https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/community-engagement-and-volunteerism Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Community engagement and volunteerism - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.naco.org/news/county-offers-leave-ems-volunteers A North Dakota county has changed an employee policy to allow county staff to use leave from work for volunteer ambulance service. The change is intended to increase the pool of emergency medical service (EMS) volunteers. Notes that volunteers are common for staffing rural EMS. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38774 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://app.publicnewsservice.org/story/a-decade-later-west-virginia-is-still-healing-from-floods/4dde513c-d33c-4cc0-a48e-8a18eec0806b? Discusses disaster response and recovery measures rural West Virginia communities have implemented as a result of floods in 2016. Notes that rural communities may have additional recovery challenges as they are more likely to have aging populations and fewer resources. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38755 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.naco.org/news/housing-shortages-limit-community-building-rural-counties Describes the economic, civic, and community services costs for communities with unaffordable housing with focus on how this has impacted particular communities in California, Idaho, and Wyoming. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38767 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://news.etsu.edu/articles/etsu-leads-national-effort-to-elevate-rural-voices-in-healthcare Describes newly funded research to identify rural resident priorities in healthcare service and delivery and discusses the benefits of community-engaged research. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38734 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/07/kauai-communities-take-disaster-planning-into-their-own-hands/ Describes disaster response and recovery plans and training for rural Hawaiian communities led by local organizations and community groups. Discusses the focus on local needs and risks, particularly the risk of isolation following a disaster. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38738 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500