The Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) at Mississippi State University aims to stimulate the creation of new partnerships to enhance rural communities' capacity to address key health issues. In 1997, SRDC hosted a conference to develop the following: partnerships among land-grant universities, the health sector, and local citizens and…

These lesson plans are designed to help fifth- through eighth-grade students learn about recycling, and to help them understand that recycling is one important environmental action citizens can take. The lesson plans are composed of objectives, homework assignments, main activities, and enrichment activities. (DB)

This paper provides an overview and critique of a team taught, senior level, interdisciplinary college course entitled "AIDS: Challenges and Crises." The details of the course and its underlying rationale are outlined. The paper concludes with a curriculum proposal rooted in the idea of critical education for citizenship. Those who teach political…

A hearing was held for the purpose of receiving testimony concerning the Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1990. The first panel provided testimony about: (1) the delivery of human services in northern Iowa that are funded through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the need for continued block grant funding; (2) CSBG funding of…

This report analyzes the problems of black males in Prince George's County (Maryland) and makes recommendations for improvement in the schools and the community. Inadequate funding, lack of a multicultural curriculum, and a shortage of African American role models were identified as the major school factors that place young black males at risk.…

Designed to provide background information and assistance to educators developing arson prevention programs in the schools, this report reviews existing programs and recent research on juvenile firesetting. Following an introduction, information is divided into four sections. Section 1 emphasizes curiosity and emotional disturbances as underlying…

During World War II Arizona's Mexican-American communities organized their own patriotic activities and worked, in spite of racism, to support the war effort. In Phoenix the Lenadores del Mundo, an active fraternal society, began this effort by sponsoring a festival in January 1942. Such "mutualistas" provided an essential support system…

This document contains two case studies of adult education programs in Chile. Both case studies begin with a "face sheet" on which is recorded basic information about the program and the description. The first case study, prepared by Patricio Donoso, reports on Centro El Canelo de Nos, an inservice center for educators who work with…

The ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) Rural Adult Education Project was conceived in the spirit of empowering local people to help themselves. This book, a distillation of the experience of the project, was written with the primary object of being of practical use to those who are already involved, or would like to become involved,…

Kentucky's SOS (Sharing Our Selves) Learning Networks are community-owned, volunteer-run, informal learning/development programs incorporating community needs and the skills/knowledge/experience of individuals regardless of academic credentials. The Cooperative Extension Service administers the programs. Interested community members list subjects…

Developed to increase public awareness of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, this guide provides information and suggestions for improving the quality of life in the Bay area. Contents include background information and a "what can you do" section on separate topics related to: (1) resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed; (2) streambank…

This handbook provides practical materials for public officials, professionals, and citizens who are implementing citizen participation programs in rural areas. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the process of designing and implementing participation programs. Chapter 2 discusses identifying citizen participation needs and necessary…

Designed to be a guide for community action, this booklet examines issues and trends related to groundwater contamination. Basic concepts about groundwater and information about problems affecting it are covered under the categories of (1) what is groundwater? (2) availability and depletion; (3) quality and contamination; (4) public health…

Addressed to churches and child caregivers, this policy report seeks to describe in layman's language the reasons for the liability insurance crisis confronting child care providers. It defines insurance terms, shows how the industry sets insurance policies and rates, and describes policies currently being written for child care programs by…

Today, after nearly 100 years of pressure toward consolidation, communities which have resisted consolidation for the last generation are finally getting some support. Some of this support comes from simple facts and figures. There is strong evidence that centralized schools are expensive, remote from the communities they are supposed to serve,…