Minnesota is called the land of 10,000 lakes and gets its name from the Dakota word “minisota,” meaning “water that reflects the sky.” Minnesota covers 79,610 square miles, with a 2011 estimated population of 5,344,861 people - 1,428,648 living in rural Minnesota (USDA-ERS). Saint Paul, the state capital, is located in the southern region of the state. The largest cities are Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Bloomington, Duluth and Rochester. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 86.9% of the state’s population is white, 5.4% is Black/African-American, 1.3% is American Indian, 4.2% is Asian, and 4.9% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2011).
There are 133 hospitals in Minnesota (Kaiser, 2010), 84 of which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Dec. 2008). The state has 79 hospitals identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (March 2013). There are also 83 Rural Health Clinics in Minnesota (Kaiser, 2012), and 17 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 74 sites in the state (MNACHC, 2012). Most Minnesotans have some form of health insurance coverage, although 9.0% of its residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2011).
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Minnesotans in 2009 was $41,854, although rural per-capita income lagged at $34,661. Estimates from 2010 indicate a poverty rate of 12.4% exists in rural Minnesota, compared to a 11.1% level in urban areas of the state. 2010 ACS data reports that 11.4% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 7.6% of urban populations. The unemployment rate in rural Minnesota is at 6.7% while in urban Minnesota it is at 6.3% (USDA-ERS, 2011).
For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau: State & County Quick Facts; USDA Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets; North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center; Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts; Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List; Minnesota Association for Community Health Centers
Organizations
2-1-1 Minnesota Information and Referral
State/regional organization
Minnesota became the third in the nation to offer statewide 2-1-1 service.
Apple Tree Dental
Nonprofit/Foundation
Provides needed care to vulnerable population groups and people with special access needs in Minnesota.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation partners with organizations to foster healthy behaviors and improve access to health care.
Bush Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
An independent grantmaker focused on small communities, leadership, and diversity. Focused on the needs of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations in those states.
Center for Rural Design (CRD)
Academic/Research
A multi-disciplinary research and design studio that helps communities find innovative solutions to problems in rural areas in Minnesota, the Midwest, and globally.
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Academic/Research
Based in St. Peter, Minnesota, this research organization is providing its policy makers with an unbiased evaluation of issues from a rural perspective.
Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota (CDF-MN)
State/regional organization
Works to ensure a level playing field for all children.
Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF)
State/regional organization
Dedicated to improving health and access to health care services in the Fargo-Moorhead area, with a special emphasis on children. Offers numerous initiatives including children's mental health, worksite wellness, healthcare workforce, prescription assistance, AED, healthy people, and children's health coverage.
Farm Rescue
Nonprofit/Foundation
Provides planting and harvesting assistance to farm families in that have experienced a major illness, injury, or natural disaster. Qualifying farmers may be eligible to have their agricultural land planted or harvested free of charge. Areas served are North Dakota, South Dakota, western Minnesota, and eastern Montana.
Great Plains Telehealth Resource and Assistance Center (GPTRAC)
State/regional organization
One of the telehealth resource centers funded by the federal Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Assists health care organizations, health care networks, and health care providers in the implementation of cost-effective telehealth programs to serve rural and medically underserved areas and populations. Includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.
Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization (HERO)
Local organization
Serves as a clearinghouse for unused healthcare supplies and durable medical equipment (DME) by providing access to healthcare materials to low-income or uninsured individuals and qualifying human & social services agencies in North Dakota and Minnesota.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Minnesota
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
IES Regional Educational Laboratory
Nonprofit/Foundation
Is one of the 10 regional educational laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Education and is dedicated to providing high-quality, research-based resources to educators and policymakers in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Midwest Assistance Program (MAP)
State/regional organization
Helps communities and tribal nations find solutions to their infrastructure and development needs through information, resource management, expertise, and technical assistance. Helps rural communities in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. As of October 2012 is a partner with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to provide technical assistance to communities in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Minnesota Area Health Education Center (MN-AHEC)
State/regional organization
Supports the health professional workforce needs of rural and urban underserved Minnesota communities through community-campus partnerships among academic institutions, health care agencies, communities, and others committed to improving the health of Minnesotans.
Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers (MNACHC)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Promotes the cost-effective delivery of affordable, quality primary health care services, with a special emphasis on meeting the needs of low-income and medically underserved populations. Represents the interests of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other providers who offer comprehensive primary health care services on a sliding fee scale.
Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs (MACMHP)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Dedicated to improving quality through education, public policy advocacy and member services, provide leadership and service, improve service quality, and foster a unified voice for service providers and clients.
Minnesota Community Action Association (MinnCAP)
State government
Provides job training, job searches, and career development services, energy assistance and weatherization services, food shelves and nutrition programs, emergency housing and financial assistance, counseling, and crisis nursery services.
Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance
State/regional organization
One stop shop where CHWs and CHW stakeholders work together to advance the profession of the CHW throughout Minnesota.
Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF)
State/regional organization
A regional association of grantmakers, working to expand and strengthen a community of diverse grantmakers who individually and collectively advance the common good.
Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF)
State/regional organization
Works to inform, promote, connect and strengthen individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector.
Minnesota Department Of Commerce
State government
Mission is to ensure equitable commercial and financial transactions and reliable utility services in the State of Minnesota.
Minnesota Department of Education: Division of Special Education
State government
Works for the development and implementation of programs and support for those children needed special services.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
State government
Provides the tools, resources and services needed for job search, career planning and training needs.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development: People With Disabilities (DEED)
State government
Helps people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep a job, and live as independently as possible.
Minnesota Department of Health
State government
Prepares for public health emergencies,
ensures quality care in nursing homes and other health care facilities, improves the quality of health care and controlling rising costs,
eliminates health disparities, and
maintains basic responsibilities of public health (such as safe food and water, immunizations, newborn screening, disease prevention and control).
Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC)
State government
Provides technical assistance for clinics and hospitals, works to recruit and retain health professionals, and promotes access to quality health care for rural and underserved urban Minnesotans.
Minnesota Department of Health – Minnesota Statewide Trauma System
State government
Provides information and resources to support the comprehensive statewide trauma system.
Minnesota Department of Health: Office of Minority and Multicultural Health (MDH-OMMH)
State government
Focuses attention on the disparities in health status among Minnesota's populations of color and American Indians.
Minnesota Department of Human Services
State/regional organization
Helps people meet their basic needs by providing or administering health care coverage, economic assistance, and a variety of services for children, people with disabilities and older Minnesotans.
Minnesota Department of Human Services: Minnesota Methamphetamine Resource Center
State government
Provides information and education on addiction, treatment and awareness of methamphetamine issues as well as other chemical abuse and addictions.
Minnesota Department of Human Services: Adult Mental Health Division
State government
Works to ensure that mental health programs and services are available throughout Minnesota. Provides state and federal funding for mental health treatment.
Minnesota Department of Human Services: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division
State government
Responsible for defining a statewide response to drug and alcohol abuse, including providing basic information on chemical health, planning a broad-based community service system, evaluating the effectiveness of various chemical dependency services, and funding innovative programs to promote reduction of alcohol and other drug problems and their effects on individuals, families and society.
Minnesota Department of Human Services: Child Support Division
State government
Enforces parental responsibility for their children, works with parents to establish and enforce for child support, medical support, and child care support orders, and works with parents and guardians when applying for services.
Minnesota Department of Human Services: Children's Mental Health Division
State government
Addresses the needs of children faced with complex mental health problems.
Minnesota Department of Human Services: Disability Services Division
State government
Manages publicly funded programs that support people with a variety of disabilities, including developmental disabilities, chronic medical conditions, deaf and hearing loss, Telephone Equipment Distribution Program, acquired or traumatic brain injuries and physical disabilities.
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDoT)
State government
Mission is to improve access to markets, jobs, goods and services and improve mobility by focusing on priority transportation improvements and investments that help Minnesotans travel safer, smarter and more efficiently.
Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA)
State/regional organization
Represents hospitals' interests through advocacy and representation, as well as in educational programming, communications efforts, information resources and issue-area expertise.
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA)
State government
Works to create affordable housing solutions, helps Minnesotans buy and fix up their homes through low interest rate loans and assistance programs, and administers federal and state housing production and assistance programs to support low and moderate-income renters.
Minnesota Rural Health Association (MRHA)
State/regional organization
Brings together diverse interests to address rural health issues and advocates for and with rural Minnesotans.
Minnesota Rural Partners (MRP)
State/regional organization
Promotes rural-friendly policies, connects resources and develops tools that support rural economic and community development, shares stories of rural innovation, and unites Minnesotans everywhere who understand the power of rural roots in our lives.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region (NN/LM-GMR)
State/regional organization
Works to improve access to health information for health professionals, librarians and members of the public in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
North Central EMS Cooperative (NCEMSC)
National organization
Maintains a network of over 4000 EMS organizations in 49 states, and several countries, all purchasing equipment together on national contracts. Members include ambulance services, fire departments, first responders, police and sheriff departments, industry, clinics, hospitals, and other related agencies.
