Distance Learning and Telemedicine Investments will Benefit More Than 12 Million Rural Residents
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $72 million in grants to help rural residents gain access to health care and educational opportunities. These investments will benefit more than 12 million rural residents.
“Increasing access to telemedicine and distance learning is critical to building healthier and more resilient rural communities,” said Secretary Sonny Perdue. “Paired with our monumental effort to expand high-speed broadband access in rural America, these investments will help rural health care centers and education institutions reach more rural residents with essential services and opportunities. Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Background:
USDA is funding 116 projects through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. The program helps health care and education institutions buy the equipment and software necessary to deploy distance-learning and telemedicine services to rural residents.
Perdue announced investments today in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Here are examples of projects announced today:
- The Lower Yukon School District was awarded $1,000,000 to purchase interactive video conferencing equipment needed to deliver distance learning to residents of Anchorage and Kusilvak Census Area. The project seeks to build on past efforts and develop a distance learning curriculum that includes Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) courses and opportunities, as well as other necessary courses. These new programs will provide students with new learning opportunities and will teach them skill sets that they may bring back to their villages.
- The Northwest Arctic Borough School District received $936,499 for their Distance Learning project, which will serve 12 villages in one of the most remote regions of Alaska. The project will link 12 village schools together and connect them with the district offices in Kotzebue and outside resources, offering improved educational outcomes, cultural and linguistic preservation and unity. All the schools are Title 1A and Economically Disadvantaged, therefore the most effective way for their students to become educated and secure a living wage is through distance learning technology.
- The Southcentral Foundation was awarded $865,408 to expand, enhance, upgrade, and secure access to telehealth and telepharmacy services for residents of 13 rural communities. The project will increase the availability, quality and sustainability of health care services through telehealth and telepharmacy service delivery. Removing the barrier to health and wellness will ensure access to health care services regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. It will also improve clinic customer safety and increase rural provider time to direct patient care by reducing administrative burden through automation and additional hub department support.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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