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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 2010 estimated population of 5,303,925 people - 1,429,114 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, 85.3% of the state’s population is white, 5.2% is Black/African-American, 1.1% is American Indian, 4.0% is Asian, and 4.7% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2010).

There are 132 hospitals in Minnesota, 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 (Sept. 2010). There are also 81 Rural Health Clinics in Minnesota (Kaiser, 2011), and 15 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 74 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2010). Most Minnesotans have some form of health insurance coverage, although 9.0% of its residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2008-2009).

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. 2010 estimates 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 7.7% while in urban Minnesota it is at 7.2% (USDA-ERS, 2010).

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

State Contacts

Directory of Rural Health Contacts: Minnesota
Contact information for people and organizations in Minnesota with an interest in rural health.

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 five telehealth resource centers. 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.

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 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
Works actively to strengthen and expand philanthropy and improve the vitality and health of our communities.

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 Faith Health Consortium
State/regional organization
Promotes and enhances health and human flourishing of individuals, families, and communities within the context of personal faith and/or faith communities.

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 Primary Care Association / Association of Community Health Centers
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 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 more than 3000 EMS organizations in 49 states and several provinces, all purchasing equipment together on national contracts.

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.

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.

Research Data Assistance Center (ResDAC)
Federal government
Provides free assistance to academic and non-profit researchers interested in using Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, and Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) data for research. Staffed by a consortium of epidemiologists, public health specialists, health services researchers, biostatisticians, and health informatics specialists from the University of Minnesota.

Stratis Health
Nonprofit/Foundation
Non-profit independent quality improvement organization that collaborates with providers and consumers to improve health care.

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 Rural Health Research Center
Academic/Research
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.

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
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: First Link

Bridge to Benefits Minnesota
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: Children's Defense Fund

Community Paramedic
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: North Central EMS Institute

ERS State Fact Sheet: Minnesota
Web site
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service

Future of Small Towns Idea Generator
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Public Radio

Health Information Technology for Rural and Safety Net Providers
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

Health Information Technology Toolkit for Home Health Agencies
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health

Health Information Technology Toolkit for Nursing Homes
Web site
Designed for use in implementing Health Information Technology or Electronic Health Record system in a nursing home and to evaluate system effectiveness.
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health

Meadowlark Project
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: Northern Great Plains Inc.

Minnesota AgrAbility Project
Web site
Dedicated to helping farmers work safely and independently.
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota

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.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Cancer Alliance

Minnesota e-Health Assessment Data, Statistics and Summaries
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health

Minnesota Grant and Loan Information
Web site
Provides a complete listing of grants and loans available from the Minnesota Office of Rural Health & Primary Care
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

Minnesota Health Centers Data
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers

Minnesota Health Information: A Guide to Health Care Quality & Cost in Minnesota
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health

Minnesota Health Workforce Data and Reports
Web site
Links to current health workforce licensing raw data, summary tables, maps, demand data, and reports.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

Minnesota Hospital Quality Report
Web site
Features data on hospitals' use of best practices for three conditions: heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Hospital Association

Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Sponsoring organization: Annie E. Casey Foundation

Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card
Web site
Provides information on choosing a nursing home. Shows how Minnesota nursing homes scored in seven quality measures.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Human Services

Minnesota Office of Rural Health & Primary Care: Successful Models for Rural and Underserved Communities
Web site
A database of innovative projects in rural Minnesota.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

Minnesota Public Health Data Access
Web site
An electronic gateway for data about health, the environment, and other risk factors that may affect public health in Minnesota.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health

Minnesota QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau

Minnesota Relay
Web site
Provides access for people with hearing loss or a speech disability to communicate over the telephone.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department Of Commerce

Minnesota Rural Health Research Center Publications
Web site
Publications from one of the federally funded Rural Health Research Centers. Lists working papers and monographs.
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center

Minnesota State Demographic Center
Web site
Analyzes and distributes data from state, U.S. Census Bureau and other sources.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau

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.
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Family Foundation

Minnesota Telehealth Registry
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

MinnesotaHelp.info
Web site
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
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

NN/LM Greater Midwest Region: Minnesota Resources
Web site
Overview of the state, with links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for Minnesota.
Sponsoring organization: National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region

Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers (PERLC)
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rural Health Care Under Pressure
Web site
A compilation of news, interviews, and documents regarding Minnesota's rural health care issues.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Public Radio

Rural Highway Safety Clearinghouse
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota

Rural Minnesota Life
Web site
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.
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota

Spoken Language Health Care Interpreter Roster
Web site
A voluntary statewide roster of spoken language health care interpreters to address access concerns for Minnesotans, particularly in rural areas.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health

University of Minnesota Agricultural Safety & Health
Web site
Resources and information on a variety of agricultural safety topics. Includes educational opportunities, research, and outreach projects.

