Rural Project Examples Addressing Schools - Rural Health Information Hub

Helping Kids PROSPER
Updated/reviewed January 2023

Need: An approach to support sustained, quality delivery of evidence-based programs for youth and families in rural communities.
Intervention: PROSPER, a program delivery system, guides communities in implementing evidence-based programs that build youth competencies, improve family functioning, and prevent risky behaviors, particularly substance use.
Results: Youth in PROSPER communities reported delayed initiation of a variety of substances, lower levels of other behavioral problems, and improvements in family functioning and other life skills.

keepin' it REAL Rural
Updated/reviewed March 2022

Need: A drug and alcohol prevention program for middle school students that is specific to rural culture.
Intervention: An adaptation of the evidence-based keepin' it REAL curriculum was customized for rural middle school students.
Results: Students showed a reduction in all substance use and less personal acceptability of substance use.

Healthy Early Learning Project (HELP)
Updated/reviewed August 2022

Need: An ongoing health need to alleviate early childhood obesity in the rural Kansas counties of Marshall and Nemaha.
Intervention: 5 distinct physical and nutritional programs were introduced to 9 preschool sites through the overarching Healthy Early Learning Project (HELP).
Results: HELP comprehensively increased children's physical activity and healthy food consumption and established a sustainable presence at each preschool site.

Schools That Care
Updated/reviewed August 2022

Need: To provide mental health services to rural Kansas students and their families.
Intervention: The Schools That Care project provides mental health treatment and case management as well as community education events.
Results: From 2018 to 2021, 3,456 individuals participated in health education and counseling activities offered to the public, and 964 individuals and 303 families received direct services through the Family Advocate.

School-Based Health Center Dental Outreach
Updated/reviewed July 2020

Need: To improve the oral health status of children ages 3 to 17 living in underserved rural areas of Louisiana.
Intervention: School-based nurse practitioners perform oral health assessments, apply fluoride varnishes when indicated, and make dental referrals, with completion rates of the latter tracked by dental case managers.
Results: Significant numbers of school children are receiving oral health examinations, fluoride varnish applications, and receiving care coordination to improve numbers of completed dental appointments.

Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital School Nurse Program
Updated/reviewed April 2019

Need: School nurses to assess and care for students in rural Michigan schools who have limited access to healthcare.
Intervention: Munson Healthcare Charlevoix, a CAH in Northern Michigan, created the School Nurse Program to provide medical care and education to students, school staff, and families.
Results: The School Nurse Program brings healthcare to over 3,400 students in 8 schools every year and chronic absenteeism in participating schools has dramatically decreased.

From CATCH to C.H.E.F.
Updated/reviewed January 2019

Need: To help children and families in Lincoln, rural Benton, and east Linn counties achieve higher-quality lives free of preventable diseases related to poor nutrition and obesity.
Intervention: Two programs were applied on a local level to provide physical activity, nutrition, and culinary education in a school and community setting.
Results: The physical activity rate surpassed the Department of Health and Human Services recommended rate by 5%, and schools started serving healthier options in their cafeterias.

The Walking Classroom
Updated/reviewed March 2023

Need: To increase students' levels of physical activity, engagement in learning, and academic achievement.
Intervention: With The Walking Classroom, students take a brisk walk as a group while listening to a kid-friendly, custom-written educational podcast that aligns with the curriculum.
Results: Children increase their activity level while learning academic content, building health literacy, and developing healthy lifestyle habits to prevent obesity and improve cognitive function and retention.

It's a Girl Thing: Making Proud Choices
Updated/reviewed February 2023

Need: Teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, in young girls were concerns for members of Union Parish, Louisiana.
Intervention: Union General Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital, created the program It's a Girl Thing: Making Proud Choices to teach prevention, self-confidence, and personal responsibility to teen girls.
Results: Teen pregnancy rates in Union Parish have dropped by 18%, exceeding the program's initial goal of 5%. Graduation rates have also increased the longer girls remain in the program.

Jana's Campaign: Love Doesn't Hurt
Updated/reviewed February 2023

Need: Prevention and education programs for schools to reduce gender and relationship violence among teenagers.
Intervention: Jana's Campaign offers school-based trainings, presentations, projects, and consultations through Love Doesn't Hurt: Teen Gender Violence and Prevention Program.
Results: So far, 648 middle and high schools and more than 86,280 students in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, and Oklahoma have benefited from the program.

Rural Project Examples: Schools