Specialized EnglishCase Illustration of the Problem-Solving Strategy in Community Development La Colonia

Problem-Solving System

AnnotationPUD (Public Utilities District) CAA (Community Action Agency)CDW( Community Development Worker)

Problem-Solving Strategy

Phase l: Recognition of a Problem and Establishment of the Need for Change La Colonia is lack of a stable potable water system but the Town don' t want to connect La Colonia to its water system under mutually tolerable conditions.

.Phase 2: Iformation Gathering (a) the ability and willingnessof La Colonia's residents to pay their share of the water system development costs, hookup cost, and monthly water bills; (b) grant requirements for state and federal communitydevelopment funds;(c) the direct costs to the Town beyond La Colonia's costs and the stateand federal grants for expanding the water system to serve La Colonia; (d) potential supportsystems in the Town and county;(e) procedures for placing the item on the Town Council's agenda.

Phase 3: Assessment and Development of a Thency for Change La Colonia could petition for a property owner's incorporation vote and, if it passed, obtain water as an incorporated area of the Town. The Town could alter its policy against providing water to areas not incorporated into the Town. As La Colonia was the client system, its preferences directed the change strategy to alter the Town's policy.

Phase4: Intervention and the Change EffortThe intervention and change effort based on the case theory called for a combination of technical assistance to the Town, social action,and political persuasion and support.

Phase 5: Evaluation and Termination of the Change EffortThe system was obtained. However, evaluationof the community development goals is more complex. Has the community increased itsability to continue its development?