The Center for Public Collaboration (CPC) was established in September 2005 in response to a need in Arkansas for information and assistance in creating collaborative solutions for public issues. A wide range of policy goals require partnerships across agencies and organizations. Moreover, stakeholder input from policy design through implementation is believed to result in policies and regulations that are more workable and are supported by those who are most affected. Our primary mission, then, is to assist Arkansas leaders, citizens, and organizations in developing inclusive discourse and effective collaborations on public issues.
Our Center joins over 80 other university centers across the United States that support collaborative governance–the use of collaborative approaches to public policy-making, regulation, and administration. Solutions to many public issues require collaboration among multiple stakeholders. Effective collaboration requires knowledge and skills in collaborative processes and a neutral forum or space in which the stakeholders can come together. The CPC provides training, technical assistance, and a neutral space to bring community members together in non-adversarial forums where potentially divisive public issues can be explored constructively.
Who We Serve
We work primarily with state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, stakeholder groups, neighborhood and community-based organizations, and other public-serving organizations to develop consensus-based solutions to complex and sensitive public problems. In addition, we serve the people of Arkansas directly through participation in public forums on public policy issues and through applied research aimed at building stronger and more cohesive neighborhoods and communities.
Issues We Address
Drawing on the expert staff and resources of the Institute of Government, we provide expertise on multiple policy issues, including but not limited to:
- Community development: Community and neighborhood development, regional development, land use policy, housing, and technology
- Environment: Natural resource and water management
- Public services and infrastructure: Public safety and emergency management, financial administration, and transportation and utilities.
- Human services: Aging and senior services, health care, nutrition and child welfare
- Social relations: Family policy and sexuality, racial and ethnic attitudes and disparities, and gender disparities
In addition, we draw on the faculty and staff expertise at UA Little Rock to address a range of other public issues to suit the needs of our clients.
Staff
As a unit of UA Little Rock’s School of Public Affairs, the Center for Public Collaboration shares faculty and staff with the School. If you are interested collaborating with the Center on a project, send an email with a brief description of your project to publicaffairs@ualr.edu.
