The first effort to estimate the impact of Community Resource Development (CRD) programs of the late 1950's and 1960's on the quality of life in Arkansas counties had confusing results. Researchers developed an estimation model to measure the impact of CRD activity on the 1960-1970 and 1960-1980 change in quality of life and used data from CRD records and census and state records for 73 Arkansas counties classified as non-metropolitan in 1960. Quality of life constructs included county socioeconomic status, level of business and manufacturing activity, youth out-migration, school attendance, and education expenditures. While CRD programs generally had little effect on county quality of life, some CRD activity had unexpected results. For example, economic development and job training programs actually increased unemployment and youth out-migration. Although counties emphasizing special Area of Concern Committee activities experienced a small improvement in quality of life, CRD activity did not stimulate broad-based community development. Because of contradictory anecdotal evidence, the results were confusing, indicating possible measurement or data validity problems. The model should have associated specific inputs with specific goals and objectives rather than using a global assessment. Social service outputs should have been examined in greater detail. (SB)