Rural Conversations VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 1, 2012

INSIDE THIS The New Rural Health and ISSUE: Economic Development Advisory Council Rural Health Care 2 Advisory Council to in food production and natural Judge John Thompson; Rural Communities– 3 resources. Improving rural Raymondville Mayor Orlando Jacksboro, Texas Improve Quality Of Life communities will benefit the state’s Correa; Uvalde City overall economy and quality of life.” Councilman Jay Carnes; Rural Grant Sources and Health Care in Rural 4 Childress City Manager Texas Rural 5 Texas— According to state law, Texas Bryan Tucker; Sul Ross Internship Program Lt. Governor University Director of AUSTIN 11/30/2011 — In and House Speaker Joe Straus Nursing Education Program/ an effort to enhance the Southern Rural 5 have appointed State Senator Instructor Donna Kuenstler; quality of life in rural Texas, Development Craig Estes and State Advocacy and Communications Agriculture Commissioner Center Representative Chuck Hopson Director Don McBeath of the Todd Staples announced the respectively. Texas Organization of Rural SHSU - Community- 6 formation of a nine-member and Community Based Planning: Texas Rural Health and Hospitals; and Brady Crockett, Texas Economic Development Community Development Advisory Council. The Community 7 Director Kathi council is tasked with Development Masonheimer. Institute identifying rural policy priorities and reviewing The council’s Rural Rural Events 7 the effectiveness of Policy Plan will include existing rural programs. The council also is strategic initiatives for economic and community responsible for development; rural health developing a Rural Mason County Courthouse care improvements; and Policy Plan to be recommendations for the use submitted to the Texas “Addressing rural and allocation of Community Legislature on or “Addressing rural Texas Development Block Grant before Dec. 1, 2012. health needs requires strong Texas health funding, which is used to local leadership and encourage private investment needs requires "Rural Texas is a collaboration across multiple strong partner in stakeholders within rural in rural communities. strong local creating jobs, communities,” said Sen. Craig advancing technology Estes. The council will create a leadership and and improving health subcommittee called the Rural “I am honored to be a part of Health Task Force, which will collaboration care services and careers,” Commissioner this advisory council and look look for ways to expand and forward to working with this improve access to health care across multiple Staples said. “While only 12 percent of our group to do what is best for in rural areas, and offer stakeholders population calls the rural Texas,” said Rep. Chuck recommendations for rural areas home, 100 Hopson. legislation and program within rural percent of Texans development or revision. In addition to Sen. Estes and enjoy the benefits that communities.” Rep. Hopson, the council is occur in these areas rich comprised of: Polk County PAGE 2 Rural Health Care Opportunities for including increased access health care improvements. to quality health care. Coordination It appears through the In November 2011, establishment of these two In June 2011 President Agriculture Commissioner councils at the federal and Barak Obama established Todd Staples announced the state level that there is the White House Rural formation of a nine-member significant activism for Council to address Texas Rural Health and rural health care. With the challenges in Rural Economic Development significant number of issues America. A key objective to Advisory Council. The that rural residents face help the Council perform its Texas Council’s Rural regarding access to and three core functions is to Policy Plan will include quality of health care, this focus on quality of life, strategic initiatives for rural action is well needed.

