Uses a budgeting technique to determine if free-market incentives or forces would provide an economic base sufficient to support medical professionals who might practice in the approximately 140 U.S. counties that lack a physician (located mainly in a narrow band from west Texas north through South Dakota). (AH)

Describes multifacted role of a social worker in establishing a rural hospice care program in Cottage Grove, Oregon, a community of 8,000 inhabitants. Discusses program development, planning, coordination, and administration; problem identification and needs assessment; volunteer training; and client assessment and direct services. (NEC)

Texas A&M University offers a health planning "laboratory" course with a rural focus; student findings have been surprising to all concerned. Within the geographic study area, there appear to be enough health services providers to satisfy existing criteria of adequacy, but barriers of awareness, culture, and finances preclude proper utilization.…

Outlines the development of a service delivery network--California Farm Families in Transition--for distressed farmers in Fresno County. Describes the three-tiered prevention model used, initial needs assessment, and services provided in legal, financial, mental health, social, and job development areas. Contains 15 references. (SV)

Describes Open Communication Teens or Parents Understanding Sexuality (OCTOPUS), rural teenage pregnancy prevention program. Program presented in religious setting to improve sexual attitudes and parent-child communication. Finds that participants generally gained in knowledge and self-assessment, but teenagers showed no improvement in attitude…

Discusses recent successes with innovative training program for staff working with chronically mentally ill. Describes program development, program structure, program content, and funding issues. Emphasizes value of collaboration between academia and mental health service agencies. (Author/TES)

Describes Nokomis/Mishomis Place, an assisted living home for elders of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Discusses background on Native American elderly in the United States and Michigan, development of the home, services offered, culturally relevant environment and activities, funding, and problems related to facilities planning…

Provides an overview of supported employment programs for disabled individuals in rural areas. Describes a successful program in rural southeastern Ohio that employs 89 developmentally disabled persons in a countywide recycling program. Suggests methods for developing supported employment programs in rural areas. (LP)

The village center model is designed to eliminate fragmented social service delivery problems in rural areas. The Whole Village Project at Plymouth, New Hampshire, offers interagency collaboration, local control and leadership, and increased client access to family and child services. Alternative strategies are outlined for development of similar…

Describes study of rural or small town community development programs funded by the Small Town Emphasis Program. Outlines program factors including competition, innovation, needs assessment, low income involvement, networks, technical assistance, efficiency, strategy, and timing. Provides examples of six programs and recommends future development…

Since 1977, the University of Wyoming has been developing methods of delivering its bachelor of social work program throughout its large, sparsely populated, rural state. New video telecommunication technology can reach all areas in the state with live, interactive teaching. This emerging program is unique and has implications for other…

Describes evolutionary program development model to guide planning of services for farm families experiencing financial problems. Model forms basis for joint state and local program. Flexible structure enables initial responsive service and evolutionary development. Evaluation provides feedback for continuing development, improvement, and…

Reviews characteristics of rural drug abuse and general considerations for rural service delivery. Describes the Prevention Project, a rural drug abuse program in Florida, and explains its development, philosophy, and teaching techniques, including a basic educational module for use with rural youth. Includes recommendations for similar programs.…

Reexamines definitions of "ruralness" and "resources." Describes three types of support services common to human service agencies. Discusses influence as a program development resource, advantage of rural programs, incumbent social work roles related to resource development, and what makes a program successful. Lists four program development…