Rural Health
News by Topic: Schools
USDA: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Federal Register
Jul 26, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision—Increasing Options for Schools." The information collected from state and local education agencies will ensure Community Eligibility Program (CEP) eligibility determinations are verified. The information collected from households will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits to verify eligibility determinations. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 24, 2024 - Details efforts by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to provide rural schools with accurate air quality information. Provides an overview of the health impacts of wildfire smoke, actions individuals can take to reduce exposure during fire season, and how to stay updated on air quality information and alerts.
Source: Montana Free Press
Jul 15, 2024 - Announces recent funding secured by the University of Montana to partner with rural school districts and healthcare facilities to create healthcare pathways to address workforce shortages.
Source: University of Montana
FNS: National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates
Federal Register
Jul 10, 2024 - Announces the annual adjustments to the federal and state funding levels and reimbursement rates for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and the reimbursement rates for institutions participating in the Special Milk Program for Children. Updated rates are effective from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 10, 2024 - Announces funding awarded to the Full Plates Full Potential program in Maine and the Illinois Public Health Institute. The Maine program will help schools overcome the barriers to purchasing Maine-based foods for their school meal programs, and the Illinois grant will support the Lake Michigan Region School Food System, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jul 5, 2024 - Texas's non-congregate summer food program allows students to take free meals to go, instead of eating on site. The initiative is similar to feeding solutions developed by school districts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: San Antonio Report
Jun 24, 2024 - Provides overview of an Oklahoma State University program
that uses a hub-and-spoke model to offer sports medicine
continuing education to trainers and providers in rural and
underserved communities. Notes that 20 sessions were
offered throughout the first year of the program on a wide
range of topics including concussions, mental health, and
joint dislocation.
Source: Oklahoma State University
Jun 5, 2024 - Announces that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will award over $42 million under the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program, $18 million for projects under the Tribal Forest Protection Act, and $2.3 million to support the Indigenous Foods in School Meals programs.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jun 5, 2024 - Describes efforts to secure additional funding for Colorado's Healthy School Meals for All program, which offers free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 students. Notes disproportionately high rates of food insecurity in rural areas, where residents may face transportation barriers to food access. Outlines an additional program which funds the purchasing of local foods for school meals.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jun 5, 2024 - Presents overview of a New York state program that offered reimbursement for school-based telehealth services from 2017 through 2021. Describes the impact of the program on rural students and school districts, and current efforts by legislators to secure additional funding for the program.
Source: New York Focus