NEW STATEWIDE INSTITUTE OUTLINES IMMEDIATE ACTIONS
AIMED AT HELPING HARD-PRESSED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

	RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 30 -- In coming months, Virginia's local
governments will see improved access to the most current information
they need and have broad new opportunities for training and
technical assistance, according to a plan approved by government and
education representatives here Wednesday.
	The blueprint of the state's recently established Virginia
Institute of Government calls for, among dozens of special efforts,
a statewide electronic information system and data base for
localities; comprehensive training programs and special seminars
available for both elected and appointed officials, and special
assistance in policy research.
	The Institute was established by the 1994 General Assembly
with a $525,000 two-year general fund appropriation to help meet the
increasingly complex and pressing needs of governments throughout
the state.  Based at the Richmond office of the University of
Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, and operating in
conjunction with other state universities and public agencies, it is
guided by an 18-member advisory board that includes six state
legislators, six cabinet and higher education representatives
appointed by the governor, and six appointees of local government
officials' groups.  (A list of board members is attached.)
	"Faced with shrinking resources and increasing demands,
Virginia's local governments, large and small, urgently need the
best training and technical assistance our universities and other
institutions have to offer," said Carl Stenberg, director of the
Cooper Center.  "The programs that will be offered by the Virginia
Institute of Government will help our local governments perform at
the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness, and help prepare
the next generation of local leaders."
	The Institute's initial efforts are based on priorities
recommended through a series of seven regional meetings held around
the Commonwealth, co-sponsored by state colleges, community colleges
and universities.  Public officials from some 120 localities
identified dozens of significant needs that are arising as they are
being forced to do more with less, said U.Va. professor Robert E.
Matson, the Institute's transition director.
	The Institute will focus at first on needs that will have
the greatest impact on the most local governments, Matson said.  The
needs most frequently cited included better ways to keep up with
rapidly changing and increasing information; training in a wide
range of areas, from computers to cultural diversity to
team-building and leadership; technical assistance on numerous
specific projects, from drafting ordinances to long-range planning;
and regional cooperation.
	Actions that the Institute will take immediately and through
the coming year include:
	¥ establishing a special "local government forum" for
idea-and information-sharing on the state's electronic
public-information system on the America Online computer network.
	¥ expanding the government-related information and
statistical data base on the U.Va. Cooper Center for Public
Service's electronic bulletin board and developing a broad new
government data base with access to numerous resources through
Internet. 
	¥ inventorying all types of local government data and
technical resources and providing information on how to obtain it.
	¥ issuing a statewide calendar of training opportunities for
local government officials and developing a clearinghouse of
contacts who are involved in innovative strategies for improving
government performance.
	¥ providing technical training in information technology to
local governments.
	¥ offering a series of seminars on promoting effective
organizational change and other innovative ideas.
	¥ offering an expanded network of leadership development
training programs through all Virginia universities.
	¥ working with local boards and commissions that operate
parks, libraries, airports and other projects, to identify specific
technical needs.
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November 30, 1994

	For additional information contact Sandra Wiley, the
Institute's assistant transition director, at (804) 692-0126.