Theoretically, increasing family resilience, may contribute to an increase the resilience of communities. However families in South Africa experience challenges to their resilience, often owing to a variety of historic, socio-economic, and political factors. Research and intervention planning that attempts to ameliorate the effects these factors,…

Many communities are searching for ways to help youth identify successful career options and strengthen the local economy. Based in a rural community that reflects Maine's decline in jobs in manufacturing and natural resource-based industries, the project described here provided youth with an opportunity to increase their aspirations by…

The purpose of this paper is to provide an alternative operationalization of amenities that does not privilege certain kinds of natural resources and climatic conditions and that can be used for assessing the quality of life in small towns. The amenity inventory presented here extends previous literature by including a broad range of amenities…

A screening program at rural and urban Mississippi sites to determine developmental disabilities in young children (birth to 3 years) was carried out by community volunteers who had been trained to administer the Steps-Up screening instrument. Of 244 infants and young children who were screened within a 9 month interval, 76 children were…

A pilot project in rural Mississippi provided supported employment services to five handicapped persons. The project combined professional resources available through a community-based developmental disabilities program with existing community resources and social network systems. Project components, project development, and individual client…

Offers guidelines for planning fund raising events for small public libraries, with examples of activities that have been used successfully. Areas discussed include involving librarians and trustees as fund raisers; group discussion activities to encourage brainstorming; developing strategies based on community resources; and capital fund drive…

A model to serve rural (Kentucky) mentally retarded adults age 50 and over incorporates generic community resources such as residential, nutritional, medical, recreational, and transportation services with age appropriate activities and programs. The system is intended to provide an alternative to the life-long work setting of the workshop or work…

Describes the economic and demographic changes experienced by rural communities over the past few years and how they have increased rural health professionals' responsibilities. Presents the Community Wellness program and four case histories illustrating how it has strengthened community infrastructure, developed human capital, and created rural…

Focuses on some of the problems faced by human service workers in rural communities and suggests the use of an outreach child advocacy model (with a nine-step diagnosis procedure) for intervention. The rural advocate will be more successful and acceptable to the community using a collaborative approach. (Author/LC)

This paper examines the organization, planning, development, and staging of foot races, bicycle races, or multi-event competitions as fund raisers for public or private groups in rural areas. Local businesses often assist in sponsoring such events in order to get free advertising and make money from newcomers drawn to the event. Organizers must be…

Suggests strategies for reviving small rural communities. Discusses community development meetings, developing effective leadership, and involving youth and women. Discusses importance of development programs, effective media, good educational systems, and other community institutions. Emphasizes important role of local youth programs, schools,…

This study identified easily available nonprofessional resources for screening and identifying individuals with disabilities in India's rural areas, evaluated the efficacy of the resources, and identified community resources to facilitate long-term social self-management of individuals with disabilities. National Service Scheme volunteers from two…

In 1981, Jackson County, North Carolina, appeared on the first list of "distressed counties" in Appalachia. Since then, the rural county has made significant improvements by investing in its physical infrastructure (which also promotes tourism); fostering economic-development partnerships among governments, small businesses, and local…

Description of public libraries that are combined and housed with school libraries focuses on successful library combinations in Canada and Australia. Topics discussed include community needs; cost factors; staffing and administrative issues; cataloging differences; location considerations; services offered; funding; and advantages for rural…

The viability of rural communities is threatened by social change, particularly changes in values that have traditionally sustained small towns. For community leaders to successfully manage change and community development, they must communicate effectively, encourage community involvement, and efficiently manage available resources. Provides…