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD)
State/regional organization
One of four regional rural development centers in the nation. Works with extension professionals, researchers, and partners to enhance rural development outcomes. Serves a 12 state area in the North Central region which includes ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, IN, MI, and OH.
Northern Great Plains Inc. (NGP)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Identifies and promotes policies and practices that support an integrated approach to economic opportunities in rural communities. Identifies trends, needs, and research. Serves North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
Pacer Center
State/regional organization
The mission of PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.
Regional Extension Assistance Center for HIT: Minnesota and North Dakota (REACH)
State/regional organization
Minnesota and North Dakota State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
Stratis Health
Nonprofit/Foundation
Non-profit independent quality improvement organization that collaborates with providers and consumers to improve health care.
Strong Towns
National organization
A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that explores land use patterns and supports a model for growth to achieve financial strength and resiliency of communities. Their website offers a blog, podcasts, videos and lists of resources on the economic development of small towns. Based in Minnesota, yet applicable to other states and communities.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Minnesota
Federal government
Works to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing. The HUD state office provides information about HUD housing programs and local contacts for the state.
University of Minnesota Extension
Academic/Research
Works to creat a stronger Minnesota through extension education and research improves economic, social and environmental conditions in Minnesota and the world by engaging Minnesotans to make better decisions, take positive action and create significant outcomes in their lives and communities.
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Academic/Research
One of seven Rural Health Research Centers currently funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy. Conducts research and disseminates information, with primary areas of research including: rural health care financing, rural systems building, and outcomes and delivery of care in rural areas.
USDA Rural Development Minnesota State Office
Federal government
Committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The Rural Development State Office provides information about Rural Development programs and applications for financial assistance.
VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23)
Federal government
Also known as Veterans Integrated Service Network 23. Serves more than 400,000 enrolled Veterans residing in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
WellShare International
International organization
WellShare International, formerly Minnesota International Health Volunteers works to improve the health of women, children and their communities around the world.
Tools
2-1-1 North Dakota
Website
Also called FirstLink. Connects people with important community services in North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. This information, referral and crisis intervention service is free and operator-serviced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Bridge to Benefits Minnesota
Website
A multi-state project by Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota to improve the well-being of families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits.
Community Paramedic
Website
Works to improve the health of millions living in rural and remote regions of the United States and around the world. Offers the Community Paramedic Program, which through a standardized curriculum, trains first responders at the appropriate level to serve communities in the areas of Primary Care, Public Health, Disease Management, Prevention and Wellness, Mental Health, and Dental Care. Partners with various organizations including several from Minnesota and Nebraska.
ERS State Fact Sheet: Minnesota
Website
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Future of Small Towns Idea Generator
Website
Online forum to suggest and discuss ideas for dealing with the challenges facing small towns. Ideas are arranged by topic, including telecommunications, economic development, transportation, and more.
Health Information Technology for Rural and Safety Net Providers
Website
A variety of information and resources to support efforts to accelerate the adoption and use of electronic health records (EHRs) and health information technology (HIT), including applications for telehealth in Minnesota.
Health Information Technology Toolkit for Home Health Agencies
Website
Designed for use in implementing or overhauling a home health agency Health Information Technology (HIT) or Electronic Health Record system and to evaluate system effectiveness.
Health Information Technology Toolkit for Nursing Homes
Website
Designed for use in implementing Health Information Technology or Electronic Health Record system in a nursing home and to evaluate system effectiveness.
Meadowlark Project
Website
Describes a process aimed at systemic change by bringing a diverse sample of the Northern Great Plains region's population to the table to discuss the region's future. Engages in conversations among rural communities and organizations.
Minnesota AgrAbility Project
Website
Dedicated to helping farmers work safely and independently.
Minnesota Cancer Resources
Database
Connects patients and health care providers with local resources within their communities, such as support groups, transportation, financial assistance, and palliative care. Provides links to cancer information such as treatment options, clinical trials, and pain management.
Minnesota e-Health Assessment Data, Statistics and Summaries
Website
Contains statistics, data, and summaries describing the adoption and use of EHRs and other HIT and the exchange of health information in a variety of health settings in Minnesota that are essential to improving the affordability, accessibility, and quality of health care and supporting healthier communities.
