Texas Models and Innovations

STAIR (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation)
Updated/reviewed January 2023

Need: To increase access to telemental health services for rural veterans, especially women, with a history of trauma.
Intervention: STAIR (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation) is a 10-week program designed to reduce PTSD and depression symptoms and increase emotional regulation and social functioning in clients.
Results: Therapists reported that clients attended more sessions when offered via teleconferencing, and clients reported satisfaction with the program.

Texas C-STEP Project: Cancer Screening, Training, Education and Prevention Program
Updated/reviewed March 2021

Need: Improve screening rates for rural uninsured/underinsured patients in counties surrounding Bryan-College Station, Texas.
Intervention: An academic center's nursing and family medicine training programs partnered with its public health program to obtain state grant funds for execution of a coordinated cancer prevention and detection program.
Results: In 5 years of colorectal screening efforts, 18 cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in addition to detection of precancerous lesions in 25% of nearly 2000 screening colonoscopies. In 3 years of women's health screening, 18 cases of breast cancer and 141 precancerous cervical lesions were also detected. Due to the initial success of the project, the program continues.

Together With Veterans Rural Suicide Prevention Program
Updated/reviewed February 2023

Need: Suicide among veterans has been steadily increasing, and rural veterans have an increased risk of death by suicide compared to urban veterans.
Intervention: A program called Together With Veterans was formed to help rural communities address and prevent suicides among veterans. The initiative is veteran-led, collaborative, evidence-based, and community-centered.
Results: Data collection is ongoing.

Paris Metro Transportation
Updated/reviewed January 2023

Need: Reliable transportation options for employment and medical access needs for residents of Paris, Texas.
Intervention: A regional government coalition, already operating a rural regional transportation system, partnered with a rural community's medical, education and business entities to expand and improve the community's transportation system.
Results: Paris Metro now provides a low cost/no cost transportation option for local residents, including those with special transportation needs. After implementation, decreased emergency room visits were noted, likely due to reliable transportation for scheduled medical appointments.

CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place—Advancing Better Living for Elders)
Updated/reviewed July 2022

Need: To help older adults age in place.
Intervention: For five months, CAPABLE participants receive home visits from a registered nurse, occupational therapist, and home repair services.
Results: There are currently 34 CAPABLE sites across the country, 9 of which are located in rural communities.

New Horizons Geriatric Counseling Program
Updated/reviewed June 2022

Need: Improved behavioral health care offerings for a community after losing 5 senior-aged men to suicide.
Intervention: A Critical Access Hospital in Yoakum, Texas, created a community-based program focusing on inpatient and outpatient behavioral health care for area residents age 50 and older.
Results: A financially-sustainable behavioral health care delivery model demonstrating positive impacts on physical health conditions, healthcare service utilization, and high patient satisfaction rates.

Rural Recruitment Reimagined Workshop Presents the "Safe Sites" Model
Updated/reviewed April 2022

Need: Strategies to recruit and retain providers to practice in rural settings.
Intervention: A traveling one-day workshop was designed to share ideas and firsthand accounts on successful strategies on how to create "Safe Sites" for new recruits.
Results: So far, workshops have trained over 185 hospital administrators, board members, and rural hospital recruiters.

Collaborative Approaches to Well-Being in Rural Communities
Updated/reviewed November 2021

Need: To improve mental health and well-being in rural Texas.
Intervention: The Hogg Foundation has awarded $7.75 million in grants to support five rural Texas communities in developing collaborative approaches to mental health that best fit each community's needs.
Results: Five community collaboratives have successfully completed their planning process and developed implementation plans.

Generation Patient
Updated/reviewed June 2021

Need: To help young adults with chronic or rare conditions access health and educational resources and build a community of peers and advocates.
Intervention: Generation Patient summits bring together young adults with chronic medical disabilities, including chronic and rare conditions. The nonprofit organization also facilitates programming such as the Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Network.
Results: Generation Patient facilitates about six virtual meetings per month in addition to programming around higher education, civic engagement, and more. The organization also facilitates a Virtual International Summit for young adults with chronic and rare conditions.

Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE)
Updated/reviewed February 2020

Need: Address oral health disparities in Washington's rural and underserved communities.
Intervention: The University of Washington School of Dentistry developed the Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program preparing dentists for practice in rural and underserved areas.
Results: As of 2019, 77% of all RIDE graduates are practicing in Washington state. Of those, 82% are practicing in rural and underserved communities.

Effective Examples