Rural Communities

Featured Resource

Rural Communities Initiative

Given the continued scale of poverty and limited job opportunities in rural areas, the Office of Family Assistance implemented the Rural Communities Initiative in early 2008. The Initiative provided States, Tribes, and local TANF agencies the opportunity to share information and innovative...

Peer TA Resources

See All

Rural Mobile Technology and Distance Learning

Webinar / Webcast

The Office of Family Assistance began the Rural Communities Initiative in 2008, and many rural areas expressed an interest in learning more about how to utilize technology in their TANF programs and in their communities. This Webinar included presentations from Ms. Mary Campanola, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development, Telecommunications Program; Ms. Sheryl Rehberg, Executive Director, North Florida Workforce Development Board; and Mr. Stan Brodka, Director of Sales,...

Rural Communities Initiative: Implementing Strategies for Employer Engagement

Report

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) hosted the Rural Communities Initiative Implementing Strategies for Employer Engagement Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky January 28-29, 2010. Six rural communities, as a component of ongoing technical assistance, attended to discuss promising practices and develop reasonable local action steps on the topics of employer outreach, subsidized employment, job placement and retention, and workforce intermediaries. The rural sites were introduced to the...

Rural Communities Initiative Academy: Final Report

Report

The Rural Communities Academy was the "kick off" event for the 16 selected rural sites and included time for each rural site team (consisting of four/five team members) to participate in information gathering, networking, and action planning. The team members who attended the Academy participated in workshops and plenary sessions, and met with Rural Content Specialists and representatives from other rural communities who shared their insight into strategies being utilized in rural areas with...

Partner Resources

See All

Culturally Responsive Relationship Education for Rural Communities

Research-To-Practice Brief

The chronic stressors faced by low-income rural families – including unemployment, low wage markets, lack of access to health care and nutritious food, substance abuse, and relative isolation – are issues that culturally responsive healthy marriage and relationship education can help to alleviate. This brief explores the challenges of delivering healthy marriage and relationship education in rural communities and the strategies that one program, Gateway Community Services Organization in the...

“Not very many options for the people who are working here:” Rural Housing Challenges Through the Lens of Two New England Communities

Research-To-Practice Brief

This national issue brief, from the University of New Hampshire Casey School of Public Policy, highlights findings from examining housing challenges in several New England regions through interviews and focus groups. While discussing the effects of affordable housing options, the federal safety net, and the impact of second home owners in tourist economies, the report also provides policy and practice opportunities for the local, state, and federal government.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)/AmeriCorps Teleconference

Report

This Teleconference took place on November 18, 2008 as part of a follow-up to the Rural Communities Academy that occurred in September 2008. Many participants expressed some interest in learning more about how to utilize AmeriCorps volunteers in their program, as well as in their community. This teleconference includes five presentations on how to utilize AmeriCorps in rural programs as well as a question and answer session.