Minnesota Grant and Loan Information
Website
Provides a complete listing of grants and loans available from the Minnesota Office of Rural Health & Primary Care
Minnesota Health Centers Research & Data
Website
Provides access to information on Federally Qualified Health Centers for the state. Includes a map of FQHC locations, as well as information on the populations served by health centers, services provided, staff, patient visits, costs of care, and use of electronic health information.
Minnesota Health Information: A Guide to Health Care Quality & Cost in Minnesota
Website
Contains links to a wide range of health-related websites and information about the cost and quality of health care in Minnesota. Designed to be a clearinghouse of health care information.
Minnesota Health Workforce Data and Reports
Website
Links to current health workforce licensing raw data, summary tables, maps, demand data, and reports.
Minnesota Hospital Quality Report
Website
Features data on hospitals' use of best practices for three conditions: heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia.
Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Website
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card
Website
Provides information on choosing a nursing home. Shows how Minnesota nursing homes scored in seven quality measures.
Minnesota Office of Rural Health & Primary Care: Successful Models for Rural and Underserved Communities
Website
A database of innovative projects in rural Minnesota.
Minnesota Public Health Data Access
Website
An electronic gateway for data about health, the environment, and other risk factors that may affect public health in Minnesota.
Minnesota QuickFacts
Website
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Minnesota Relay
Website
Provides access for people with hearing loss or a speech disability to communicate over the telephone.
Minnesota Rural Health Research Center Publications
Website
Publications from one of the federally funded Rural Health Research Centers. Lists working papers and monographs.
Minnesota State Demographic Center
Website
Analyzes and distributes data from state, U.S. Census Bureau and other sources.
Minnesota State Health Facts
Database
Provides the latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation. Individual state profiles and 50-state comparisons.
Minnesota Telehealth Registry
Website
Online, searchable tool for health care providers in Minnesota to share information about telehealth services. Includes lists of providers along with a map of locations.
MinnesotaHelp.info
Website
Provides an online directory of services to help people in Minnesota identify resources such as human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of aid and assistance. It is especially rich in resource information for seniors and their caregivers; people with disabilities and their caregivers; parents and families; and low income people
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Minnesota
Website
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM Greater Midwest Region: Minnesota Resources
Website
Overview of the state, with links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for Minnesota.
Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers (PERLC)
Website
Comprised of 14 accredited schools of public health that serve in a national capacity to meet preparedness and response training and education needs of the U. S. public health workforce. Funded schools are located in AL, AZ, FL, IA, IL, MA, MD, MN, NY, OK, NC, TX, and WA.
Rural Health Care Under Pressure
Website
A compilation of news, interviews, and documents regarding Minnesota's rural health care issues.
Rural Highway Safety Clearinghouse
Website
Provides citizen-centered research, training, and outreach to enhance rural safety and to meet the online and seminar training needs of rural transportation practitioners and policymakers.
Rural Minnesota Life
Website
Part of the Rural Families Speak Project. Provides information that contributes to rural Minnesota family and business vitality. For use by both families and family businesses. Includes research, publications, and educational tools, as well as links to other websites.
Spoken Language Health Care Interpreter Roster
Website
A voluntary statewide roster of spoken language health care interpreters to address access concerns for Minnesotans, particularly in rural areas.
University of Minnesota Agricultural Safety & Health
Website
Resources and information on a variety of agricultural safety topics. Includes educational opportunities, research, and outreach projects.
See also: State-by-State Resources: Tools Maps & Map Collections
Atlas of Minnesota: Online Edition
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Features updated maps and data on agriculture, people, economic vitality, income & poverty, housing, health, education, public safety, infrastructure, the environment, and civic engagement.
Minnesota Atlas Online
Geographic coverage: United States
Collection of digital maps that provide data for social and economic characteristics of Minnesota.
Date: 2011
Minnesota Rural Definition Maps
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Set of maps showing the geographic coverage provided by 9 different rural definitions for the state.
Date: 2000
Minnesota's Metropolitan, Micropolitan & Rural Counties
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Map of state identifying counties by metropolitan, micropolitan or rural classification scheme.
Date: 2008
Road Travel Time to Nearest Urbanized Area According to RUCA Zip Code Approximation
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Identifies travel time to nearest urbanized area according to the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas (RUCA) zip code approximation.
Rural-Urban Commuting Areas - Minnesota
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Identifies Minnesota counties by one of the four Rural-Urban Commuting Areas (RUCA) categories: urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated.
