Category: Rural Resources

  • When Driving Through a Rural Area, Do You Think “How Far is the Local Hospital”?

    When Driving Through a Rural Area, Do You Think “How Far is the Local Hospital”?

    As a lifelong rural resident, I think about the proximity of my home and my work to a local hospital. Actually, I always think about my proximity to a Level I hospital when traveling in a rural area or visiting a relative.

    Many rural sections of our Texas interstates are located far from a Level I hospital. This means that when I am traveling to another location in Texas, I have to be very careful to practice defensive driving because I do not want to end up in a situation when I have to be transported to a high level hospital from a rural area.

    As a result, I looked forward to this live session from the Texas Tribune for weeks. This panel highlighted the perils that many of our rural residents encounter everyday. In many of our rural Texas counties, you cannot deliver a baby in a hospital, because there is not a labor and delivery unit. Also, some of our rural counties like Shelby County, TX, do not have a rural hospital any longer.

    Which part of the video stands out to you? 

    Thanks for visiting! 

    Sincerely,

    Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
    Professor of Communication

    Executive Director of the Texas Social Media Research Institute & Rural Communication Institute

    ***

    Check out my book – Retaining College Students Using Technology: A Guidebook for Student Affairs and Academic Affairs Professionals.

    Remember to order copies for your team as well!

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  • Have You Seen the Rural America Placemaking Toolkit?

    Have You Seen the Rural America Placemaking Toolkit?

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Rural Development and the University of Kentucky’s Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky unveiled a free digital toolkit to help rural leaders build placemaking plans in small towns and communities across America. 

    If you are located in (or serve) a rural area and you are are looking for a free digital toolkit filled with amazing resources, please 

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the University of Kentucky’s – Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky just debuted their “Rural America Placemaking Toolkit“.

    This toolkit is absolutely dynamic and I encourage academic and practitioners to utilize this amazing guide. It includes:

    Creative Community Conversations

    Community & Cultural Assessments

    Public Spaces & Gathering Places

    Cross-Sector Partnerships

    Also, if you have a rural project that you would like to be considered for the toolkit, you can submit it here.

    *The Rural Communication Institute actually plans to do this soon.

    Think about sending this guide to a local mayor, commissioner, teacher, health worker, volunteer, etc.

    It is an absolutely incredible resource.

    Sincerely,

    Dr. Jennifer Edwards

    ***


    Professor of Communication

    Executive Director of the Texas Social Media Research Institute & Rural Communication Institute

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