Community Development Institute

CDI is designed to train community development professionals and volunteers in the techniques of modern leadership and management of community development efforts. Since the program's inception, hundreds of community leaders from throughout the country, many from Texas, have participated in the program.

The comprehensive program curriculum is designed to meet the increasing challenges facing community developers in today's changing society and is applicable for community leaders from towns and cities of all sizes. CDI approaches community development as both a process and a program. It seeks to develop an individual's ability to identify community problems, set goals, encourage liaison with outside agencies, stimulate community interaction, and bring groups together to support competitive economic development, human resource development and quality of life issues.

Organizations, community officials and volunteers associated with city, county and state government, chambers of commerce, private and public sector economic development organizations, utility companies, and financial institutions will find the institute a valuable learning tool for the development of individual and community leadership skills.

Texas Community Development Institute

CDI's Across the Nation

Community Development Council (CDC) is a national nonprofit organization with the mission of improving professional training and practice in community development. The CDC oversees a national network of Community Development Institutes, including sites in Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, and West Virginia. For more information about the CDC and CDI site locations visit http://www.cdcouncil.com/.

PCED Certification

Enhance your career by becoming a Certified Professional Community and Economic Developer. The CDC certifies individuals who demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and abilities as community development professionals. In order to earn the PCED certification, you must first qualify to take the examination through a point process earned through job experience and relevant education and training. Texas CDI will be offering the PCED exam on Monday, July 15th, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m, as well as Monday, October 7th, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Applications are available at http://www.cdcouncil.com/ccd.htm and must be submitted along with the applicable fees a minimum of 30 days prior to the scheduled examination date.

Curriculum

• Principles and Processes of Community Development
• Community Assessments
• Infrastructure Development
• The Basics of Economic Development
• Developing Community Profiles
• Identifying and Working with Stakeholders/Volunteers/Leaders
• Visioning and Strategic Planning
• Teambuilding
• Workforce Training
• Tax Incentives
• Understanding Diversity
• Class Project - New Town

• Trends and Issues in Public Policy
• Financial Resources for Community Development
• Community Entrepreneurship
• Basics of Land Use Planning
• Designing Communities
• Community Asset Mapping
• Benchmarking
• Business Retention and Expansion
• Financial Resources for Development
• Global Business Environment
• Site Selection/Target Markets
• Class Project - Heritage Park

Year Three

• Economic Modeling
• Workforce Development
• Working with the Media
• Managing Change
• Ethics in Community Development
• Community Healthcare
• Tourism
• Conflict Resolution
• Class Project - Best Practices