Federal Agencies and National Organizations
The organizations listed on this page have a national interest in rural health and human services. To find organizations and agencies that focus on a specific topic, please consult the information guide for that topic.
Directories
Directory of Primary Care Offices (PCO)
Lists contact information for each state's Primary Care Office (PCO). PCOs represent the needs of the underserved populations and the providers who serve them. These offices can provide information on Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver programs, loan repayment programs, and recruitment and retention.
Directory of Rural Health Contacts: Congressional Committees and Advisory Bodies
Contact information for Congressional committees and advisory bodies of interest to the rural health community.
Directory of Rural Health Contacts: Federal Executive Offices and Commissions
Contact information for federal agencies, offices and commissions with an interest in rural health.
Directory of Rural Health Contacts: House Rural Health Care Coalition
Contact information for members of the U.S. House of Representatives' Rural Health Care Coalition.
Directory of Rural Health Contacts: Senate Rural Health Caucus
Contact information for U.S. Senators who are members of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.
U.S. House of Representatives Directory
Contact information for Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Search by state or last name.
U.S. Senate Directory
Contact information for United States Senators. Search by state or last name.
Organizations
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Funds state, local, and tribal organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support, child care, Head Start, child welfare, and other programs relating to children and families. It is part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Phone: 301.427.1364
Sponsors and conducts research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality; and cost, use, and access. The information helps health care decisionmakers - patients and clinicians, health system leaders, purchasers, and policymakers - make more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services.
American College of Small or Rural Healthcare (ACSRH)
Phone: 847.759.8601
Email: info@aameda.org
Part of the American Academy of Medical Administrators (AAMA). A shared interest group that focuses on the special needs and interests of small or rural healthcare organizations.
American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)
Phone: 202.682.0100
Works to educate members of Congress, the media, and the broader public on what is happening in the states regarding welfare, child welfare, health care reform, and other issues involving families and the elderly.
Bureau of Health Professions
Email: ask@hrsa.gov
Works to assure access to quality health care professionals in all geographic areas and to all segments of society. Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC)
Email: ask@hrsa.gov
Supports access to primary care services. Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD)
Phone: 515.294.1183
Email: card@iastate.edu
Conducts research on the impacts of policy alternatives for trade and agricultural policy, resource and environmental policy, food and nutrition policy, agricultural risk management policy, and science and technology policy.
Center for Rural Affairs (CRA)
Phone: 402.687.2100
Email: info@cfra.org
Works to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities throughout the nation. Foundation is based in Nebraska.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Phone: 800.633.4227
Runs the Medicare and Medicaid programs - two national health care programs that benefit about 75 million Americans. Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Email: ask@hrsa.gov
Works to improve and expand access to quality health care for all. Part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Indian Health Service (IHS)
Provides federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Works to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. Part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS)
Phone: 301.443.0835
21-member citizens' panel of nationally recognized rural health experts that provides recommendations on rural issues to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Mission is to improve the health and well being of Hispanics. The Alliance informs consumers, supports health and human service providers in the delivery of quality care, improves the science base for accurate decision making by promoting better and more inclusive research, promotes appropriate use of technology, insures accountability, advocates on behalf of Hispanics, and promotes philanthropy. Information in English and Spanish.
National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD)
Phone: 202.434.8090
Email: NASTAD@NASTAD.org
Represents the nation's chief state health agency staff who have programmatic responsibility for administering AIDS health care, prevention, education and supportive service programs funded by state and federal governments. State AIDS Directors in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Islands are represented by NASTAD with an office in Washington, DC. Programs administered by NASTAD members serve every population affected by and infected with HIV. NASTAD has expertise in identifying community needs and responding to the challenges of the HIV epidemic nationwide.
National Association for Rural Mental Health (NARMH)
Phone: 320.202.1820
Email: narmh@facts.ksu.edu
Works to develop and enhance rural mental health and substance abuse services, and to support mental health providers in rural areas.
National Association of State Offices of Minority Health (NASOMH)
Phone: (614) 466-4000
Works to improve the effectiveness of State minority health/health disparity programs. It is a National nonprofit organization that focuses on the development and transference of skill sets to increase awareness of health and service disparities, monitor the progress of State offices; and communicate, document, and champion best practices at the State level in eliminating health disparities.
National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT)
Phone: 202.454.3954
Email: info@natat.org
Works to strengthen the effectiveness of town and township government by educating lawmakers and public policy officials about how small town governments operate and by advocating policies on their behalf in Washington, D.C.
National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH)
Dedicated to improving the health status of farmworker families by providing information services and products to a network of more than 500 migrant health center service sites in the United States as well as other organizations and individuals serving the farmworker population.
National Center for Rural Early Childhood Learning Initiatives (NCRECLI)
Email: ruralearlychildhood@aristotle.net
Focuses on research on early childhood policy and practice in rural America.
National Cooperative of Health Networks (NCHN)
Supports and strengthens health alliances through collaborative efforts, networking, and educational opportunities. NCHN's membership currently includes 46 networks (mostly rural) representing over 600 hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and community-based health programs.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM)
Phone: 800.338.7657
The mission of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health.
National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH)
Phone: 586.739.9940
Email: nosorhpd@comcast.net
Works to foster and promote legislation, information exchange, education, and liaison activities with all State Offices of Rural Health, the federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the National Rural Health Association, and other organizations.
National Rural Health Association (NRHA)
Phone: 816.756.3140
Email: mail@NRHArural.org
Promotes leadership, ideas, information, communication, education, research, advocacy, and methods to improve rural health. Composed of individual and organizational members who share a common interest in rural health.
National Rural Network (NRN)
Phone: 573.882.0316
Works to create awareness and understanding of those public policies which enhance the viability of Rural America.
National Rural Recruitment & Retention Network (3RNet)
Phone: 1.800.787.2512
Email: info@3rnet.org
Works to help health care professionals, including dentists and dental hygienists, find practice opportunities in rural areas throughout the country. Includes state information and a list of state contacts.
Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Phone: 301.443.0835
Promotes better health care service in rural America. Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Focuses on matters affecting rural hospitals and health care, coordinating activities within the department that relate to rural health care, and maintaining a national information clearinghouse.
Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)
Phone: 202.408.1273
Email: info@rcap.org
(website temporarily unavailable) Provides technical assistance services and training related to rural solid waste programs, housing, economic development, comprehensive community assessment and planning, and environmental regulations.
Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
Phone: 202.739.9283
Email: info@ruralisc.org
Provides grants, loans and equity investments to community development corporations (CDCs) for neighborhood redevelopment.
Rural Nurse Organization (RNO)
Email: rno@bama.ua.edu
Supports the needs of rural nurses.
Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI)
Phone: 573.882.0316
Conducts policy-relevant research and facilitates public dialogue to assist policymakers in understanding the rural impacts of public policies and programs.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Phone: 1.800.827.5722
Email: answerdesk@sba.gov
Provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Works to improve the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses. Part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Offers numerous funding opportunities such as Rural Economic Development Grants, Rural Business Opportunity Grants, Farm Labor Grants plus others.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Acts as the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.
USDA Economic Research Service (USDA ERS)
Phone: 202.694.5050
Email: InfoCenter@ers.usda.gov
Provides economic analyses to support a competitive agricultural system, safe food supply, a healthy, well-nourished population,
harmony between agriculture and the environment, and enhanced quality of life for rural Americans.
