Community Development Disaster Recovery Initiative

The Community Development Disaster Recovery Initiative is a UADA Cooperative Extension program funded through a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Recovery Grant and implemented in partnership with UA Little Rock and the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith. The initiative works to strengthen the capacity of Arkansas communities to prepare for disasters, coordinate recovery efforts, and build long-term community and economic resilience.

Integrating Asset-Based Community Development with Disaster Preparedness, Recovery and Resilience

Through a cohort of Extension agents representing participating counties, the initiative supports community-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, resource identification, and regional collaboration. Using an Asset-Based Community Development approach, participating agents work alongside local leaders, residents, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to identify local strengths, assess needs, establish priorities, and develop actionable plans tailored to each community. Depending on local needs, these plans may focus on disaster preparedness, disaster recovery, or long-term resilience.

The initiative builds on Extension’s statewide presence and its role as a trusted community partner, connecting communities with training, technical assistance, educational resources, and regional partnerships. Through this work, the program aims to strengthen local leadership, improve coordination among community partners, and help Arkansas communities become better prepared to navigate disasters and pursue sustainable recovery.

Participating Counties

The initial cohort includes six Arkansas counties: Baxter, Cross, Jefferson, Phillips, Saline, and Washington. The initiative is exploring opportunities to expand participation to additional counties as community needs and program capacity evolve.