2022 Highlights
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RCA held the first in-person Rural Pitch Competition during Global Entrepreneurship Week. The competition took place virtually in 2020 and 2021.
2021 Highlights
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RCA launched two key programs: Afterschool Initiative and Cybersecurity training program.
2020 Highlights
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The Representing Rural podcast was launched in August 2020. RCA held its first Rural Pitch Competition in November 2020.
2019 Highlights
![Arkansas State Capitol building.](https://thenewrural.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ScreenShot2020-09-21at4.51.16PM-1024x723.png)
The inaugural RCA Youth Day at the Capitol was held in February. Over 250 youth from five rural school districts traveled to Little Rock for a policy and engagement learning journey. They were able to interact with legislators, sit in on legislative committee meetings, Senate and House meetings and learn about how bills become laws.
2018 Highlights
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The Parent Mentor Program was launched in Eudora. The initial group of six parents/grandparents were placed in Eudora Elementary in February 2018. Originating in Chicago by the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, the Parent Mentor Program serves as an avenue to effectively engage parents inside of schools.
2017 Highlights
![RCA youth from Earle, Marianna, Rose Bud, Dermott, Hughes, Paron, Deer, Mt. Judea, and Valley Springs participate in Youth Day at the Capitol.](https://thenewrural.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ScreenShot2020-09-21at5.35.43PM-1024x632.png)
The RCA Youth Network was reactivated. With its Advisory Board leading, youth held activities in each region of the state to connect their peers to RCA’s mission.
2016 Highlights
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Led by Lavina Grandon, a rural economic development conference was produced with 40 participants. For two days, members ventured through the North Central region to learn of ways creative economy and rural innovation had lifted communities.
2015 Highlights
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RCA champions a bill to provide a waiver from Act 60 consolidation, the culmination of more than ten years of efforts to keep the issue in the forefront of governors’ and legislators’ minds. RCA opens an office in Little Rock. RCA becomes charter member of Rural Schools Collaborative with membership extending through mid-west and southern […]
2014 Highlights
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Delta Highways, a regional revitalization network in southeast Arkansas launches. Leslie become first chapter to host RCA annual conference. RCA membership reaches 1,800. RCA advocates for schools improving internet access through fiber optic cable. RCA forms 65th chapter. First annual Step Up for Public Schools walk and education advocacy campaign. President Lavina Grandon named as […]
2013 Highlights
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RCA successfully champions a new law to allow school districts to turn back to the community school buildings left abandoned by consolidation. Also helps promote passage of joint use of facilities by schools and communities. Joins Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Through King Foundation, develops four parent engagement models.