Through the CRCOG Expertise Exchange Program, municipalities may request short-term technical assistance on issues or problems facing their town or city. CRCOG provides technical assistance on several levels:

• CRCOG may sponsor a workshop session at a Municipal Services Committee meeting or hold special technical assistance workshops.
• CRCOG may coordinate direct communication with another municipality that can provide the required information or assistance.
• CRCOG may conduct independent research to respond to the issue or problem or organize a “problem solving team” to do an on-site analysis and issue a findings report to the community requesting assistance.

Types of Expertise Exchange projects include

• Options for Dial-A-Ride services
• Clarifying local responsibilities under the Help America Vote Act and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
• Crafting energy conservation policies
• Identifying health insurance cost containment strategies
• “How-to’s” of running successful orientations for newly-elected officials
• Evaluating regional approaches to GIS and VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) technologies

For more information on the CRCOG Expertise Exchange Program, contact Mary Ellen Kowalewski, Director of Community Development at (860) 522-2217 ext. 22, or e-mail her at mkowalewski@crcog.org or Jennifer March-Wackers, Municipal Services Coordinator at (860) 522-2217 ext. 39, or email her at jwackers@crcog.org.