Texas is referred to as "The Lone Star State" that is symbolized by the star on the 1836 flag of the republic. It is a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. Texas is the top producer of oil in the nation, but it also leads in beef production, cotton production as well as the space industry and technology. Texas covers 261,797 square miles, with a 2011 estimated population of 25,674,681 people – 3,075,379 living in rural Texas (USDA-ERS). Austin, the capital, is located in the south-central region of the state. The state’s largest cities are Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 80.9% of the state’s population is white, 12.2% Black/African American, 4.0% is Asian, and 38.1% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2011).
There are 426 hospitals in Texas (Kaiser, 2010), 149 of which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Dec. 2008). The state has 80 hospitals identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (March 2013). There are 313 Rural Health Clinics in Texas (Kaiser, 2012), and 64 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 309 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2010). Most Texans have some form of health insurance coverage, although 24.0% of its residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2011).
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Texans in 2009 was $38,609, although rural per-capita income lagged at $31,262. Estimates from 2010 indicate a poverty rate of 20.4% exists in rural Texas, compared to a 17.5% level in urban areas of the state. 2010 ACS data reports that 24.2% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 19.4% of urban populations. The unemployment rate in rural Texas is 7.8% and in urban Texas is 7.9% (USDA-ERS, 2011).
For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau: State & County QuickFacts; 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;
Organizations
Attorney General of Texas: Child Support Services
State government
The official child support enforcement agency for the State of Texas, the Office of the Attorney General provides services for parents who wish to obtain or provide support for their children.
Baptist Health System, San Antonio, Texas
Local organization
Dedicated to the Christian mission of providing quality healthcare to all persons seeking medical care, hospitalization and other health related services.
Border Counties Coalition
State/regional organization
A nonpartisan, consensus-based policy and technical forum founded to address challenges facing county governments located on the United States/Mexico Border.
Border Epidemiology and Environmental Health Center (BEC)
State/regional organization
Mechanism to establish, organize and develop technical health activities that enhance the quality of life of the people living on the border region of United States and Mexico, focused on New Mexico-Chihuahua-West Texas border
CentrEast Regional Extension Center: Texas
State/regional organization
One of four State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) serving Texas that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
Community Resource Group (CRG)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Assists rural communities in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas to solve water and waste disposal problems and provides information technology guidance to nonprofit organizations.
East Texas Area Health Education Center
State/regional organization
Works to improve the health of communities by developing a quality health workforce and helping address unmet health needs.
Gulf Coast Regional Extension Center: Texas (GCREC)
State/regional organization
One of four State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) serving Texas that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
State/regional organization
Addresses emerging challenges in mental health by contributing to improve mental health services, research, public policy, and public education for Texas and the nation.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Texas
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC)
International organization
Mission is to provide sensitive, timely, and fiscally responsible boundary water and environmentally services along the Mexican and United States border region.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region (NN/LM-SCR)
State/regional organization
Supports collaboration among libraries and information centers that serve health information needs in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
North Texas Regional Extension Center (NTREC)
State/regional organization
One of four State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) serving Texas that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
Oficina de Salud Fronteriza del Departamento de Servicios de Salud de Texas
State government
Promotes and protects the health of border residents by reducing community and environmental health hazards along the Texas-Mexico border, in collaboration with communities and U.S. and Mexican local, state, and federal entities.
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
International organization
Works to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. Serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System and as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization. It is an international public health agency, and part of the United Nations.
South Texas Area Health Education Center
State/regional organization
Committed to improving the health status and quality of life for residents of South Texas by improving access to culturally competent and quality health care through preparation, composition, and distribution of the health professional workforce in the underserved and highly impoverished in 38 counties.
South Texas Center
Academic/Research
Provides training in public health, assesses training needs for promotoras, increases access to care for residents, and conducts research on community health.
Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC)
State/regional organization
One of four regional rural development centers in the nation. Works to strengthen the region's 29 land-grant institutions in addressing rural development issues. Serves a 13 state area in the Southern region which includes TX, LA, AR, OK, AL, MS, GA, FL, KY, SC, NC, VA, and TN.
Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Inc. (TACAA)
State/regional organization
A private nonprofit corporation created to provide a unified voice for Community Action Agencies in advocacy, policy, programmatic and legislative issues and innovative hunger relief programs affecting families and communities in the state of Texas.
Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC)
State/regional organization
A private, non-profit membership association that represents safety-net health care providers in the state of Texas.
Texas Association of Rural Health Clinics (TARHC)
State government
Provides services and benefits to rural health clinics in the state including technical assistance, listing of clinics, educational opportunities, recruitment assistance, and more.
