Exploring the Human Resources/Economic Development Connection Community Choices: Public Policy Education Program Exploring the Human Resources/Economic Development Connection Program Overview 8 March 2000 The Southern Rural Development Center 0.0

The Current Situation Rural America leads the nation in: Families living in poverty. Rate of unemployment/underemployment. Functionally illiterate adults. Only a small segment of rural workforce has a college education or more. These human capital shortfalls can impede economic and social progress in rural areas. Situation is most acute in the South. 0.1

The Current Situation (cont.) Many college-educated rural residents move to urban communities. Brain drain remains significant in rural areas. Essential for the community to explore how its economic future is shaped by its human resource conditions. 0.2

Purposes and Objectives To offer local citizens an opportunity to study and resolve problems in their community using the framework. Four objectives: Introduce the public policy education framework. Strengthen citizens’ understanding of human resource and economic development issues. Mobilize citizens to explore links between human attributes and economic development opportunities. Enhance citizens’ involvement in working on solutions to identified problems. 0.3

Format and Resources Most modules contain: Instructor’s Guide Module Overview Small Group Activities Transparency Masters Background Readings and References 0.4

Table 1. Topics Covered 0.5

Prepared by Lionel J. Beaulieu Southern Rural Development Center Kenneth Bolton Jr. Southeastern Louisiana University March 2000 0.6