See also: Resources for All States: 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.
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development

Minnesota Rural Definition Maps
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Set of maps showing the geographic coverage provided by 9 different rural definitions for the state.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service

Minnesota's Metropolitan, Micropolitan & Rural Counties
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Map of state identifying counties by metropolitan, micropolitan or rural classification scheme.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
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.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

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.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

See also: Resources for All States: Maps

Funding

2011 Minnesota e-Health Connectivity Grant Program for Health Information Exchange
Grant to provide modest resources to help health care providers and hospitals in rural and underserved areas build HIE capacity and achieve HIE capability.

Alex Stern Family Foundation
The foundation supports the arts, social welfare/human services, education, youth recreation, civic projects and health issues for the benefit of the greater Fargo-Moorhead area.

Blandin Foundation Rural Minnesota Grants
Funding for addressing on a statewide basis issues that impact rural Minnesota.

Bush Leadership Fellows Program
Provides fellowships for building leadership capacity.

Cargill Community Scholarship Program
Scholarship to high-school seniors living in communities near Cargill operations in the U.S.

Clinical Dental Education Innovations
Supports innovative clinical training for dental professionals and programs that increase access to dental care for underserved populations through grant funding.

Dakota Medical Foundation
The majority of the Foundation's resources are in health areas, with a special emphasis on children.

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
Community action grant priorities include education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

General Mills Tribal College Scholarship Program
Need-based scholarships of $2,000 to outstanding American Indian students currently enrolled at a tribal college or university in the states of Minnesota and New Mexico.

Light Speed Grant Program
Program provides matching funds to support project implementation of new broadband applications from institutions (schools, health care facilities, etc.) to the home or between institutions with a priority on applications that reach home users.

Midwest Assistance Program Revolving Loan Fund
Helps small communities and tribal nations jumpstart infrastructure, housing, technology, aging and economic development projects through low-cost, short-term loans.

Minnesota Primary Care Loan Fund
Loans and financial management assistance to stabilize and strengthen nonprofits in the health care field.

Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program
Loan Repayment program for primary care providers practicing in rural and urban health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in Minnesota.

Northwest Rural Nurse Residency Program
Funding to provide rural nurses in Idaho and the Intermountain Region with a rural generalist residency.

Otto Bremer Foundation Grants
Funding to help build healthy, vibrant communities.

Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service
Awards to Minnesotans who have demonstrated an exceptional personal commitment to helping others in their communities.

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

2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #1: Overview of Findings
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Describes health insurance coverage among farmers and ranchers. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 09 / 2007

2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #2: How Farmers and Ranchers Get Health Insurance and What They Spend for Health Care
Author(s): Carol Pryor, Jeffrey Prottas, Bill Lottero, Mark Rukavina, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines health insurance costs and health care spending of farmers and ranchers. Based on a 2007 survey of farm and ranch operators in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 12 / 2007

2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #3: Who Experiences Financial Hardship Because of Health Care Costs?
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines which farmers and ranchers are at greatest risk of experiencing financial hardship due to health care costs. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 08 / 2008

2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #4: The Costs of Dental Care and the Impact of Dental Insurance Coverage
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Presents data on the costs of dental care, the prevalence of dental debt, and the impact of having dental insurance on the costs of dental care, access to care, and the likelihood that people will experience financial hardship because of health care costs. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 04 / 2009

2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #5: Who is Uninsured?
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines the characteristics of uninsured family farmers and ranchers and the impact of lack of insurance on their financial situation and ability to access care. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 06 / 2009

2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #6: Who Has Medical Debt and What Are the Consequences?
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines the characteristics of farmers and ranchers who had medical debt and the impact of the debt on their financial situation and ability to access care. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 10 / 2009

2007 Health Insurance Survey of Missouri Farm and Ranch Operators, Executive Summary: Health Care in the Heartland
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Sidney Watson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Presents the results of a survey involving 257 Missouri farmers and ranchers to gather data about their health insurance and the burden that health care expenses are placing on farm and ranch families.
Date: 2008

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

Around the Country: EMS Co-op Helps Rural Providers
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Highlights the North Central EMS Cooperative (NCEMSC), a Minnesota-based, EMS co-op that provides a mechanism to achieve cost reductions for members.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Issue Summer
Date: 08 / 2007

By the Numbers: Using Data to Drive Action on Behalf of Children and Families
Author(s): Betsy Rubiner
Sponsoring organization: Annie E. Casey Foundation
Portrays how data collection and analysis have helped decision-making efforts to improve the well-being of low-income working families in Minnesota.
Date: 2007

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 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

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
Date: 08 / 2011

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

Evaluation of the Use of Midlevel Practitioners in Staffing Emergency Departments in Critical Access Versus Non-Critical Access Hospitals in Minnesota
Author(s): Ginger K. Urban
Sponsoring organization: Technical Assistance and Services Center
Describes the results of a survey of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and non-CAHs in Minnesota regarding use of midlevel practitioners in the Emergency Department.
Date: 03 / 2004