See also: State-by-State Resources: Maps Funding
Blandin Foundation Major Grants
Funding for large projects that stimulate economic opportunity, educational opportunities, and community leadership in rural Minnesota.
Blandin Foundation Quick Response Grants
Funding for projects that stimulate economic opportunity, educational opportunities, and community leadership in rural Minnesota.
Breakthrough Idea Challenge
Awards funding for new concepts and projects designed to improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans and Minnesotans.
Community Resource Group (CRG) Loan Fund
Loans to help small, rural communities and tribal nations with water and wastewater projects.
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants
Funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading.
First Children's Finance Loan Fund
Loans and technical assistance to child care and early education businesses, especially those serving lower-income communities.
Gannett Foundation Community Action Grants
Supports local organizations with funding priority given to programs that focus on education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation, and cultural enrichment.
Medica Foundation Grant Program
Grants designed to improve primary care and preventive health services for people with disabilities, early childhood health, and organizational core mission support.
Minnesota Primary Care Loan Fund
Loans and financial management assistance to stabilize and strengthen nonprofits in the health care field.
Mission and Ministry Fund Planning and Project Grants
Grants to build community capacity and work in collaboration with others to implement action plans that address specific, documented community needs.
Mission and Ministry Fund Violence Prevention Grant
Funds may be requested to cover the costs of community-based planning, conducting community meetings, assessing community violence-related assets and needs, continuing specific community-based violence prevention efforts and related activities.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine Greater Midwest Region Funding
Provides funding for National Network of Libraries members located in the greater Midwest region to assist them in conducting outreach and technology projects.
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Implementation and Training Funds
Funding to Minnesota’s community health boards and tribal governments interested in implementing or expanding a Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) site.
Otto Bremer Foundation Grants
Provides funding for organizations working to supply people with basic needs and helping them become financially stable and self-reliant.
Wells Fargo Corporate Giving Programs
Funding for nonprofit organizations in the areas of community development, education, human services, arts and culture, civic responsibility, and environmental consciousness.
Inactive Funding
Inactive Funding Opportunities -
Lists additional funding programs for this state that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.
Documents, Reports and Other Publications
2012 Minnesota Internet Survey: Digital Divide 2.0 and beyond
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Survey looks at the current state of Internet access in both rural and urban Minnesota, including trends and what they mean for the future.
Date: 2012
Aiming Higher for Health System Performance: A Profile of Seven States That Perform Well on the Commonwealth Fund’s 2009 State Scorecard
Author(s): Greg Moody, Sharon Silow-Carroll
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
Demonstrates that high levels of health system performance are achievable and sustainable, and provides useful examples of policies and practices in Vermont, Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Delaware that may be associated with health system improvement.
Date: 10 / 2009
Collaborative Leadership: Partnerships Between Regional Development Organizations and Community Foundations
Author(s): Parrish Bergquist, Kathy Nothstine, Anju Chopra
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Development Organizations
Explores the strategies and rewards behind
eight partnerships between community foundations and
RDOs (Rural Development Organizations) in Alabama, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Date: 07 / 2012
Community Clinic Grant Program: Report to the Minnesota Legislature 2010
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
Report to the Minnesota Legislature on the needs of community clinics and recommendations for adding or changing eligible activities under the Community Grant Program.
Date: 03 / 2010
Community Health Workers in Minnesota: Bridging Barriers, Expanding Access, Improving Health: A Decade of Partnership, Innovation and Field-Building To Create Healthy Communities
Sponsoring organization: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation
Reports on the development and growing recognition of community health workers as an emerging resource for Minnesota.
Date: 2010
Community Paramedics Widen Medical Services in Rural Areas
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Highlights how rural communities in Colorado and Minnesota are training paramedics to also provide home care, immunizations, and other health services.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Volume 2010 Issue Fall
Date: 11 / 2010
Continuing the Trend: the Brain Gain of the Newcomers
Author(s): Ben Winchester
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota
Examines migration patterns in and out of rural areas by generational age cohorts, finding that from 1990 to 2010, almost all rural Minnesota counties experienced population gains in the 30-49 age cohort. The report suggests that this may counter pervasive rhetoric surrounding the "brain drain," which focuses on the migration of younger age cohorts from rural to urbanized areas.
Date: 05 / 2012
Demographic and Economic Profile: Minnesota
Author(s): Kathleen K. Miller
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Presents demographic, economic information and statistics on Minnesota. Includes charts, maps, and graphs.
