Researchers and journalists have documented the challenges confronting the nation's rural communities--dwindling populations, few employment opportunities, the opioid crisis, and a lack of public investment. However, there are many rural communities that are surmounting these obstacles and helping their young people build a brighter future. The…

The paper examines issues in the delivery of educational services to behaviorally impaired children and youth in Nebraska. Separate chapters focus on five problem areas, (professionalism, continuum of services within education, continuum of services across community agencies, interagency communication, and attitudes/expectations), each with an…

This booklet is written from the perspective that small towns can survive in changing times with the right leadership. It is intended for use by educators involved with community development or by extension educators. The attitudes and behaviors of leaders are key factors that will help communities cope with change. No longer will a town survive…

Daughter of a chief and educated in two cultures, Marguerite LaFlesche Diddock served as an Indian field matron for the Office of Indian Affairs (OIA) from 1896-1900, providing the women of her Omaha community with an accessible Euro-American domestic role model with ties to the tribal past. Her role in OIA's Americanization attempts often caused…

Interviews with educators and community members in a very small rural Nebraska school district suggested causes for the district's exceptionally high superintendent turnover rate: low salary and status, lack of challenge, use of the position as a stepping stone, declining economy and population, community transition, and the superintendent's…

In three rural Nebraska communities experiencing rising inmigration of Hispanic families, newcomers and long-term residents were interviewed concerning personal financial strain; concerns with community issues such as language barriers and interethnic conflict; nutritional habits; and access to health care, education and training, and social…

Every 2 or 3 years, the City of Gering, Nebraska surveys the local community to get citizens' reactions regarding utility rates, public services, professional services, local amenities, housing, business climate, and community improvements. In November 1992, questionnaires were mailed to 3,065 residents, asking them to rate elements of the city on…

An in-depth study of five successful rural Nebraska communities with populations ranging from 450 to 6,000 was undertaken to determine why some rural communities are coping with fundamental restructuring while others seem to have surrendered to the current agricultural economic crisis. Background information was gathered on each community, and…

In an effort to gather citizens' opinions on utility rates, public service, local amenities, housing, the business climate, and community improvements, the City of Scottsbluff, Nebraska conducted a survey in December 1993. Questionnaires were mailed to 6,313 community residents, asking them to rate elements of the City on a scale of 1…

Examines 3 stabilizing principles of small town organization that are intertwined with the survival of local schools: (1) centripetalism (inwardly focused community involvement); (2) inclusiveness of local associations and activities; and (3) distinctive identity. Discusses the effects of state pro-consolidation policies on rural economic…

Over a period of 4 months in early 1994, Voices for Children investigated low-income children's access to 15 benefits for which they might be eligible. Of those benefits, six were further analyzed to determine how many eligible low-income children were actually receiving them. Counties were grouped by population size to determine if differences…

In 1988, IBP, the world's largest meat processing firm, announced it would open a beefpacking plant in Lexington, Nebraska. This was part of the latest wave of meatpacking restructuring which moved plants away from urban centers and union strongholds to rural communities. This paper examines community changes accompanying the opening of a large…

An experience-based career education project for high school students was developed and evaluated. The career explorations program, which met ten hours per week for one semester, was designed to provide new and different career oriented learning experiences for students, to involve more of the community in providing these experiences, and to…

Between 1992 and 1996 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) settled a number of legal cases involving housing authorities and agreed to take remedial action as part of court-enforced consent decrees entered into with plaintiffs. These housing authorities faced significant obstacles that impaired their ability to comply swiftly…

TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR AN ADEQUATE PROGRAM OF EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT IN A COUNTY REGARDED AS HAVING DEEPLY RURAL ROOTS, QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES WERE ANALYZED FROM SIX GROUPS OF RESPONDENTS--(1) PRESENT SENIORS ATTENDING THE COUNTY'S FIVE PUBLIC AND PAROCHIAL HIGH SCHOOLS (228 OR 96 PERCENT RESPONSE), (2) 1959 AND 1960 GRADUATES OF PUBLIC AND…