On July 1, 2019, Cuyahoga County kicked off Innovation Academy Training with the first Yellow Belt Course. The Cuyahoga County Innovation Academy (CCIA) uses Lean Six Sigma and Project Management methodologies to equip and enhance employees with the skills to improve programs and find efficiencies across the County. The CCIA consists of three different course levels:

• Yellow Belt (1-day course) - an Introductory course focused on understanding principles and concepts,
• Green Belt (2.5-day course) - an Intermediate course focused on project implementation, and
• Black Belt (5-day course) - an Advanced course focused on mentoring, multiple project management and change management

The Innovation Academy was modeled after the Denver Peak Academy training, a best practice process improvement program for local government that has identified over $30 million in improvements over seven years. The goal of the program is to teach process improvement methodologies to County employees, prepare them with the skills to implement process improvements and provide support through the implementation phase.

Twenty employees from around the County took part in the first training lead by Karil Sampson, Director of Process Improvement with the Office of Innovation and Performance. Nine different departments were represented including the Treasury Office, Job and Family Services, Child Support Services, Information Technology, Sheriff’s Department, Senior and Adult Services, Department of Development, Innovation and Performance, and Public Works.

All employees that attend a Green or Black belt training will be required to show an implemented process improvement to receive their certification. This will ensure the CCIA not only teaches best practices, but also works with participants to implement the skills they have learned to the benefit of Cuyahoga County.

“Those doing the work often know the problems and have the best ideas on how to solve them,” said Karil Sampson. “The Cuyahoga County Innovation Academy will give employees the skills and tools to identify problems and solutions. Even better, with the project focus, employees will be empowered and required to improve processes to better serve our residents.”

Cuyahoga County previously provided Lean Six Sigma training through Lean Ohio grants. Improved processes were implemented in the Department of Development, the Office of Child Support Services, and Job and Family Services. However, in 2018, those grant funds were no longer available. Therefore, the CCIA was created to bring the training in-house, which is more cost-effective and provides a greater focus on implementation of improvements across all projects.

“I appreciated learning that the crux of a goal is the combination of what the agency wants and needs AND what the client wants and needs,” said Yellow Belt Stephanie Thornton, Employment and Family Services. “This makes for a process that reflects what is helpful for both parties.”

One participant noted, “The (Yellow Belt) training was geared towards consistency and following the same process to achieve the same outcome, each time. I look forward to applying for my green belt to enhance my performance abilities.”

This first class was only just the start of the CCIA. Going forward, Yellow Belt training classes will be held every month. The first Green Belt training will be held in August and continue on a quarterly basis. Black Belt training will start in January 2020 and be held biannually. Green and Black belts have a year after they complete the course to implement project improvements to get their certification.