https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/children-and-youth Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Children and youth - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/13/2026-20867/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-to-omb-for-review-and-approval-public-comment Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Healthy Start Evaluation and Quality Improvement, OMB No. 0915-0338—Revision." Proposed revisions include changes to clarifying instructions, updating response options to improve accuracy in reporting, and adding fields to capture the month of infant birth and/or death. Comments are due by November 12, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/39083 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-launches-nest-program-support-mothers-newborns.html The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit in West Virginia. The program aims to offer families supplies and information in the days following delivery of a baby. One goal of the program is to reach rural and other medically underserved families. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/39084 Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/press-releases/miechv-2026-awards Announces awarded funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program which offers home visiting services for improved outcomes during pregnancy and early childhood. Notes that the program reaches families where services are more limited, including in rural communities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/39060 Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2026/10/governor-ivey-announces-additional-alabama-rural-health-transformation-program-grants-totaling-nearly-55-million/ Announces new awarded funding in Alabama from the Rural Health Transformation Program. Initiatives include maternal and fetal health, emergency medical services for stroke response and treat-in-place services, simulation training, cancer screening and treatment, equipment upgrades, and workforce pipeline projects. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/39051 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.news9.com/health-matters-tset/rural-oklahoma-hospitals-nicu-care-newborns More neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have opened across Oklahoma, increasing access for rural families across the state. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/39005 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://news.etsu.edu/articles/building-tomorrows-rural-healthcare-workforce Highlights a healthcare career exploration event for rural middle school students in Tennessee. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38979 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://dailyyonder.com/rural-career-opportunities-exist-advisers-in-missouri-are-proving-it-to-their-students/2026/09/08/ Describes an industry tours program for rural high school advisers in Missouri aiming to support them in adding similar tours for their rural students. Notes the improved employment outcomes for students and employers that participate in similar programs. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38957 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-awards-380-million-988-suicide-prevention-behavioral-health.html Announces awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a variety of behavioral health treatment, prevention, and crisis response programs across over 20 funding opportunities. Includes funding for suicide prevention and response in tribal communities, community-based systems of care for tribal youth, emergency medical services for behavioral health crises in rural areas, and training and technical assistance for rural opioid and stimulant use. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38961 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/28/2026-17545/submission-for-office-of-management-and-budget-review-national-and-state-survey-of-child-and Notice from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) seeking comments on a data collection related to a new cohort of children and families for the National and State Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSSCAW). NSSCAW will provide state and national estimates on the well-being, experiences, and service needs and receipt of children and families involved with the child welfare system. Comments are due by September 28, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38924 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.vcuhealth.org/news/how-hospital-based-summer-camps-can-build-a-pipeline-for-the-rural-healthcare-workforce/ Describes summer camps for middle and high school students in Virginia to explore healthcare career paths with the goal of addressing workforce shortages in rural communities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38906 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/18/2026-16826/tribal-consultation-meeting 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 September 16, 2026, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38890 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500