Additionally, rural economic especially until well after the include: the State Office of development is closely tied to budget battle, as it is certain to Rural Health (SORH), Texas rural health care improvements. add cost to the Medicare Organization of Rural For every physician added to a program. Its certainty to pass is Community Hospitals rural community, approximately up in the air given the fiscal (TORCH), Texas Rural Health $1.5 million is added in annual sentiment of Congress. Association (TRHA), Texas total revenue and 23 jobs are H.R.3212 is also pending in a Association of Rural Health Fewer rural created annually. – Doug committee and passage seems Clinics (TARHC), Area Health McKalip White House senior unlikely. Because it adds cost Education Centers (AHECs), representatives policy advisor for rural affairs to the CAH program, the bill is universities including Texas in direct conflict to a growing A&M School of Rural Public will not only Recently in October two bills sentiment in Congress to limit Health and Texas Tech were filed in Congress that are the growth of the CAH University F. Marie Hall mean lesser of great interest to Texas rural program, as well as eliminate Institute for Rural and hospitals and other providers. the CAH designation of Community Health, the support for rural At the top of the list is Senate hospitals that are within 10 to National Rural Health Bill 1680 – the Craig Thomas 15 miles of another hospital. Association (NRHA), and the health care Rural Hospital and Provider Federal Office of Rural Health Equity Act of 2011 filed by To exacerbate this situation, Policy. legislation but U.S. Senator Kent Conrad of Texas’ political redistricting North Dakota. Another bill will intensify the struggle to These entities should be, if not also more recently filed is H.R.3212 – improve rural health care already, engaged and the Critical Access Hospitals collaborating with each other, difficulty in quality and access in the state. (CAH) Designation Waiver Fewer rural representatives will with other health entities, with overcoming Authority Act of 2011 by U.S. not only mean lesser support the public, and with policy Representative Mac for rural health care legislation makers to ensure rural health threats to rural Thornberry from Texas. but also more difficulty in care issues are being made For information on these bills overcoming threats to rural apparent and emphasizing the health care see the Texas Rural Health health care policy. current seriousness and future Association Newsletter. consequences of not addressing policy. While individual engagement rural health care policy. The future of these bills and in the process of educating our Collaboration on this scale is of rural health care in Texas elected officials can be very an impressive force that in looks grim, however. powerful, there are numerous coordination with the newly S.B.1680 has been assigned to agencies, organizations and established councils has the a committee but has not programs currently engaged potential to have positive moved. This bill will probably and tuned into rural health care impacts for rural health care in remain on hold for some time, policy conversations. These Texas.

RURAL CONVERSATIONS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 PAGE 3 Rural Communities - Jacksboro, Texas Communication & Cooperation high school drop out rate?” The Local entrepreneur and owner of company was also interested in PE Designs, Phyllis Maxey Joyce Howze—Grant Roundup land availability for new housing Elenburg said, “The EDC has really jumpstarted Jacksboro, Texas is setting everything. In my opinion the pace for rural we are really coming development, as local together.” leaders and stakeholders “A serious line of are committed to making Critical issues in Jacksboro a community community and communication that commands attention. economic development In efforts to enhance face almost every and cooperation business retention and rural community in expansion and improve among all the The New Depot in Jacksboro Texas. When folks with a quality of life for their citizens common goal and courage stakeholders must and visitors, Jacksboro leaders development. unite, great things can be established have developed a sound, forward happen. We need to take a -thinking strategic plan. Realizing something had to good look at communities and priorities change if Jacksboro was going to like Jacksboro that are “One person, no The impetus for attract industry, a few concerned addressing those issues. set.” this strategic plan citizens united and hammered matter how great came during a visit out a strategic plan. Getting a 4B a leader, cannot by a new industry sales tax started allowed the city considering a move to establish the Jacksboro change the way to town, and the Economic Development questions this things have been Corporation (JEDC) and hire company had for Lynda Pack as executive done. It takes community leaders. director. Through private In the past, such donations and JEDC funds in many people companies may place, an aggressive willing to wear have been attracted revitalization of downtown was to Jacksboro undertaken. Within a year, 50 many different because of tax new jobs were created. A school credits, abatements, hats.” bond passed public vote after the no-interest loans, second try. and the city’s ability to provide infrastructure. However, this new industry had a much different focus: the schools. Among the Don’t forget about the 2012 company’s questions Texas Rural Challenge! were, “What are your schools like?”, “What recreational facilities June 13 & 14, 2012 and activities do the schools offer?”, “What The New Jacksboro High School San Marcos, Texas are the assessment scores of the students?”, and “What is the PAGE 4 Rural Grant Sources Places to Look for Grants Description of Grants Listed

Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations A nonprofit organization looking to support, strengthen and keep nonprofit communities together by offering a variety of tools through funding and programs. Southern Rural Development Center This center provides a bimonthly newsletter with updates about numerous regional and national funding opportunities. Side of a building on State Office of Rural Health The SORH site lists grant opportunities that are dedicated to serving the health needs of those in the square in rural Texas. Hamilton, Texas Texas Department of Agriculture This site lists a variety of programs and funds to Grants and Services help enhance farms, rural business development , help establish permanent jobs, and the production of agriculture. Rural Assistance Center This center lists a variety of different rural grant programs and contains a database which can be searched by type, sponsor, and topic. Health Resources and Services Administration HRSA makes grants to organizations to improve and expand health care services for underserved people. One focus area is rural health. Grants.gov Grants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal grants. “Applying for

