Rural Schools and Health – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
May 16, 2024 - Texas A&M University-Kingsville's Institute for Rural Mental Health Initiatives is providing training to school personnel in rural counties on what signs to look for and how to report a concern with a student's behavior. The initiative will also assist school counselors and teachers in helping students handle grief and loss.
Source: KRIS 6 News
May 13, 2024 - Describes a collaborative program between University of Colorado Boulder researchers and the Cuba, New Mexico Independent School District. Students, teachers, and stakeholders from neighboring rural communities and Navajo Nation chapters participate in an annual six-week summer program. Past sessions have focused on topics such as mental health needs and healthy food access.
Source: University of Colorado Boulder School of Education
Apr 30, 2024 - Summarizes the proceedings of the Alaska Association of Student Government Spring Conference, held in the remote community of Utqiagvik. Highlights student resolutions, including support for Naloxone training and increased mental health resources in rural schools.
Source: The Arctic Sounder
FNS: Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Federal Register
Apr 25, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) finalizing long-term school nutrition requirements based on the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, stakeholder input, and lessons learned from prior rulemaking. Among other things, this rule phases in added sugars limits for the school lunch and breakfast programs and in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, implements a single sodium reduction in the school lunch and breakfast programs, and establishes long-term milk and whole grain requirements for school meals. Program operators will not be required to make changes to their menus until school year 2025-2026 at the earliest. This rule is effective July 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 10, 2024 - Discusses mental healthcare access for children in Michigan schools, noting that workforce shortages most impact rural areas. Discusses funding, recruitment and retention, and training.
Source: The Mining Journal
Apr 10, 2024 - Discusses the need for mental health services in schools and how states around the country have used Medicaid reimbursement to fund those services. Notes recent policy changes that have made this possible and highlights challenges that remain in using Medicaid reimbursement, particularly for rural school districts.
Source: The Commonwealth Fund
Mar 29, 2024 - Announces new provisions giving Head Start programs additional flexibility to serve children in tribal communities and children of farmworkers. Tribally-run Head Start programs can enroll children regardless of family income, and any child who has one or more family member engaged in agricultural employment is now eligible for Head Start.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Last Updated: 5/17/2024