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)
State government
Provides a comprehensive array of aging and disability services, supports, and opportunities that are easily accessed in local communities.
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
State government
Works in partnership with Texans with disabilities and families with children who have developmental delays to improve the quality of their lives and to enable their full participation in society.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
State government
Protects the unprotected - children, elderly, and people with disabilities - from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: Adult Protective Services (APS)
State government
The agency responsible for investigating abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are elderly or have disabilities.
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
State government
Provides a variety of housing and community development services that includes low interest mortgage financing, emergency food or shelter, rental subsidy, energy assistance, weatherization, economic development, and the basic public infrastructure for small rural communities; also provides titling, licensing, inspection, enforcement, and customer service in connection with manufactured housing.
Texas Department of State Health Services
State government
An agency of the Texas Health and Human Services System.
Texas Department of State Health Services: Community Mental Health
State government
The state agency responsible for delivering evidence-based mental health and related services, fostering recovery, improving quality of life, and meeting the multiple needs of mental health consumers across the life span.
Texas Department of Transportation - Public Transportation Division
State/regional organization
Provides financial and technical assistance to urban, rural and elderly or disabled transit providers. The division also represents transit in the planning and programming process and prepares funding-needs projections. Oversees the public transportation grants throughout the State of Texas.
Texas Education Agency: Special Education (TEA)
State government
Provides leadership, guidance, and resources to help schools meet the educational needs of all students.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
State government
Provides leadership and direction, and fosters the spirit of innovation needed to achieve an efficient and effective health and human services system for Texans.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Office for the Elimination of Health Disparities (OEHD)
State government
Optimizes the health and wellness of Texas residents by developing and strengthening systems and services to monitor, analyze, and assess the health needs of underserved populations throughout the state.
Texas Hospital Association (THA)
State/regional organization
Advocate for Texas hospitals representing the interests of Texas hospitals and health systems.
Texas Medical Association (TMA)
State/regional organization
Membership organization representing physicians in Texas.
Texas Office of Border Health (OBH)
State government
Promotes and protects the health of border residents by reducing community and environmental health hazards along the Texas-Mexico border, in collaboration with communities and U.S. and Mexican local, state, and federal entities.
Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCHNet)
State/regional organization
Dedicated to assisting general acute care hospitals of 150 beds and less by addressing the issues unique to rural and community hospitals and recognizing their many contributions to rural health care.
The organization provides legislative and regulatory advocacy, specialized programs, publications, services and resources for rural and community hospitals; and supports rural and community hospitals as the focal point for health care delivery in the community.
Texas Rural Health Association (TRHA)
State/regional organization
Works to improve the health of rural Texans. Composed of individuals and organizations dedicated to providing leadership on rural health care issues through advocacy, communication, and education.
Texas State Office of Rural Health
State government
Serves as the primary state resource in planning, coordinating, and advocating statewide efforts to ensure continued access to rural health care services.
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
State government
The state government agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers of Texas.
TexLa Telehealth Resource Center
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 in Texas and Louisiana.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Texas (HUD)
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.
United States - Mexico Border Health Commission (USMBHC)
International organization
Provides international leadership to optimize health and quality of life along the U.S.-Mexico border. Comprised of the federal secretaries of health, the chief health officers of the ten border states and prominent community health professionals from both nations. The USMBHC brings together the two countries and its border states to solve border health problems.
University of Texas School of Public Health (UTSPH)
Academic/Research
Works to meet the public health education and research needs of the diverse populations across Texas. UTSPH is located in the Texas Medical Center, Houston.
USDA Rural Development Texas 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.
West Texas Area Health Education Center
State/regional organization
Addresses the health care provider shortage and improves health care access in West Texas through education and development of the health care workforce.
West Texas Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (WT-HITREC)
State/regional organization
One of four State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) serving Texas that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
Tools
Border Health Topic Guide
Website
Information and resources about US-Mexico border health issues.
Borderland Information Center
Website
Provides geographic data within 100 kilometers of each side of the Texas/Mexico border (as defined in the La Paz agreement) for the public and private sectors.
EMS Trauma Systems
Website
Provides a variety of information, funding announcements, contacts and other resources related to emergency medical services and trauma.
ERS State Fact Sheet: Texas
Website
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Texas
Website
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM South Central Region: Texas Resources
Website
Overview of the state, with links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for Texas.
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.
Southern Rural Development Center: Success Stories
Website
Describes successful programs involving states within the coverage region of the Southern Rural Development Center: stories currently feature Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas.
