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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Employment and unemployment

Federal Plan for Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience for Social, Behavioral, and Community Health
Details an approach for federal agencies to cooperatively strengthen the conditions necessary to improve individual and community resilience and well-being nationwide. Designed to guide long-term investment using the Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being Framework. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Unemployment Rates are Again at Pre-Pandemic Levels in Rural Counties, Still Higher in Persistently Poor Urban Counties
Chart comparing unemployment rates in rural and urban persistent poverty and non-persistent poverty counties from July 2019-October 2021. Uses data from the USDA Economic Research Service, 2015 County Typology Codes, and data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics program.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Risk Factors for Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Arkansas 2022
Provides state, region, and county-level data for Arkansas related to substance abuse by youth. Identifies risk factors associated with drug and alcohol abuse, such as the number of arrests, unemployment, school infractions, and more, as well as associated public health outcomes.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, UA Little Rock MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training
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Planning a Reentry Program: A Toolkit for Tribal Communities
Toolkit provides information and guidance for developing a reentry program for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are transitioning from the criminal justice system to civilian life. Highlights evidence-based practices for reentry programs, including partnerships to connect returning citizens to housing, job training and placement, and medical, mental health, and/or substance use treatment, among other services.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Bureau of Justice Assistance, Center for Court Innovation, Community Justice & Safety For All, U.S. Department of Justice
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Delta Regional Labor Market and Workforce Report
Reports on issues related to economic distress and inequality in the Delta Region. Identifies promising workforce training practices such as providing mobile training units to rural residents who lack transportation, offering new apprenticeship programs in targeted fields, and creating collaborations between private employers and local governments. Discusses strategies to address disparities such as lack of childcare, poor health, and minority status, among others, that make it difficult for the Delta population to obtain and keep jobs. Includes information about the healthcare industry in the Delta Region.
Author(s): Allison Forbes, Erik Pages, Gabe Moss, et al.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, Delta Regional Authority, Delta Workforce Program, Entreworks Consulting
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Data from the 2017 – 2018 National Agricultural Workers Survey
Summarizes demographic and healthcare data from Findings from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) 2017-2018: A Demographic and Employment Profile of United States Farmworkers. Presents information on the health of migratory and seasonal agricultural workers, including demographics, employment and housing, access to healthcare, and utilization of need-based programs.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Farmworker Health
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Household Experiences in Rural America During the Delta Variant Outbreak
Examines the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural U.S. households. Covers financial, education, childcare, health and healthcare, and employment and work-related impacts related to the pandemic.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, National Public Radio, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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The Impact of COVID-19 on People with Disabilities
Examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities. Covers access to healthcare and direct care workers, congregate care settings and transition, education, employment, effective communication, and mental health and suicide prevention services. Identifies challenges to rural residents throughout, including access to broadband in rural areas. Offers policy recommendations to federal and state policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Disability
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Improving Outcomes for American Indian/Alaska Native People Returning to the Community from Incarceration: A Resource Guide for Service Providers
Seeks to improve outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native populations returning to their communities and families after incarceration by sharing information, research, program examples, and other resources addressing various topics including culturally responsive programs, violence, housing, substance use, mental health, education, employment, and more. Also shares special considerations for service providers working with children and families, youth, and women.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Native Americans, HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Impact of USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Rural and Urban Economies in the Aftermath of the Great Recession
Reports on the effects of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit spending on employment, output, and household incomes between 2009-2014. Describes the different impacts of SNAP benefit outlays on urban and rural economies.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Stephen Vogel, Cristina Miller, Katherine Ralston
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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