Community Development

University of Missouri Extension helps people create communities of the future. Community development education helps citizens tap into local strengths and University resources.

Community Development is divided into five major themes:

I. Community Leadership Development

EXCEL, an Experience in Community Enterprise and Leadership, builds community leadership capacity. What distinguishes EXCEL from other approaches to leadership development is its high degree of flexibility, local control, inclusiveness, and focus on the future of community governance.

Step Up to Leadership! builds the capacity of community-minded people who are wanting to make a difference; willing to assume the responsibilities of board membership; seeking understanding about group processes and the complexities of collaboration; and ready to take on the challenge of leadership.

The following printed publications are available to order:
Facilitator's guide
Participant's manual

II. Community Decision Making

Community decision support enhances local capacity to make sound policy choices. Rapid changes in technology, economic and social patterns require a greater depth of analysis and understanding if local decision makers are to make sound policy choices. Tools include economic models, demographic analysis, Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping, fiscal impact tools, and local government support.

CECH-UP (Citizen Education Clearing House) provides middle school students with the opportunity to learn with local government officials about local government, study and make recommendations on local issues, and take action on local issues facing communities.

Missouri Poll Worker Training (need description)

Missouri Communities Deliberate assists communities in building their knowledge about and engaging difficult public issues through dialogue. The process helps to mitigate conflict, polarization and stalemates which commonly result over issues where there are no optimal solutions and, which require public input.

III. Economic Viability

Community Enterprise and Entreprenuerial Development (CEED) is a cross-disciplinary program to stimulate entrepreneurial communities and foster a climate of entrepreneurship locally, regionally and statewide. It comprises a fresh approach in particular to rural community revitalization through a special partnership between the University of Missouri Extension and the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) and its focus on place-based development.

Food Circles Networking Project is creating an infrastructure to create the community-based food systems that help farm families produce food for local markets; connect farmers and consumers directly; encourage community-based processing and distribution; and encourage the consumption of locally grown food.

IV Building Inclusive Communities

The Community Development Academy provides high quality relevant community development education through a series of three courses. Each five-day course is intensive, experiential, available for noncredit (continuing education units) or for three hours undergraduate or graduate credit. The courses explore ideas and develop practical skills for effectively involving and empowering local citizens and leaders in community-based efforts.

Strengthening Community Non-Profit Organizations supports small, community-based groups and nonprofits and they develop their capacity to address important community issues. The program assists groups on a range of development topics including incorporation, planning, collaboration, financial management, marketing, and others.

Alianzas engages people and organizations in developing understanding of the language and culture of Missouri's Latino population.

V. Community Emergency Preparedness

The Community Emergency Management Program provides education and technical assistance to individual and families, local governments, businesses, schools and organizations in preparing and responding to disasters.

Community Development contact:
Mary Simon Leuci, LeuciM@missouri.edu
Community Development Program Director

Updated Tuesday June 12 2007