Texas 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.
Texas KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Website
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS)
Website
Provides a centralized information system incorporating all Texas natural resource data, socioeconomic data related to natural resources, and indexes related to that data that are collected by state agencies or other entities.
Texas QuickFacts
Website
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Texas State Health Facts
Database
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.
U.S.- Mexico Border HIV/AIDS Resource Directory
Website
Connects HIV/AIDS resources with community needs along the U.S.-Mexico Border. Provides local, regional and national information on HIV/AIDS training resources for a range of health care providers, and HIV/AIDS-related services for both providers, and consumers.
United States - Mexico Public Health
Website
Provides information about health issues unique to the border region, CDC's border and binational programs and activities, the Technical Guidelines for United States—Mexico Coordination on Public Health Events of Mutual Interest, and resources for colleagues working on border/binational public health issues.
See also: State-by-State Resources: Tools Funding
Aetna Foundation Regional Grants
Funds community wellness initiatives focusing on healthy food and activity that serve low-income, underserved, or minority populations.
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.
Downtown Revitalization Program
Awards matching grant funds to stimulate economic growth through public infrastructure improvements to aid in the elimination of slum and blight conditions in the historic downtown areas of rural Texas communities.
El Paso Community Foundation Grants
Grants to organizations that work in the areas of arts, education, environment/animals, health, disabilities, human services, and economic development.
Entergy Micro Grants
Provides grants for projects that effectively impact arts and culture; community improvement/enrichment; education and literacy; the environment; or healthy families.
First Children's Finance Loan Fund
Loans and technical assistance to child care and early education businesses, especially those serving lower-income communities.
Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grants
Grants for organizations projects that focus on education, the environment, community enhancement, affordable housing, arts and culture, and entrepreneurship.
Kerr Foundation Grants
Provides grants in the areas of education, health, cultural development, and community service.
Main Street Improvements Program
Provides eligible Texas Main Street communities with matching grants to expand or enhance public infrastructure in historic main street areas.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region Funding
Provides funding for National Network of Libraries members located in the South Central region to assist them in conducting outreach and technology projects.
Texas Be Wise - Immunize Grants
Grants to implement local vaccination programs for underserved or uninsured populations in Texas.
Texas Capital Fund Infrastructure Development
Provides grants for Infrastructure Development to create or retain permanent jobs in rural areas of Texas.
Texas Capital Fund Real Estate Development Loans
Provides a zero-interest loan to fund real estate acquisition or improvements to create or retain permanent jobs in primarily rural communities and counties.
Texas Colonia Construction Fund (CFC)
Funding to support community development projects such as sewer, water, and housing rehabilitation in severely distressed unincorporated areas known as colonias in Texas.
Texas Colonia Planning Fund
Provides assistance for the completion of planning activities that prepare colonia areas for water, sewer, and housing improvements.
Texas Disaster Relief Fund
Funding for disaster relief and urgent needs assistance.
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.
Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund
Awards grants in various rural and urban areas where Weyerhaeuser does business. Funds programs that work in the areas of affordable housing and shelter; education and youth development; environmental stewardship; and human services.
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
Around the Country: Local Programs Help Patients Navigate Medical Care
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
A look at patient navigator programs in four states: a statewide program in Georgia; a program in Kentucky for cervical cancer patients; a promotores program in Texas for chronic conditions; and a coordinated care program for cancer patients in Vermont.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Volume 2012 Issue Spring
Date: 05 / 2012
Assessing Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response of Rural Veterinarians: Experiences and Training Needs
Author(s): Chiehwen Ed Hsu, Holly Jacobsen, Katherine Feldman, Jerry A. Miller, Lori Rodriguez, Francisco Soto Mas
Reports an assessment of the bioterrorism preparedness of rural veterinarians in North Texas, suggesting that many of these veterinarians could benefit from additional training in bioterrorism preparedness and response.
Journal citation: Journal of Veterinary Medical Education Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages: 262-268
Date: 2008
Assessing Mental Health Needs of Rural Schools in South Texas: Counselors’ Perspectives
Author(s): Steve F. Bain, Breeze Rueda, Jennifer Mata-Villarreal, Marie-Anne Mundy
Sponsoring organization: Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Describes results from a survey on the mental health resource needs and issues of rural schools in South Texas. Presents national and state level data on mental health services and needs.
Border County Health Workforce Profiles: Texas
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
Provides information on the health workforce, relevant population characteristics, and basic health indicators for the U.S.-Mexico Border region in the State of Texas.
