Community & Economic Development Program Builder

This program helps watershed residents--people bound together by the flow of their ditches, streams, rivers, and lakes--to develop local policies and programs that lead to enhanced agricultural productivity, improvements in water quality, increased recreational opportunities, and other benefits.

Series of educational meetings aimed to enhance civic understanding and leadership skills of newly arrived immigrants to Iowa. New residents plan the program’s content and program is delivered in participants’ native language with translation to English. Opens a dialogue between new residents and established community leaders, helps participants connect with other new residents and gain knowledge and confidence to take part in community, school and government activities.

keywords:  Latino, Hispanic, immigrant

Field Specialists are available for consulting, technical assistance, tailored training, planning, and organizational development services.

Topics and issues include economic development, local government, community planning, tourism, grant writing, nonprofit management, Latino community and business development, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and housing.

Products available include:

• Strategic Planning or Organizational Goal--Setting Establish an organizational or community vision and set priorities by engaging key stakeholders in a structured process.
• Consultation and Technical Assistance-- Specialists work directly with an organization on a problem or issue to provide advice, research, information, and assistance in developing solutions.
• Board Development-- Training boards of directors to understand their roles and responsibilities in the governance of organizations.
•  Training Sessions --A variety of tailored training can include professional development presentations, team-building, or one-time workshops on special topics of interest.

• Facilitation--Group processes and tools are used to help organizations resolve conflicts, organize new community groups, develop partnerships and collaborations, enhance community participation, or strengthen existing group structures.

   

Features of this program include networking and a connection to local issues and opportunities, group or individual work around a real project if they choose, and a strong emphasis on personal skills development.

keywords:  leadership, community, volunteer, management

This program will facilitate the development of a State certified Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF). It will result in the creation of a collaboration to address the local affordable housing needs of a particular geographical area. Interested parties will be assisted in receiving state certification and applying for funds from the Iowa State Housing Trust Fund, administered by the Iowa Finance Authority. The LHTF is a financial tool used to procure and distribute funds for the creation and/or preservation of affordable housing in a designated area.

Provides career-enhancing workshops to equip nonprofit professionals with skills to more effectively manage their organizations or specific programs. Workshop topics have included financial management, governance and leadership, diversity issues, technology management, effective supervision, etc. Continuing education units and certification available.

keywords:  staff development