A variety of Federal departments provide information on rural issues that may impact child welfare. Find links and information about relevant Federal departments in this section.

Department of Agriculture

Economic Research Service (ERS)
Collects data and produces a variety of reports and publications related to agricultural issues and enhanced quality of life for rural Americans. ERS also produces Amber Waves, a quarterly online magazine.

Rural Development (RD)
Provides information to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural areas.

Rural Information Center (RIC)
Provides services for rural communities, local officials, organizations, businesses, and rural citizens working to maintain the vitality of America's rural areas.

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Department of Commerce

Census Bureau
Includes a section of the Census Bureau website that provides information about metropolitan and micropolitan areas.

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Department of Education

National Center for Education Statistics
Provides information to individuals who are interested in educational changes taking place in rural America.

Rural Education Resource Center
Provides information about rural education, including the Rural Educational Achievement Program (REAP) and the Small Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program.

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Department of Health and Human Services

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Provides health care-related information to a broad audience on topics that include data and surveys, research findings, priority populations, and much more.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Includes information from ORHP regarding the provision of grants, developments in rural policy, research funding and distribution of findings, and promising practices and evidence-based models.

Recovery and Recovery Support
Offers information for those providing mental health services in rural areas and for people who live in rural communities around the world.

Rural Health Information Hub
Assists rural communities and other rural stakeholders in accessing the full range of available programs, funding, and research that can enable them to provide quality health and human services to rural residents.

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Department of Housing and Urban Development

Rural Gateway
Offers technical assistance, training, and resources to support rural housing and economic development. 

Section 4 and Rural Capacity Building
Provides funding through the Section 4 program and through Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Programs.

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