Co-authors Lee and Peters collaborated across 2019-2021 on a community-engaged project with Carclew's ExpressWay Arts. They ask, when your creative practice is premised on relationship building, belonging and care, how do you step away from projects responsibly, meaningfully and carefully? This article explores how establishing rituals of closure…

The First Impressions program was designed to help communities learn about their strengths and shortcomings through the "fresh eyes" of first-time visitors. This Extension-led community assessment program has been implemented in over 500 communities since the 1990s, yet scant literature exists regarding the program's theoretical…

Given the importance of the early childhood years, innovations to improve programs and services for this age range are vital, particularly for the marginalized populations in society.

These "Stories From the Field" describe five Wallace-funded programs working to expand learning and enrichment for disadvantaged children, so they can benefit from the types of opportunities their wealthier counterparts have access to, from homework help to swimming classes. The report details each program's approach, successes and…

This packet contains descriptions of a variety of campaigns conducted by agencies for organizations or clients, or directly by the organizations. They were selected for their broad range of purposes and methodologies. The packet contains descriptions of the following campaigns: a campaign designed to build the economy of Orlando, Florida; a…

The impact of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is usually understood in relation to schools and districts, but the legislation has also affected community-based organizations that operate school-linked programs. This case study of an after-school program in California demonstrates how educational accountability systems that emphasize students' academic…

The article describes the county's efforts to promote flouridation and improve the general dental health of its citizens, especially those in the rural areas. It describes the development, philosophy, and growing popularity of Project SMILE, a preventive dental program largely funded by Appalachian Regional Commission grants. (SB)

This report summarizes the results of the start-up phase of the Chilliwack Community Services Child Care Support Program, which tests ways of improving accessibility, quality, and accountability in British Columbian child care programs in which licenses are not required (LNR). Twenty-seven Child Care Support Programs in British Columbia completed…

In response to a state budget deficit, the University of Minnesota Extension restructured its field staff, establishing a new regional and county delivery system, shifting all supervision of field staff to campus faculty, and encouraging greater field staff specialization, program focus, and entrepreneurial efforts. Nine economic concepts and…

A project created linkages in Service Delivery Area 12, Clermont and Warren Counties, Ohio, to improve services for welfare recipients. During the project, the original grant seed money of $22,000 grew to more than $220,000 in grants for cooperative programs. In addition, integral, completed linkage treaties were forged between various agencies…

This article describes service outcomes for people with disabilities, achieved by local Oregon communities during the past five years as they have implemented a community capacity building model called the Community Transition Team Model. Principles of successful programs included active participation of diverse stakeholders, change viewed as a…

The Richland County (Ohio) Welfare Coordination Project had three main goals: (1) to examine the roles, functions, and allowable service activities of each of four agencies involved in adult education, training, and job placement efforts; (2) to develop a systematic approach to the selection of service providers for clients; and (3) to develop…

This report on the Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR) and related programs under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act aims to assist in consideration of improvements to Medicaid services. The report begins with a background description of the key Medicaid programs of interest, discussing: federal involvement…

In the present climate of public accountability, there is increasing demand to show "what works" and what return is gained for the public from investments to improve communities. This increasing demand for accountability is being met with growing confidence in the field of philanthropy during the past 10 years that the impact or effectiveness of…

This paper presents a five-year plan for the improvement of Pennsylvania's system of services for people with mental retardation and their families. It was developed over an 18-month period by 70 people, including people with disabilities, family members, advocates, providers of service, legislative staff, and county and state government…