Date: 01 / 2009
Distribution of Physician Specialties in Minnesota
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
A report derived from three sources of data - the American Medical Association, the Board of Medical Practice, and the Minnesota Office of Rural Health and Primary Care - to describe the specializations of Minnesota physicians.
Date: 11 / 2009
e-Emergency Services Bring Specialists to Rural Patients with the Push of a Button
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
More and more specialists are available to small hospitals via telemedicine, benefiting patients—and doctors. Highlights Avera eEmergency Services, a hospital-based telemedicine emergency support service available in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Volume 2011 Issue Summer
Date: 08 / 2011
Economic Contribution of Telecommunication Companies Serving Greater Minnesota: A Report of the Economic Impact Analysis Program University of Minnesota Extension
Author(s): Brigid Tuck, Bruce Schwartau, Ryan Pesch
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Extension
Focuses on the economic contribution of telecommunication companies with customers in Greater Minnesota. The survey results were used to calculate the economic contribution of the industry
Date: 02 / 2012
Effects of the Rising Cost of Gasoline on Rural Consumers in Minnesota
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Research finds that rural Minnesota families spend on average 20 percent more on gasoline than Twin Cities families, regardless of the cost of gas.
Date: 07 / 2009
Every Kid Counts: a Closer look at Children of Color and American Indian Children
Sponsoring organization: Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota
Discusses the cultural diversity found in Minnesota with a focus on children and their issues of exclusion and inclusion in communities across the state.
Date: 2010
Examining Rural Health Care
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Entire issue of the RMJ is devoted to rural health care in Minnesota. Contains articles on becoming a rural doctor, health insurance coverage and access to health care, health care workforce, telehealth, pharmacy, long-term care, and more.
Journal citation: Rural Minnesota Journal
Date: 03 / 2007
Fact Sheet: Minnesota’s Dentist Workforce 2009-2010
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Presents general information about the demographics, employment and career plans of dentists and dental specialists in Minnesota.
Date: 05 / 2011
Fact Sheet: Minnesota’s Physical Therapist Assistants 2010
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Presents general information about the demographics, employment and career plans of physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Minnesota.
Date: 03 / 2010
Financial Status of Minnesota’s CAHs: Successes, Challenges, Needs, and Recommendations
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Reports on a study on the impact of the support from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, to sustain Critical Access Hospitals CAHs).
Date: 08 / 2008
Finding the Voice of Rural Minnesota
Author(s): Tom Horner
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Results of a study that included interviews and a survey of people actively involved in public policy in general and in issues affecting rural Minnesota.
Date: 2013
General Surgery in Rural Minnesota
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Describes the practice of general surgery, key elements of successful models, and barriers to the availability of rural surgical services in Minnesota.
Date: 03 / 2011
Geographic Distribution of Minnesota Physicians, by Specialty
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Examines the mix and distribution of board-physician specialties to provide a useful lens for understanding the state’s physician workforce balance, and the primary care physician workforce.
Date: 01 / 2013
Health Care Transformation Task Force Recommendations Submitted To: Governor Tim Pawlenty and the Minnesota State Legislature
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Human Services
Includes and recommendations of the Health Care Transformation Task Force working on the challenge of ensuring that all Minnesotans have access to high quality health care at a sustainable cost.
Date: 01 / 2008
Health Insurance, Health Care Costs, and Access to Care: How Are Minnesota Farmers and Ranchers Faring Compared to Farmers and Ranchers in Other Great Plains States?
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Discusses how health care costs effects farmers and ranchers in Minnesota, including the effects on their families, businesses, and surrounding rural economies.
Date: 07 / 2009
Health Status of Rural Minnesotans
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
A snapshot of the health of rural Minnesotans by summarizing key health indicators, health behaviors, and other social and environmental health determinants.
Date: 09 / 2011
Health Workforce Shortage Study Report
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
Addresses the primary health care workforce shortage in Minnesota, and makes recommendations that would address the State's health workforce challenges particularly in rural communities.
Date: 01 / 2009
Language Access Services in Critical Access Hospitals for Patients with Limited English Proficiency in Rural Minnesota
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
Examines how well Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) were meeting the needs of patients with limited English proficiency in rural Minnesota.
Date: 03 / 2008
Making it Work: Combating Rural Homelessness
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
This entire issue of Rural Voices is dedicated to the topic of rural homelessness. Highlights some of the innovative ways rural homeless providers are accessing and using
resources in Michigan, Minnesota, California, Georgia, and Kentucky.
