Supporting Rural Communities
Supporting Rural Communities
ACF is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of families and individuals no matter where they reside by leading and partnering with others to provide essential human services. To support this mission, the Office of Regional Operations (ORO) partners with others who provide essential human services and share best practices.
As part of ACF’s ongoing commitment to equity, and in alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration's Rural Strategy — which has taken steps to improve the lives of children and families in rural areas — ORO has created a comprehensive engagement strategy to connect with rural communities across the U.S. and improve the overall human services delivery in these areas. By engaging directly with these communities, we aim to understand their unique needs and provide support in a culturally respectful way.
Key Needs in Rural Communities
- Access to essential services
- Addressing the cost of living
- Building local capacity and resources
- Ensuring everyone has fair access to services
- Partnering with local organizations to overcome challenges
- Connecting rural communities with federal support
- Innovating to support rural development
Our Engagement Efforts Include:
- Collecting data on ACF funding, resources, and activities that benefit rural communities and tribal areas.
- Promoting ACF programs to enhance human services in these communities.
- Developing culturally sensitive approaches that build trust and strong partnerships by listening and learning from communities.
- Co-hosting community meetings and listening sessions in each of ACF’s 10 regional service areas to gather feedback, build partnerships, and find ways to address needs and leverage community strengths. These sessions focused on the needs of different groups within rural communities, such as Tribal members, LGBTQIA+ individuals, parents and fathers, and people with mental health needs.