Cynthia Flynn
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
4210 N. Campbell
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 626-5161, (520) 626-5849 fax

Beth Tucker
Coconino County Cooperataive Extension
2304 N. 3rd St.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004-3605
(928) 774-1868, (928) 774-1680 fax

Juanita O’Campo Waits
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
4341 E. Broadway Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807
(602) 470-8086, ext. 331, (602) 470-8092 fax

Barry Bequette
Yuman County Cooperative Extension
2200 W. 28th St., Suite 102
Yuma, AZ 85364-6928
(928) 726-3904, (928) 726-8472 fax

Never before has community development been so important yet Extension resources so scarce. Many states including Arizona are facing this crisis. Arizona’s Community Vitality Initiative provides a model to build capacity to support systems change to fill the gaps in Extension to build meaningful community partnerships that result in effective programs. This model targets Extension professionals, who recognize the power of community development approaches, and trains them in the mastery of community development strategies to mobilize community action.

The CVI model outcomes include: 1) Development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivation and supportive practices necessary to utilize community development processes in Extension programming; 2) Use knowledge, skills, attitudes and motivation for positive community involvement of Arizona residents; 3) Integrate community development into Extension based programming by identifying community based action teams that will be supported with further training and mentoring; 4) Provide a network of support for Extension professionals and partners.

This workshop will introduce the CVI model and team process. The workshop will share tools that determine:

• System readiness
• Professional development needs
• Targeted training modules
• A customized tool kit
• A logic model

This interactive workshop will reveal incentives for action at the community level, to encourage replication and new approaches for professionals. Insights will be shared to replicate a professional capacity building model. The result of the Arizona CVI model is that community development has become a successful statewide initiative.

PowerPoint Presentation (PDF format, 613 kb)