April 17, 2020
COVID-19 survey seeks to assess community challenges, highlight successes
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts
- Survey topics: local government, leadership, crisis management, economic impact, small businesses, workforce, virtual communication, health-related infrastructure
- Survey available throughApril 24 at: https://bit.ly/COVIDCommunitySvy
- Arkansas communities invited to participate; results to be shared via Facebook
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LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is surveying Arkansas communities about their major challenges facing their communities and how communities are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 Community Survey explores topics such as local government, leadership, crisis management, economic impact, small businesses, workforce, virtual communication and health-related infrastructure. The survey also asks what resources, information or services are needed from the Cooperative Extension Service to help communities as they continue to respond to the evolving crisis and plan for the future.
The survey is available through April 24 at https://bit.ly/COVIDCommunitySvy. All Arkansas communities are invited to participate.
Emily Smith, program associate at the Cooperative Extension Service, helped develop the survey and encourages community members to participate.
“The rapidly changing nature of COVID-19 may make it difficult for communities to regularly assess their evolving needs. This survey offers a space for them to express their concern, communicate what they need, and share their stories,” Smith said.
While assessing community needs is crucial, the survey also seeks to capture stories of resiliency — activities such as organizing mutual networks, hand-sewing masks and planning caravan birthday parties — that cultivate support and demonstrate unity.
“Communities have demonstrated impressive problem-solving skills over the past few months to ensure their residents are supported and connected,” Smith said. “We want to amplify these stories via social media, blog posts and case studies to honor these accomplishments and learn from one another.”
The final question of the survey asks community members to identify resources that can help them plan for future success and resiliency.
Learn more about the survey results and work the Cooperative Extension Service is doing on this topic by following our community, professional and economic development Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UACommunityDevelopment/.
For more information about the survey, contact Smith at elsmith@uada.edu or 501-671-6325.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media contact:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu