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Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Health
News by Topic: Children and youth

May 12, 2026 - Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposing to remove requirements from the Head Start Program Performance Standards to restore local flexibility to Head Start programs and improve access to quality services. Specifically, this NPRM proposes to remove requirements related to wages and benefits that the Administration believes are not in line with the plain language of the Head Start Act. Comments are due by June 11, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
May 12, 2026 - A University of Michigan study reports that the link between neighborhood disadvantage and cigarette use appears only in rural areas. Researchers said the pattern suggests weaker tobacco control policies and more permissive smoking norms in rural communities.
Source: Medical Xpress
May 11, 2026 - The Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, formerly known as East Tennessee Children's Hospital, is expanding pediatric care, particularly in rural communities. The hospital serves about 20 counties in the region, and its new pediatric residency program will begin in summer 2027.
Source: Knox News
May 6, 2026 - The American College of Surgeons has created or participated in programs and courses to help surgical teams eliminate disparities in care for underserved and rural communities. These include the Rural Trauma Team Development Course, the Prehospital Blood Transfusion Coalition, and the Emergency Medical Services for Children program.
Source: American College of Surgeons
May 4, 2026 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking comments on a proposed information collection project titled "National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) 2027-2029." Information collected through the NYTS is used to identify trends in youth tobacco use over time, and to inform the development of public education campaigns, policies and rules, and compliance and enforcement programs for tobacco products. Comments are due by July 6, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 29, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for States to use to determine the income eligibility of applicants to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These guidelines are applicable July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 29, 2026 - Describes rural disparities in suicide rates and work one rural Utah community is doing to connect residents and students in crisis with mental health care and resources.
Source: Fox 13
Apr 22, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted levels of monthly benefits in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) Program. These benefit levels are applicable January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 20, 2026 - Describes the role a summer meal program plays in ensuring food access for rural Alaskan children in communities with no dedicated food banks. Notes that applications for eligible children is now open.
Source: Alaska Public Media
Apr 15, 2026 - Notice from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announcing a Tribal Consultation session between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ACF Office of Head Start (OHS) and the leadership of tribal governments operating Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The purpose of this consultation session is to discuss ways to better meet the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) children and their families, taking into consideration funding allocations, distribution formulas, and other issues affecting the delivery of Head Start services in their geographic locations. The meeting will be held on June 18, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Pacific in Costa Mesa, California.
Source: Federal Register