CSG South provides numerous opportunities for policymakers to focus on the issues most relevant to state government, share ideas among their peers, and develop expertise on both the regional and national level. Stay connected on the issues facing states and the region.
2024 Masterclass Schedule
Registration for the 2024 Policy Masterclasses is now closed.
Click HERE to download the 2024 Course Catalogue.
Previous Policy Masterclasses:
All of the Above: Ensuring Energy Independence
October 24-26, 2023
Wheeling, West Virginia
Over three days, participants engaged in programming covering myriad topics related to energy policy. Participants also toured the Alliance Resource Partners’ Tunnel Ridge surface mine and had the opportunity to “choose their own adventure,” opting between an underground mine tour at American Consolidated Natural Resources, or a tour of the MPX Majorsville plant.
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The Opioid Crisis: Understanding and Addressing the Public Health Emergency
October 10-12, 2023
Kansas City, Missouri
Southern state legislators and staff convened in Kansas City, Missouri for the “Opioid Crisis” Masterclass. 22 Legislators, executive appointees, and staff from ten CSG South member states attended. Participants learned how opioids work and their use in the medical field, the science behind the chronic disease of addiction, and the roots of the current epidemic dating back more than 100 years.
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Leveraging Learning Loss: A Public Policy Approach
September 26-28, 2023
Atlanta, Georgia
In this Policy Masterclass, participants engaged in programming covering myriad topics and issues across the education policy spectrum. Briefings included NAEP 101 training, strategies for addressing chronic absenteeism, examples of successful learning acceleration and recovery programs using federal funds from three Southern states, the often-overlooked aspects of early childhood and special education, and how to use data in education policy decisions.
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Anchors Aweigh: Navigating the Policy of Ports
October 4-6, 2022
Savannah, Georgia
Over three days, participants heard from experts around the country on port operations, the Jones Act, workforce development, dredging, and the logistical difficulties of the modern supply chain. Participants also toured the third busiest port in the United States, the Port of Savannah. The Masterclass ended with a conversation on how states can make strategic infrastructure investments to facilitate long-term and sustainable growth at their ports.
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The Future State: How Policymakers Can Understand and Incubate Cybersecurity, Technology, and Innovation in the South
September 27-29, 2022
Birmingham, Alabama
Participants engaged in programming over two days, covering myriad topics and issues across the fields of cybersecurity, innovation, and technology. Briefings covered the importance of investing in rural innovation and expanding opportunities for rural citizens to join the tech workforce, Southern state innovation in biotechnology and remote medical care, the creation and future of the Alabama Innovation Corporation, trends in state information technology and cybersecurity, and how to respond to and prevent cyberattacks on K-12 public school systems.
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Growing Prosperity: Agriculture, Technology, and the Future of Farming
September 6-8, 2022
Atlanta, Georgia
Over two days, participants learned about recent developments in agriculture, technology, and relevant state and federal legislation. Briefings covered the current state of agriculture, farm labor shortages, food insecurity, agricultural trade, and the struggle of small rural farmers.
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Addressing Mental Health in Our Schools
October 21-22, 2021
Atlanta, Georgia
Participants examined state- and region-specific school mental health policy issues ranging from the importance of school counselors and school psychologists, opportunities to partner with federal agencies on student mental and behavioral health, improving training and policies surrounding school resource officers, and building comprehensive support systems via school-based health centers and expanded telehealth opportunities.
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Water Management Forum
October 12-14, 2021
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Participants received briefings from The Water Institute of the Gulf, Louisiana State University (LSU), the LSU Center for River Studies, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, University of Texas at Austin, South Carolina Floodwater Commission. Discussions centered on best practices in flood mitigation, Louisiana’s science-based Coastal Master Plan developed by the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, lessons from the South Carolina Floodwater Commission as well as the Dutch Dialogues model for addressing the challenges faced by coastal communities around the world.
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Enhancing Workforce Development in the South
September 13-14, 2021
Atlanta, Georgia
Participants examined state- and region-specific workforce development policy issues, including expanding apprenticeship programs to boost skills and employee readiness; developing safe and effective occupational licensure laws; strengthening workforce readiness and retention in rural areas; and building comprehensive broadband infrastructure to serve both urban and rural areas.
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