Journal citation: Rural Voices Volume 12 Issue 3
Date: 2007
Medical Homes Offer Comprehensive Care Approach
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Describes the successes experienced by two health care centers that offer medical home services to their patients. Advocates in the Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) and the Lakewood Health System in Staples, Minnesota describe their programs.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Volume 2009 Issue Spring
Date: 05 / 2009
Midwest National Health Service Corps Retention Toolkit
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Recruitment & Retention Network
Provides tools to assist National Health Service Corps (NHSC) sites with the retention of health care providers.
Date: 2012
Minnesota Physician Assistants Facts and Data 2009
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Provides data and statistics on the number of registered licensed physician assistants in Minnesota, their work status and other demographic information.
Date: 01 / 2010
Minnesota Physician Workforce Geography 2009
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Analyzes the geography of the Minnesota physician workforce. Describes urban-rural
and regional variations in the per capita supply of physicians, as well as variations in the distribution of physicians between primary care and non-primary care specialties.
Date: 07 / 2009
Minnesota Rural Palliative Care Initiative: Final Report
Author(s): Janelle Shearer, Karla Weng, Lyn Ceronsky, Michelle, Hopkins, Deb McKinley, Jennifer Lundblad, Jane Pederson, Kate Peterson
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
Describes the Minnesota Rural Palliative Care Initiative (MRPCI), which assisted ten communities establish or strengthen palliative care services in rural Minnesota.
Date: 06 / 2011
Minnesota Statewide Trauma System
Author(s): Tim Held
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
A fact sheet providing background information about the Minnesota Statewide Trauma System.
Date: 01 / 2008
Minnesota Trauma System Performance Improvement Plan
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
Provides emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, trauma centers, trauma regions, and the Minnesota trauma program with a summary of the processes and activities required to measure, monitor, evaluate, and improve the process of trauma care and its outcome.
Date: 06 / 2009
Minnesota's Dental Hygienist Workforce Fact Sheet
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Data and information on education, career and future plans of Minnesota dental hygienists.
Date: 05 / 2010
Minnesota’s Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, 2010
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Presents general information about the demographics, employment and career plans of advanced practice registered nurses in Minnesota.
Date: 04 / 2011
Minnesota’s Dental Assistant Workforce 2008-2009
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Fact sheet providing information on supply, education, career and future plans of dental assistants.
Date: 01 / 2009
Minnesota’s Physician Assistant Workforce 2011
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Provides information on demographics, education, career and future plans of physician assistants (PAs) in Minnesota.
Date: 04 / 2013
Minnesota’s Registered Nurse Workforce 2009-2010
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Reports on the data collected from the Minnesota registered nurses (RNs) workforce surveys collected during the biennial licensing renewal process from 2009 to 2010.
Date: 08 / 2012
Minnesota’s Respiratory Therapist Workforce 2012
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Provides information on demographics, employment and future practice plans of respiratory therapists (RTs) licensed in Minnesota including rural Minnesota.
Date: 02 / 2013
Minnesota’s Rural Health Plan
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Provides a framework to ensure that rural communities have the structure, the tools and the resources to provide quality access to health care.
Date: 11 / 2009
Oral Health Practitioner Recommendations
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Provides recommendations and proposed legislation to: improve access to dental care for Minnesotans who are low income, uninsured and underserved; control the cost of education and dental services; preserve quality of care; and protect patients from harm.
Date: 01 / 2009
Past Silos and Smokestacks: Transforming the Rural Economy in the Midwest
Author(s): Mark Drabenstott
Sponsoring organization: Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Discusses a development strategy that includes regional cooperation, innovation, and a leveraging of all strengths for the rural Midwest to transform its economy.
Date: 2010
Practical Guide to Effective Use of EHR Systems: Guide 4
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
A guide for the effective and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) and to tap into the available incentives under Medicare and Medicaid stimulus funds.
Date: 06 / 2009
Practical Guide to Electronic Prescribing: Guide 3
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
A guide to help providers meet Minnesota’s 2011 e-prescribing mandate and to tap into incentives under Medicare and Medicaid stimulus funds.
Date: 06 / 2009
Region Apart: A Look at Challenges and Strategies for Rural K-12 Schools
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Presents recommendations for changes to help maintain and improve student achievement in rural Minnesota schools while not increasing cost.
