Barbara Alvarez started in her role, as the Community development Educator on September 3rd. Barbara has a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied community-based research practices. She has over 13 years of professional community engagement experience. 

In her first 30 days, Barbara reached out to, and met with, or scheduled to meet with organizations and municipalities to start conducting  a Community Needs Assessment. This information will help Barbara determine what resources, educational opportunities, and services she can provide throughout the county to municipalities,  nonprofits, small businesses, and community organizations.

She attended the October Wisconsin Towns Association meeting and shared information about an EMS Model Agreement and Property tax bill explanation example that may be beneficial to local government. She emailed this information out to all 28 municipalities and will be presenting at the January WTA meeting . Barbara connected a Sheboygan County Supervisor  requesting information on solar zoning language and legal challenges related to code based on an article they read, with the author of the article Bill Oemichen. Bill Oemichen is  Extension’s Local Government Education Program attorney that has been working on solar regulation issues in accordance with a U.S. Department of Energy grant. Bill Oemichen is in the process of developing a model on land use ordinances on renewable energy, like solar and wind. The model will help local elected officials define what towns can and cannot do related to renewable energy and understand the legality of solar zoning language. 

Over the next six months, Barbara plans to meet with all 28 municipalities and continue to meet with organizations throughout the county. She is working to develop a communication strategy to share upcoming events, resources, and news with these connections. 

Based on existing and immediate needs determined by meeting with municipalities and community organizations. This role can offer education, training, and support on a variety of topics.