Problem Solving, Community Building, and Systems Interaction: An Integrated Practice Model for Community Development

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Abstract
One popular and two less-emphasized processes converge in this paper to form an integrated practice model for community development. The first, problem solving, has historically occupied a prominent position in community development models. The second, community building, is a process that has been described as strengthening horizontal relations. The third, systems interaction, relates to the determination of those parties who play crucial roles in community development. Each process has an appropriate sequence of tasks; when the three processes are pursued simultaneously, they yield an integrated approach. A case study of a rural county dealing with youth substance abuse illustrates how problem solving creates the action in community development, how community building concomitantly assures broad ownership of that action, and how systems interaction lends direction to the action.

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