Date: 04 / 2009
Roadmap to a Healthier Minnesota
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Human Services
Includes policy strategies for creating more patient-centered coordinated care, changing payment structures to incentivize keeping people healthy, engaging communities in designing healthier environments and encouraging increased personal responsibility in health and health care.
Date: 12 / 2012
Rural Health Advisory Committee’s Report on Telemental Health in Rural Minnesota
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Provides an overview of the current mental health landscape in rural Minnesota and identifies the barriers and benefits of providing telehealth mental health services in rural regions of the state.
Date: 07 / 2010
Rural Health Care: New Delivery Model Recommendations
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Captures the discussion and recommendations of the New Rural Health Care Delivery
Model Work Group, formed to examine the influence health reform legislation may
have on rural health delivery, and to consider specific improvements that could be made to the
system to better meet the needs of rural consumers and providers.
Date: 01 / 2009
Rural Hospital Governance Workbook
Includes resources on hospital board composition, board roles and responsibilities, board accountability and board compliance. Published by the Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital, Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Date: 2012
Rural Hospital System Growth and Consolidation
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Explores the reasons why rural hospital leaders are choosing to become affiliated with regional systems of care, or to remain independent.
Date: 01 / 2013
Rural Migration: The Brain Gain of the Newcomers
Author(s): Ben Winchester
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota
Describes the migration trends of rural Minnesota. Compiled findings indicate a growth in the population of 30-49 year-olds.
Small Business Profile: Minnesota
Sponsoring organization: Small Business Administration
Profile of the state's economy, covering the number of firms, industry composition, small business income, banking, women and minority business ownership, and employment.
Date: 2 / 2013
State of Rural Minnesota Report 2013
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Collection of maps, tables and graphs illustrating how rural Minnesota differs from corner to corner and county by county.
Date: 2013
Teen Pregnancy and Teen Birth Rate
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
Fact sheet describing the results of Minnesota’s statewide needs assessment on teen pregnancy and teen birth rates - part of Minnesota’s Title V Block Grant requirements.
Date: 09 / 2009
USDA Rural Development 2012 Progress Report
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
Reports on investments made by USDA Rural Development intended to have a lasting, sustainable impact on rural American by supporting economic growth, broadband implementation, housing programs, and public utility projects. Features programs implemented in Minnesota, Georgia, Montana, Oregon, Tennessee, Louisiana, Illinois, Arizona, North Carolina, North Dakota, Colorado, Florida, and Wisconsin. Reports total funds granted to each of the 50 states from 2009 - 2012.
Walking in Two Worlds: Helping Immigrant Women Adjust in Rural Minnesota
Author(s): Cecil Gassis, Anne Ganey
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Discusses the challenges immigrant women face coming to rural America and describes a Minnesota program to help them adjust.
Journal citation: Rural Minnesota Journal Volume 3 Issue 1
Date: 2008
Women’s Work: Productive Aging in Rural Minnesota
Author(s): Jan Hively
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Rural Minnesota's population is getting older faster than the urban areas of the state. Discusses the many ways that the senior population can and is currently contributing to the welfare of their communities.
Journal citation: Rural Minnesota Journal Volume 3 Issue 1
Date: 2008
See also: State-by-State Resources: Documents Journals
Minnesota - Monthly Update
Monthly newsletter containing articles, news, events and more.
Minnesota - MN Quarterly
Quarterly newsletter containing articles, news, events and more.
Minnesota - MRHA and Health News
Contains timely news, including upcoming events and articles.
Rural Minnesota Journal
Devoted to the discussion and circulation of ideas on rural Minnesota for all Minnesotans. Contains articles by some of the state's most recognized and credible authorities on rural affairs.
Source Newsletter
Published three times a year. Provides news on infrastructure and development needs for rural communities in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Success Stories
Migrant Health Service, Inc. and Fargo-Moorhead YMCA Program
Migrant Health Service, Inc. (MHSI) was recognized for its partnership with the Fargo-Moorhead YMCA that has provided facility memberships to more than 15 local farmworker families at no cost.
Diabetes Lay Educator Program: Enhancing Health Care for Hispanic Migrant Farmworkers
The Diabetes Lay Educator Program was designed to reduce the high mortality rate and medical costs associated with diabetes in the area’s Hispanic population and to increase access to high quality, culturally competent health care services geared toward helping clients effectively manage diabetes.
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council
In 2002, Tri-Valley Opportunity Council assumed responsibility for coordinating a public transportation and volunteer driver system to serve a sparsely populated, very rural five-county area covering 6,500 miles in northwest Minnesota.
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