In fall 1983, a telephone survey was conducted by Macomb Community College (MCC) to assess community perceptions of the college's Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) and to aid in developing marketing strategies for the Center. Interviews were conducted with 500 randomly selected Macomb County (Michigan) residents to determine if they had…

Discusses common themes in five papers on rural community psychology: myth that rural life is naturally supportive, importance of community needs in designing prevention programs, risks of labeling diseases, rural psychologists as developers/advocates, using advice/direct suggestion, thinking in systems/ecological terms, role/boundary conflicts,…

Describes study of boomtown characteristics of Park City, Utah, a rural community affected by recreational development since 1970. Finds that residents experienced stresses and social problems similar to those of energy-development boomtowns, including declining quality of life, higher cost of living, and family, social and drug problems. (LFL)

Suggests that rural cummunity psychology focus on preventive interventions instead of traditional service delivery. Discusses special nature of intervention in rural communities, types of preventive interventions, understanding/utilizing community social ecology, and training issues. Advocates greater preparation for rural psychology and greater…

Examines change in attitude toward community and descriptions of neighborhood environments of 217 residents of rural host community for a nuclear power plant. Finds negative attitude change and less positive descriptions of neighborhoods. Discusses implications for community psychology and preventive intervention. (LFL)

Describes evolution of a program to train doctoral level psychologists to provide outreach preventive services to rural communities using a year long practicum including didactic and experiential components. Discusses difficulties of outreach work in small communities, community response, tailoring intervention strategies to needs of specific…

Studies of the amount of money spent by rural counties on General Assistance Programs identified three factors that contributed to the level of county support: the size of the population, local history of response to human needs, and the role of local public welfare and social service administrators. (JHZ)

Developed by a team of strategists to help local school districts in Michigan win school millage elections, this manual details the factors that go into a successful election campaign. The campaign is broken into five phases: building a coalition, surveying and gathering information, developing a campaign theme and campaign plan, identifying and…

The decline of agriculture in the 1920s and 1930s was compounded by the subsequent collapse of the rural social community, leaving the rural poor without a community and thus exacerbating and prolonging their poverty. Present restructuring of agriculture in the United States may have a similar impact on rural communities. (JHZ)

Describes services of the Salvation Army's network of rural local service units. Discusses relationship between local units, community agencies, and regional Service Extension Departments. Provides examples of individuals who received aid coordinated by local volunteers where formal social services were unavailable. Emphasizes Salvation Army's…

The population of older black Americans is a growing, underutilized resource. Research on the status of older black Americans suggests that race is among the major factors influencing economic status and social mobility. Recent census data and projections confirm that to be old and black is a liability rather than an asset. As this population…

Describes application of a preschool education program in an Ortonville, Michigan, school district. The six programs are grouped in the same location, meet a variety of needs, and are part of a larger community cluster. Combining programs benefits both children and adults. (CJH)

Delineates steps involved in developing a solid public relations image in a community college library. Focuses on planning, logo development, and internal and external systems of communication (e.g., signs, displays, informational materials, and speakers' bureaus). (DMM)

Describes Portland Community College's Volunteer Tutoring Program and its role in adult basic education, developmental instruction, home instruction, and supplementary basic skills assistance. Includes information on tutor recruitment and training and tips for volunteer tutors. (DMM)

Assesses the scope of the nation's illiteracy problem. Describes a study of community college libraries' involvement in literacy education. Relates 31 library directors' survey responses regarding illiteracy as a community problem; the nature of college- and community-based literacy programs; and the relationship of libraries to these programs.…