Rural Health and Safety Education (RHSE) Program

The program addresses the health and well-being of rural America through supporting the development and/or implementation of projects focused on: 

1. individual and family health education programs with information about relevant health topics at any age and training for volunteers and health services providers concerning health promotion and health care services
2. rural health leadership development education programs to assist rural communities in developing health care services and facilities; and assist community leaders and public officials in understanding their roles and responsibilities
3. farm safety education programs to provide information and training to farm workers, timber harvesters, and farm families. 

Program funding supports projects that: 

• implement new Extension programs or approaches
• seek to scale up to state- or multistate level Extension programs, demonstrating evidence of impact in the areas of individual and family health education. 

While not limited to implementing Extension-created programs or approaches, projects must:  

• use research-informed, outcome-based programs and approaches with performance indicators that demonstrate measurable changes in knowledge and attitudes of project participants
• use Cooperative Extension as the primary model of program outreach and delivery
• implement programs and approaches in Federally classified rural counties
• and coordinate with the corresponding State office of rural health  

Program Priorities 

Applications are expected to be community-based outreach education programs, such as those conducted through human science Extension outreach, that provide individuals and families with: 

• information as to the value of good health at any age
• information to increase individual or family’s motivation to take more responsibility for their own health
• information regarding rural environmental health issues that directly impact human health
• information about and access to health promotion and educational activities
• training for volunteers and providers concerning health promotion and health care services for individuals and families in cooperation with state, local, and community partners. 

Per congressional guidance, we strongly encourage projects that focus on the prevention and/or reduction of opioid and other substance misuse and abuse. 

Related Documents: Application Assistance Resource

Rural Health and Safety Education (RHSE) Application Assistance Resource