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"TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY
OF RURAL LIFE "
WHEREAS, Arizona has eight counties
with poverty rates of 20% or above, an increase
of 166% between 1980 and 1990 census.
WHEREAS, Arizona has, according to
the 1990 census, over 40% minority population,
of which two thirds are Hispanic or American Indian,
and more than 1 in 5 children in Arizona live
in poverty.
WHEREAS, Arizonans have a per-capita
income of $13,461 per annum, and in rural Apache,
Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Navajo,
Pinal and Yuma Counties per-capita income is less
than $11,000, and rural counties have an average
poverty rate of 23% compared to a rate of 13%
for urban counties.
WHEREAS, Arizona ranks #2 in the United
States for housing units which lack either complete
plumbing or a complete kitchen, and the vast majority
of these sub-standard dwellings are located in
rural areas.We, the Rural People and Human Service
Agencies, respectfully suggest this
CONTRACT WITH RURAL ARIZONA
IN ORDER TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR RURAL RESIDENTS
AND INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING SERVICES,
WE PROPOSE THAT THE FOLLOWING PRIORITIES BE CONSIDERED
AS AREAS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO RURAL ARIZONA.
Presented by: John David Arnold, Ph.D., this
9th Day of May, 1995.
PRIORITY : RURAL HOUSING
PROVIDE ADEQUATE & AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
TO FAMILIES LIVING IN RURAL AREAS, PARTICULARLY
MIGRANT FARMWORKERS.
PRIORITY : ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
& MICROBUSINESS
FUND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN AND MINORITY-OWNED
BUSINESSES. LINK STATE PROGRAMS TO CREDIT PACKAGES.
LINK STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS WITH
NON-PROFIT, COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCIES TO ENHANCE
SELF-EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS AND JOB CREATION.
PRIORITY : DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
ESTABLISH & MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
FOR DISABLED ADULTS IN RURAL ARIZONA, INCLUDING
ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY-BASED
RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS, PARTICULARLY FOR AMERICAN
INDIANS.
PRIORITY : EDUCATION / JOB TRAINING
CONTINUE COMMITMENTS TO RURAL EDUCATION INCLUDING
COMPREHENSIVE ONE STOP VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTERS,
CHARTER SCHOOLS, THE SCHOOL TO WORK PROGRAM AND,
MOST IMPORTANTLY, JOB PLACEMENT.
PRIORITY : RURAL HEALTH
INVEST IN COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CLINICS, FUND
PROGRAMS TO PREVENT TEEN PREGNANCY, PESTICIDE
SAFETY AND OTHER RURAL HEALTH CONCERNS.
PRIORITY : BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
FUND PROGRAMS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO A RURAL ARIZONA
WHICH IS CLEAN AND FREE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE,
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND GANG ACTIVITY.
PRIORITY : HUMAN SERVICES
TARGET STATE HUMAN & SOCIAL SERVICE RESOURCES
TO ASSIST THE RURAL DISADVANTAGED TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
PARTNERING WITH NON- PROFIT, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
ENSURES SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES FOR ALL THE ABOVE
PRIORITIES.
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