statues, are presented. HUD requirements for small purchases,
emergencies, formal bidding and competitive negotiations are reviewed in
detail, and "typical" state public contract laws are compared. Internal
controls for contract performance monitoring are stressed, and contract
administration procedures, including the oversight role of the board of
commissioners are discussed.
PHAS/SEMAP
This session reviews the theory behind PHAS/SEMAP and provides a
detailed explanation of each of the HUD indicators, including how each
is measured and graded. The use of PHAS/SEMAP as management tools is
discussed, and participants are shown how to improve their authority's
scores through a systems approach.
Planning for Change
This course provides executive directors with the management tools and skills necessary to adapt to the changes taking place at HUD. Emphasis is placed on strategic planning and creative problem-solving.
Public Relations/Communications
When should a press conference be held? Who are the local media, and
what do they want? This useful seminar addresses these questions and
more ... including how to write and distribute press releases, how to
develop a quality newsletter, how to improve the image of the housing
authority, how to develop and maintain press contacts, and how to
manage the media during a crisis.