grants is like Cheryl L Hudec, Associate With these issues in mind, we appear again, and this time Director – Center for have provided a list of sites you’ll be ready. (above) that the Center visits fishing. You have to Rural Studies often to search for rural- TIP: Don’t forget about private focused grants. grant sources. There are have the right bait Unfortunately there is no one- foundation databases out there stop-shop when it comes to Here are some tips that I like that can be utilized for regular and fish many searching for grants. Often I to keep in mind when searches. Find one and use it. come across the perfect grant searching. different ponds at opportunity, only to find I am TIP: Don’t wait for them to either too late or have only a TIP: If the site offers a come to you. While it may the same time” few days to write a proposal. regular newsletter or email seem impossible, try to set updates, it may be a good aside some regular time to -Victoria Constance, I have learned that I have to idea to sign up, as these often search for funding Vision Bridge continuously be tuned in to provide the most recent and opportunities. the various grant databases upcoming funding opportunities Consulting, LLC and lists available on the and lessens the need to TIP: Create a list of most world wide web. I also continuously check the site. promising sources and search understand that with a limited these as regularly as possible. staff who have numerous TIP: Agencies often put calls other duties and tasks, it is out at the same time every TIP: Use the buddy system. A extremely difficult to find year (if funding is available). good way to keep up with all time to search for future Even if you miss a deadline, of the opportunities and funding. put it on you calendar for deadlines is to keep in touch next year. It is likely to with your network of people that can help “keep an eye out

RURAL CONVERSATIONS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 PAGE 5 Texas Rural Internship Program

Texas Department of Agriculture Seeks Communities to Participate in Rural Internship Program

The Texas Department ambassadors for of Agriculture is “I realized that in rural Texas. seeking proposals from communities interested rural communities Through the in participating in the there are a handful internship Texas Rural Internship program, TDA Program. The program of people who hold works with the introduces urban college Center for Rural many different students to rural Texas Studies at Sam by inviting them to live positions and State and work in a small University and 2011 Texas Rural Interns: community for four to statuses but all Texas Tech Kamesha Walker, eight weeks during the work together to University to summer. facilitate the pairing of Giddings and Kayla Clark, Snyder. make a positive students with prospective The Texas Rural communities. Communities impact in the Internship Program, are responsible for assigning provides much-needed community.” a local coordinator to work To view presentations from last interaction between with a host family to year’s interns click here. Kamesha Walker, urban and rural Texas, provide room and board for promotes rural Texas to 2011 Rural Intern students. Click here for more information attract and retain a Any rural Texas and to request an application. talented workforce, community willing to host a college helps develop some of today's student intern for one or two talented college students into summer sessions is eligible. tomorrow's leaders, and cultivates Southern Rural Development Center Regional Resource for Rural The goals of the SRDC are to: development policy reports Stimulate the formation of multi- Build partnerships that link the Development Activities state research teams South's land-grant university Coordinate the development and system with other key entities The Southern Rural Development revision of educational materials committed to rural development Center (SRDC), one of our nation’s and maintain a centralized activities in the region four Regional Rural Development repository of educational Centers, works with land-grant resources We encourage you to visit the institutions, public universities, and Organize and deliver high priority SRDC’s website. There you will other key entities to address the rural development research and find publications on rural and critical rural development needs of educational workshops/ community development topics, as people and places in the rural South. conferences well as educational curricula and Provide leadership for the information on upcoming trainings preparation of science-based rural and events. PAGE 6 Rural Community Development Community-Based Throughout the month of up to hold a community- November, members of the wide meeting in Crockett, Planning— Mary Allen Museum of Art Texas to share their Crockett, Texas and History were gearing mission, progress, and future plans with the public. The meeting was held on Members of the Mary December 1, 2011 and there Allen Museum discuss were approximately 20 various events, people in attendance activities, and tasks representing cities, for the organization. historical commissions, non -profit organizations, universities, the state representative, Joe Barton’s office, and even a Crockett high school student.