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

Facing the Future of Health Care: A Report Detailing Conversations with Twelve Greater Minnesota Communities
Author(s): Barbara Brandt, Jeny Stumpf Kertz
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota
Brief overview of a set of community visits to discuss health care workforce in Minnesota. Includes information on Minnesota demographics, healthcare workforce development, and financial issues.
Date: 01 / 2005

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

Findings from the Minnesota Registered Nurse Workforce Survey
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Highlights of a study that collected detailed information on the state's Registered Nurse workforce.
Date: 01 / 2003

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

Health Care Reform: Addressing the Needs of Rural Minnesotans
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Describes the rural landscape and the context in which health policy decisions play out in rural Minnesota. Highlights the Rural Health Advisory Committee’s options and recommendations.
Date: 10 / 2007

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

Interpreter Services for Patients in Medical and Dental Settings
Sponsoring organization: Interpreter Services Work Group
Outcome of a study involving a work group in Minnesota, who examined ensuring access to interpreter services; complying with requirements of federal law and guidance; developing a quality assurance program to ensure the quality of health care interpreting services; and identifying broad-based funding mechanisms for interpreter services.
Date: 02 / 2008

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 Assess 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.
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

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 Hospitals: Serving and Strengthening our Communities
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Hospital Association
Compiles community benefit data and stories, and economic impact statistics for Minnesota's nonprofit hospitals. Discusses the positive and powerful impact hospitals make in Minnesota.
Date: 2006

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 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

Profile of Minnesota Clinical Laboratory Employment and Operations
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Presents highlights of two surveys conducted regarding workforce issues in Minnesota. Discusses workforce issues nationwide.
Date: 01 / 2005

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

Retaining Rural Nurses: Midwestern Summit on Retaining and Making Best use of the Older More Experienced Rural Registered Nurse
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Highlights of a one-day session, consisting of 25 nurse-leaders from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota who engaged in a series of roundtable discussions on the future of older nurses in rural communities.
Date: 08 / 2007

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 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.

Sense of Identity: Minnesota's Min No Aya Win Human Services Center
Author(s): Rebecca Gross
Sponsoring organization: National Endowment for the Arts
Describes how a tribal human services center added original Ojibwe art to the walls of their health care facility as a way to develop a sense of community ownership and identity.
Date: 2011

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: 02 / 2011

State of Minnesota: Profile of Drug Indicators
Sponsoring organization: White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
Contains information on demographics, political figures, programs, crime, drug use, drug trafficking, and enforcement statistics.
Date: 08 / 2006

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

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

What Needs to be Done About Big Broadband
Author(s): Milda K. Hedblom
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Discusses "big broadband" and if public bodies should invest in and operate the networks in the same way that privately owned companies do. Focuses on rural Minnesota communities.
Journal citation: Rural Minnesota Journal Volume 2 Issue 2
Date: 2007

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

Working Towards a Common Goal: The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
Author(s): Sue Watlov Phillips
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
Identifies how the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless has worked with organizations across its state to develop community-based strategies to combat homelessness.
Date: 2007

See also: Resources for All States: Documents

Journals

Minnesota - Monthly Update
Monthly newsletter containing articles, news, events and more.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

Minnesota - MN Quarterly
Quarterly newsletter containing articles, news, events and more.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

Minnesota - MRHA and Health News
Contains timely news, including upcoming events and articles.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Rural Health Association

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.
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development

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.
Sponsoring organization: Midwest Assistance Program

Success Stories

Community Dental Care
Community Dental Care provides dental care and preventive programs in a culturally and linguistically sensitive manner to low income and ethnic minority families to improve the overall health and quality of life for its patients.

Center for Rural Mental Health Studies at the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth
The Center for Rural Mental Health Studies is integrating mental health into primary care settings for underserved rural populations.

North Region Health Alliance
North Region Health Alliance improved connectivity among the 24 health care providers by implementing a telecommunication infrastructure.

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Page last updated 1/13/2012
Topic last reviewed 10/05/2010

Events
Mar 14, 2012
Leadership Education and Development Series: Leading Change When Change is Hard
National Rural Health Resource Center
Duluth, MN
Contact:
  Sally Trnka
  218.727.9390 x233
  strnka@ruralcenter.org


Jun 6, 2012
Leadership Education and Development Series: Peer Today, Boss Tomorrow
National Rural Health Resource Center
Duluth, MN
Contact:
  Sally Trnka
  218.727.9390 x233
  strnka@ruralcenter.org


Jun 25 - 26, 2012
2012 Minnesota Rural Health Conference
Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Duluth, MN
Call for Presentations - Deadline Feb 3, 2012
Contact:
  Sally Trnka
  218.727.9390
  strnka@ruralcenter.org


Sep 19, 2012
Leadership Education and Development Series: The Power of Three: Time Management, Delegation and SMART Goals
National Rural Health Resource Center
Duluth, MN
Contact:
  Sally Trnka
  218.727.9390 x233
  strnka@ruralcenter.org


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Funding for this project was supported by Grant Number U56RH05539 from the Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents of this website are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the funder.