Strengthening Our Rural Communities

A compilation of the most dynamic and exemplary presentations at the 23rd Annual National Institute on Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas, this volume offers a much-needed generalist approach to practice in the rural environment. Preserving and Strengthening defines the issues and crises of surprisingly diverse populations and illustrates the myriad solutions and interventions available to the social work practitioner in the rural context. The book defines the specific needs of the small town and rural populations of the United States and Canada from the familial, societal, economic, agency, and empowerment perspectives ; recognizes the diverse range of cultural and ethnic groups, including African Americans, American Indians, and Canadian First Nations People ; addresses the traditional way of life found in rural communities and offers approaches to enhance it ; and assembles the research and experiences of leading practitioners in the rural environment.

Rural communities across America are working to strengthen their economies, provide better quality of life to residents, and build on assets such as traditional main streets, agricultural and working lands, and natural resources. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), established a Rural Work Group to reinforce these initiatives and ensure that the four agencies' spending, policies, and programs support rural communities' efforts to be economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable. Strengthening federal support for rural communities by coordinating and aligning these programs is a key Partnership goal. In August 2010, the Partnership established a Rural Work Group comprised of staff from HUD, DOT, EPA, and USDA to guide its approach to rural sustainable communities. This book, which summarizes the work group's efforts, explores how the Partnership can contribute to more resilient economies, healthy environments, and quality of life in rural America. It also sets out a framework for the Partnership's future work with rural communities.

Accompanying CD-Rom has same title as book.

Drawing from empirical analyses, case studies, and a synthesis of best practices, this book explores how innovation manifests itself in rural places and how it contributes to entrepreneurial development and resilience. Innovation in rural places may come about as a result of new forms of collaboration; policies that leverage rural assets and address critical service or product gaps; novel strategies for accessing financial capital; infusion of arts into aspects of community life; and cultivation of networks that bridge entrepreneurs, organizations, and institutions. The chapters illustrate how a number of innovation-related characteristics relate to economic vibrancy in rural places such as a strong connection to the arts, adaptive and sustainable use of natural resources, value-chain integrated food systems, robust bridging social capital networks, creative leveraging of technology, and presence of innovation-focused entrepreneurs. Through exploration of these and other topics, this book will provide insights and best practices for rural community and economic development scholars and practitioners seeking to strengthen the rural innovation ecosystem.

Rural communities across America are working to strengthen their economies, provide better quality of life for residents, and build on assets such as traditional main streets, agricultural and working lands, and natural resources. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities-made up of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that the four agencies' spending, policies, and programs support rural communities' efforts to be vibrant, thriving places for current and future generations. This guide to HUD, DOT, EPA, and USDA programs highlights federal resources rural communities can use to promote economic competitiveness, protect healthy environments, and enhance quality of life. It provides key information on funding and technical assistance opportunities available from the four agencies, as well as examples of how rural communities across the country have put these programs into action. Each agency offers different ways of approaching infrastructure planning and construction, economic development, pollution cleanup, and other issues that are part of achieving sustainable communities. Coordinating and leveraging multiple funding and assistance sources can help communities advance their overall visions and goals. While this guide is not exhaustive and the programs listed may change, it provides a menu of options rural communities and small towns can consider when planning and implementing projects. The guide is organized by agency and then by broad topic areas that are similar across agencies.