The meeting was a website which not only On Sunday February 26, the considered a grand success. provides information on the Museum will be holding a There was extensive Mary Allen Museum but statewide event and discussion regarding also allows for donations to fundraiser in honor of “By much slothfulness possibilities for the be made electronically; museum; some ideas that digital archiving of National Black History the building decayeth, had never been considered interviews from Mary Allen Month. To find out more before. There was great College Alumni; and information visit the and through idleness support for the erection of a researching other African website or contact the sign saying “The Future American Museums and the organization. of the hands the house Site of the Mary Allen local demographics and Museum of Art and needs that the Museum droppeth through.” History”, and one might meet. Ecclesiastes individual offered to donate money toward that cause. The combination 10:18 Six of the attendees of these activities that volunteered to serve on the build organizational Advisory Board for the and individual Museum. Following the meeting there was capacity and the expression of the need for integration with additional community-wide the local community Jean Shepherd, President of meetings across the region and region aim to bring the Mary Allen Museum in other communities which multiple resources together organization, leads the is a venture that will be to promote the progress of discussed in upcoming community-wide meeting in this great project: the board meetings. Crockett, Texas ultimate restoration of the Along with the regular Mary Allen College fundraisers there are several building and transformation For a background of this other activities that the into the Mary Allen project, see the Center’s organization has taken on in Museum of African previous newsletter. recent months. These American Art and History. include the development of

RURAL CONVERSATIONS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 PAGE 7 Texas Community Development Institute For more information March 5 – 9 , 2012 Since the program’s inception, CDI approaches hundreds of community leaders community and to register: Texas Community Development from throughout the country, development as LoneStar.edu/cdi Institute (CDI) is designed to train many from Texas, have both a process and community development participated in the program. a program. It seeks to develop an professionals and volunteers in the individual’s ability to identify techniques of modern leadership and The comprehensive program community problems, set goals, management of economic growth curriculum is designed to meet encourage liaison with outside efforts. the increasing challenges facing agencies, stimulate community community developers in today’s interaction, and bring groups together Texas CDI is part of a national changing society and is to support competitive economic network of institutes endorsed by the applicable for community leaders development, human resource Community Development Council from towns and cities of all sizes. development and quality of life issues. (CDC). Rural Events Who What When Where Texas Association of Essential Grant Skills Feb. 1-2 Houston Non-Profits in Texas Texas Association of Effective Grant Writing Feb. 7 Austin Non-Profits in Texas Texas Economic Development Council Webinar Business Retention Feb. 8 Online & Expansion Eagle Ford Consortium Creating a Sustainable Pathway Mar. 1-2 San Antonio

Texas Community Development Institute Community Development Institute Mar. 5-9 The Woodlands

Texas Leadership Institute Administering Local Hotel Occupancy Mar. 6 Bastrop Tax and Spending Tax Dollars Wisely Texas Leadership Institute Developing an Historic Mar. 7 Waco Preservation Program Texas Leadership Institute Developing Successful Mar. 20 Beeville Festivals and Events Texas Leadership Institute Public Finance for Cities, Counties & Mar. 21 Bastrop Special Districts Texas Leadership Institute Business Assessment Matrix (BAM): 17 Mar. 22 Paris Keys to Your Business Success Texas Association of Social Media for Nonprofits – Should Mar. 29 Denison Non-Profits in Texas You Get On The Bandwagon? Texas Leadership Institute Grant Writing for Community Leaders Apr. 17 Post

Texas Economic Development Council Spring Basic Economic Apr. 17-20 Rockwall Development Course Texas Leadership Institute Business Assessment Matrix (BAM): 17 Apr. 26 Plainview Keys to Your Business Success

For a calendar of events visit

the Texas Rural Innovators events page at www.ruraltx.org Thank you for taking the time to explore this issue of Rural Conversations. Our hope is that Rural Conversations encourages all of us who hold a passion for rurality to work Sam Houston State University together toward the goal of allowing rural Texas to flourish. Box 2446 Huntsville, Texas 77341-2446 Phone: 936-294-4380 Fax: 936-294-3573 What you can expect next time: an E-mail: [email protected] exploration of the definition of “rural”; a feature on the Texas Rural Foundation; an

The mission of the Center for Rural update on the Community-Based Planning Studies is to assist in the building, Process in Crockett, Texas; and another strengthening, and maintaining of rural rural community success story. Texas communities.

www.shsu.edu/ruralcenter

If you would like to submit something to be published in Rural Conversations, please contact Cheryl L. Hudec, Associate Director of the Center for Rural Studies at [email protected].

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The Texas State University System Board of Regents

Charlie Amato, Chairman David Montagne San Antonio Beaumont Donna N. Williams, Vice Chair Trisha Pollard Arlington Bellaire Dr. Jaime R. Garza Rossanna Salazar San Antonio Austin Kevin J. Lilly William F. Scott Houston Nederland Ron Mitchell Ryan Bridges, Student Regent Horseshoe Bay Huntsville