A product of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Rural Initiative, the Rural Assistance Center (RAC) was established in December 2002 as a rural health and human services "information portal." RAC helps rural communities and other rural stakeholders access the full range of available programs, funding, and research that can enable them to provide quality health and human services to rural residents. 

Who Uses the Rural Assistance Center?

RAC users include anyone seeking to maintain and improve the access, quality, and financial viability of rural health and human service delivery systems. For example:

• Local providers of health and human services
• Community-based organizations
• Local government officials or representatives of their national organizations
• Rural community advocates
• State government offices
• State and national organizations dedicated to improving rural health and human services
• Private foundation representatives
• Researchers
• Congressional offices
• Others interested in rural health and human services issues

RAC Services

RAC offers many services to help inform decisions affecting rural health and human services. All services are provided free of charge.

Web-Based Services

• Online Library - Provides access to thousands of resources, including funding and opportunities, news, events, organizations, maps, and publications.
• Topics & States - Features information, resources, and data for specific topics and states.
• Tools for Success - Tools to help communities plan and implement successful projects, including success stories and lessons learned, strategies that work, and tools for demonstrating need and impact.
• RAC Publications & Updates - Original publications from the Rural Assistance Center, including health and human services updates, The Rural Monitor, webinars, the Directory of Rural Health Contacts, and customizable maps.

Electronic Mailing Lists

Users can subscribe to receive e-mail updates on:

• Latest funding opportunities
• Recent news
• New documents and tools
• Upcoming events

Customized Assistance

RAC maintains a clearinghouse of rural health and human services resources. Our information specialists provide free customized assistance including:

• Identify potential funding opportunities
• Locate appropriate federal or state agency contacts
• Find and print electronic documents
• Locate statistics, data sources and maps
• Connect you to organizations, experts, and colleagues

By putting callers with rural concerns in contact with appropriate U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contacts, the Rural Assistance Center also serves as a single point of entry into the Department.

Spread the Word

The Rural Assistance Center (RAC) is seeking your help to spread the word about our services to people and organizations in your community. Ideas for sharing information about RAC include distribution of RAC promotional items, articles about RAC in your organization’s newsletter, and a variety of other methods.