U.S Department of Health & Human Services
Health Resources & Services Administration

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HRSA Funds Rural Assistance Center as Clearinghouse for Rural Information

 
October 4, 2002 Contact: HRSA Press Office
301-443-3376

The Health Resources and Services Administration today announced an award of $600,000 to the University of North Dakota’s Center for Rural Health in Grand Forks to establish a Rural Assistance Center.   The RAC will serve as a resource for rural residents and anyone seeking information about health policy and social services for rural communities.

Guided by a recommendation made in the HHS Rural Task Force Report released this summer, the RAC will serve as a single point of entry to the 225 HHS programs serving rural areas.  RAC information specialists will help customers find the best HHS funding opportunities and other resources for their communities.

The RAC will also:

  • make referrals to federal and state agencies;
  • conduct Internet and database searches, examine research literature on rural topics; and
  • provide publications, maintain a Web site and staff a toll-free phone line.

Funded through a cooperative agreement with HRSA’s Office of Rural Health Policy (http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/), the RAC will receive input on customer needs from the HHS Rural Task Force.