Highlights the role of State Offices of Rural Health in assisting Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and rural hospitals to access and utilize federal funding made available through the American Rescue Plan. Notes challenges for planning and implementing funding awards and tracking the use of funds, particularly for RHCs with limited resources.

Describes efforts to provide crisis mental health services in rural areas, noting mental healthcare provider shortages in rural areas and the flexibility of small police departments and sheriffs' offices to support or provide alternatives to typical law enforcement response to mental health-related calls. Discusses telehealth options to connect individuals with a counselor and highlights innovative crisis service programs in South Dakota and Iowa.

Announces funding available through the School-Based Mental Health Services program and the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant program to increase access to mental health services for students and young people, funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations. Intended to help with recruiting, preparing, hiring, and training highly qualified school-based mental health providers, including in underserved and rural communities.

Describes cybersecurity risks and challenges facing rural hospitals, highlighting ways to reinforce security. Notes federal resources and initiatives aimed at managing risk for healthcare organizations.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) is seeking applications to become Healthy People 2030 Champions. Selected organizations will be recognized for their work toward achieving Healthy People 2030 goals to advance the health and well-being of people in the United States. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Announces over $1.6 billion in funding to support addiction and overdose crises through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s State Opioid Response (SOR) and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grant programs and HRSA's rural communities opioid response programs. Offers an overview of the grant programs and the scope of the investments.

Announces the appointment of the Rural Health Redesign Center to provide technical assistance to hospitals interested in becoming an Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). Describes the new REH designation and the role of the REH Technical Assistance Center in supporting hospitals through the transition process. Notes a webinar scheduled for October 12 at 3:00 p.m. to explain the REH and the Technical Assistance Center.

Profile of a rural doctor in West Virginia during the COVID-19 pandemic who experienced a stress-related heart condition that forced her to change her engagement with patients and her community. Describes the dynamics of rural healthcare that contribute to burnout among providers, including vaccine hesitancy and distrust of science, chronic disease, food access, and other health-related disparities in rural West Virginia. (May require a subscription to view the full article.)

Announces the release of 2021 data on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage from the U.S. Census Bureau. Notes no statistically different change in real median household income and the official poverty rate from 2020 to 2021, but notes a 1.4% decrease in the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) rate and a .3% increase in the percentage of people with health insurance coverage from 91.4% to 91.7%. Offers details on other findings from the reports.

Announces a $1 billion increase in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect Program Round 4 Funding to support rural broadband expansion. Describes the ReConnect Program and recent changes to eligibility guidelines, noting an application deadline of November 2, 2022.