A study was conducted to assess the additional monies in circulation within Douglas County due to the existence of Umpqua Community College (UCC). Direct and indirect economic impact was calculated for the 1980-81 fiscal year based on UCC records and staff and student surveys conducted during February 1982. Study findings included the following:…

The paper addresses the importance of developing a rural community's commercial sector for economic development by providing some analytical tools. Procedures are outlined to estimate commercial sector activity in a community, to estimate commercial sector activity for various counties within a state (Nevada is used as an example), and to develop…

This booklet suggests the first steps communities can take in assessing their needs and resources and mobilizing public interest and support for health promotion. It is based on an approach to health education and community organization that recognizes the value of a highly visible, time-limited event, such as a health fair, a marathon, or an…

In response to requests for information from people and organizations all over the United States on how to contribute to the healthy development of young children, the Families and Work Institute has gathered concrete suggestions from leaders in diverse fields into this booklet of action tips. This effort was undertaken to support the "I Am Your…

The California Main Street Program (MSP) provides technical assistance to rural communities facing rapid growth and downtown decay, serving as a vehicle for local stimulation and revitalization of downtown area businesses. This five-part handbook presents strategies for creating partnerships between California's MSPs and the state's community…

This manual collects experiences of successful linkage programs to demonstrate the promise of linkage and to show its limits and risks. It is intended to help communities assess the capacity of linkage to meet their needs and evaluate the considerable commitment this strategy requires. (In linkage programs, developers who receive community…

This document explains how community groups can use the Labor Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) process to ensure that skills taught in school are those sought by employers. Chapter 1 explains how the SCANS process works. Chapter 2 is titled "What SCANS Means to You." Chapter 3 explains how to build coalitions,…

This handbook provides instructions to help communities form county rural development (CRD) committees. Guidelines are applicable to committee work in general and to community involvement in identifying and discussing local problems, determining community needs, setting goals, identifying available resources, securing adequate leadership, and…

This manual provides a step-by-step methodology for promoting community participation in improving learning in local schools. The Civic Engagement for Education Reform in Central America (CERCA) School Report Card (SRC) approach empowers local school communities to gather information on the quality and conditions of teaching and learning in their…

This book presents hands-on information on how to plan, administer, and analyze opinion polls. Guidance is also offered on how to make this strategy accessible to public interest groups. Several examples, checklists, warnings of possible pitfalls, and lists of material and human resources occur throughout the chapters. Major sections address the…

The purpose of this guidebook is to help elected leaders of small towns and communities stretch their investments when matching funds are required to compete for a grant or to pay for development costs above the grant award itself. The federal "small cities" Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is used as an example throughout the…

"Engaging Residents to Improve Results for Children and Youth, Families and Communities" is a "Toolkit" that is the product of an international working group composed of delegates from six participating nations--Chile, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2002, the working group set out…

A study was conducted to determine the extent to which the community colleges' community-based mission has been understood and accepted and to assess the impact of this educational philosophy on local communities. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) explore the extent to which the community-based mission is reflected in the literature on the…

This guidebook is one in the Target Topic Series developed to highlight issues and concerns related to effective community education operation. It is intended for the community educator and community education advisory council member who want to assure themselves that their community education program is truly meeting community needs. The material…

Of potential interest to small towns in rural areas, this report describes England's first attempt at applying to a rural area the concept of a multi-agency information and advice center based on a library. The comprehensive review covers all phases of the project: (1) identification of a community's information and advice needs; (2) consultation…