Date: 05 / 2007
Border Report: A Status Report On The Health Of People In El Paso County, Texas And Dona Ana County, New Mexico
Sponsoring organization: Paso del Norte Health Foundation
Presents selected health information on two communities in the U.S. - Mexico border region. Information is based on the 2005 Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a telephone-based survey of randomly-selected adults. The survey gathered information about many health conditions and personal behaviors that affect health across the United States.
Date: 2005
Building Medical Homes: Lessons from Eight States with Emerging Programs
Author(s): Neva Kaye, Jason Buxbaum, Mary Takach
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
Profiles eight states that are at different stages in the development and implementation of a medical home program. Includes Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Texas, and Virginia.
Date: 12 / 2011
Case Studies of Wealth Creation and Rural-Urban Linkages
Author(s): Brian Dabson, Jennifer Jensen, Alan Okagaki, Adam Blair, Megan Carroll
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Rural Futures Lab
Analyzes four economic case studies in Oregon, New Orleans, Nebraska and Texas. Describes key concepts involved in wealth creation and rural-urban linkages.
Date: 04 / 2012
Challenges for Human Services: Rural Helping: Trusted, Organized and Flexible
Author(s): Kathleen Belanger
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
After Hurricane Katrina, the town of Nacogdoches, Tex., proved that the best local help must involve organizations that are community-based, flexible, connected, and trusted.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Volume 2011 Issue Fall
Date: 11 / 2011
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
Demographic and Economic Profile: Texas
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Presents demographics, economics, and research on Texas. Includes statistics, data, maps, charts, and graphs.
Date: 10 / 2008
Guide to Understanding Mental Health Systems and Services in Texas
Sponsoring organization: Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
A general overview of the behavioral health care delivery system and the services provided under various Texas state agencies that are funded in full or in part with state appropriations.
Date: 11 / 2012
Profiles of State Innovation: Roadmap for Managing Long-Term Supports and Services
Author(s): Alice Link, Suzanne Gore, Lindsay Barnette, Stephen Somers
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
Identifies five states that demonstrate expertise in managed care approaches for individuals with long-term care needs. States included are Arizona, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Date: 11 / 2010
Rural Dropout Problem: An Invisible Achievement Gap
Author(s): Jerry Johnson, Marty Strange, Karen Madden
Sponsoring organization: Rural School and Community Trust
Reviews high school dropout rates and related factors in rural high schools throughout 15 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.
Date: 2010
Small Business Profile: Texas
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
Southern Rural Development Center: 2011 Annual Report: Regional Innovations, National Applications
Sponsoring organization: Southern Rural Development Center
Describes the programs and progress of the Southern Rural Development Center, one of four regional centers coordinating rural development research and extension education programs.
Date: 2012
Texas at Work: Today and Tomorrow
Author(s): Jason Sabo, Carlos Romo, Patrick Bresette, Chris Pieper
Examines the Texas' workforce: the living conditions and public policies affecting hard working, but
low-income, workers.
Date: 08 / 2003
Texas Health Care Landscape
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured
Overview of the demographics, population health, the uninsured and Medicaid in the State of Texas.
Date: 12 / 2011
Town-level Comparisons May be an Effective Alternative in Comparing Rural and Urban Differences: A Look at Accidental Traumatic Brain Injuries in North Texas Children
Author(s): Brian Robertson, Charles McConnell
Summarizes the results of examined data on North Texas pediatric traumatic brain injury among four levels of rurality: urban city, large town, small town, and isolated town.
Journal citation: Rural and Remote Health Volume 11 Issue Online Pages: 1521
Date: 01 / 2011
Wind Energy and Rural Development: A Case Study of West Texas
Author(s): Adam Paul Blair
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Rural Futures Lab
Discusses wind energy in Texas as a means of rural economic development and the important rural-urban linkages that comprise the wind industry value and supply chains.
Date: 03 / 2012
See also: State-by-State Resources: Documents Success Stories
Ogallala Commons
Ogallala Commons is a nonprofit community development network, offering leadership and education to promote community socio-economic development in the Great Plains region that is centered over the High Plains-Ogallala Aquifer, from South Dakota to Texas.
Texas Independence Program
The Texas Independence Program (TIP) is designed to reduce the need for long-term institutional placement and increase options in the community for frail elderly and disabled residents of Texas' Colorado, Lavaca, and Jackson Counties.
EMS Co-op Helps Rural Providers
Using the power of group purchasing within a cooperative structure, the North Central EMS Cooperative (NCEMSC) is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) cooperative developed to serve Minnesota and surrounding states.
|
