Health and Human Services Information for Rural America RHC Technical Assistance Call May 13, 2008 Kristine Sande, MBA RAC Program Director 1

What Is An Information Portal? Helps rural communities access full range of available programs, funding, and research Gathers and streamlines information from many sources and provides easy access to it 2

In partnership with: 3

ALL FREE! RAC Services Web-Based Services Electronic Updates http://www.raconline.org Electronic Updates Subscribe on our website Customized Assistance Phone: 1.800.270.1898 E-mail: info@raconline.org ALL FREE! 4

Who Uses RAC Services? Anyone seeking to maintain and improve the access, quality, and financial viability of rural health and human service delivery systems. 5

R A C W E B S I T E 6

RAC Funding Summaries Program website URL Sponsor Include: Program website URL Sponsor Purpose of the program Eligibility requirements Geographic coverage Amount of funding available Details about the application process Contact info 7

Information Guides 8

News & Events Daily Federal Register updates Press Releases Other media coverage of rural issues Upcoming events of interest to rural stakeholders 9

Experts and Organizations Major national organizations related to rural health and human services All Federal agencies with a national interest in rural health and human services State Offices of Rural Health State-based or region-based agencies The Directory of Rural Health Contacts 10

Publications & Maps Key rural publications Rural Health Research Center publications State rural health publications Key rural publications from last 30 days RAC Document Search RAC publications archive RAC Maps 11

Electronic Publications Rural Monitor newsletter Primary Distribution: over 5,000 Health Updates Bi-Monthly Over 4,000 subscribers Human Services Updates Monthly Over 3,200 subscribers 12

RAC Maps View and copy national maps on rural health and human services topics Customize maps in CIRC Internet Maproom 13

Search by topic or state Success Stories Each success story provides: List of subjects covered States served Description of project Services offered Results Contacts Search by topic or state 14

State Resources 15

Am I Rural? Custom report tells whether a location is considered rural based on various definitions of rural 16

Am I Rural? Common Rural Definitions Used: Rural Urban Commuting Areas (RUCAs), by ZIP code and Census tract Core Based Statistical Areas Rural Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Urban Influence Codes (UICs) Program-Related Definitions Used: CMS Rural Health Clinics status CMS Medicare Telemedicine Reimbursement ORHP Grant Programs 17

RAC Resource Database Search 4,600 documents including: Tools (1,200+) Rural health research center reports SRHA and SORH newsletters Federal & state government publications Foundation reports and briefs Tools (1,200+) Funding (200+ active) Organizations (1,800+) Events (600+) 18

Customized Assistance Personalized assistance from Information Specialists with subject expertise, backed up by: The resources and staff of the Center for Rural Health and RUPRI The expertise of our funder, the Office of Rural Health Policy Other ORHP TA Centers & Rural Health Research Centers Wide network of federal, state, and association contacts 19

Customized Assistance What RAC Can Do to Help… Develop customized list of potential funding sources Locate statistics, data sources and maps Find print and electronic documents Connect users to organizations, experts, and colleagues Locate the right federal or state contact 20

Contact RAC Phone 1-800-270-1898 FAX 1-800-270-1913 Email info@raconline.org Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Central Web site: http://www.raconline.org 21