Strategies for improving out-of-school programs in rural communities

Abstract

BACKGROUND Young people who live in rural areas are less likely to finish high school 1 and to complete college 2 than their urban and suburban peers. These adolescents are also more likely to use drugs and alcohol. 3 In fact, rural adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 have the highest levels of drug use in this age group. 4 Out-ofschool time programs in rural areas can provide healthy and constructive activities that offer productive ways for children and youth to spend their time, build positive relationships, and receive academic support. 5,6,7,8 This brief highlights the challenges faced by rural out-of-school programs and suggests several strategies that can strengthen these programs. WHAT ARE RURAL COMMUNITIES? Rural communities are areas located outside of urbanized or metropolitan areas, with populations of 10,000 or larger. 9 Rural communities also include non-metropolitan towns 10 of fewer than 2,500 residents. 11 These towns are often located in open areas outside of suburban communities 12 and are sparsely populated. 13 The United States has approximately 2,000 rural counties, which cover 75 percent of U.S. land. 14 Nearly onefifth of all Americans live in rural areas. 15 WHAT SPECIAL CHALLENGES DO RURAL OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FACE? Out-of-school programs in rural areas share many of the same challenges that programs in other areas face, such as coping with limited funding and addressing staff recruitment and retention issues. But studies have also identified unique challenges that can hinder the success of rural out-of-school programs: Rural programs serve at-risk populations. Although many rural areas are not impoverished, 16 communities farther away from urban areas have higher poverty rates than those adjacent to urban areas. 17 Nearly one in five rural children lives in poverty, compared with 15 percent of children in urban areas. 18 Socioeconomic disadvantages and limited health services put some rural youth at risk of academic failure or participation in "risky behaviors," such as substance abuse or criminal activity. 19 One in five rural children is food insecure (that is, he or she has limited, uncertain, or no access to nutritious or safe foods 20). Geographic isolation can also limit access to health care and other social services. Correspondingly, limited preventive services can contribute to an increased risk of poorer mental health. 21 Living in a rural area is also associated with higher teen suicide risk, as research links geographic isolation and a heightened risk of suicide among the male teen population. 22 Suicide rates in some rural communities are among the highest in the nation. 23 Geographic isolation can contribute to poor access to transportation. Rural communities are often spread over large geographic areas, resulting in long travel distances between children's homes and program sites. 24 Children in impoverished rural households are three times more likely to be without transportation than are children from non-rural households. 25 Rural areas often lack public transp...

The Plight of Parents/Caregivers of Children with Heart Disease in the Rural Areas of Namibia: A Problem of Coping

“…The participants were from rural areas in three different regions of Namibia and were of low socioeconomic status and living in households headed by a subsistence farmer. Accordingly, these criteria place the parents/caregivers at risk of poor coping ( Collins et al, 2008) . For the purposes of data collection, it was decided to select participants from different regions and cultural practices in Namibia in order to verify the assumption that socioeconomic factors affect coping experiences similarly across cultures in Namibia ( Streubert-Speziale & Carpenter, 2007 ).…”

“…Many of these children live in rural areas and their parents/caregivers have a low level of education and, consequently, no secure sources of incomes, depending on subsistence agriculture only. Thus, as in any situation of poverty, parents are unable to provide the necessary care ( Collins, Bronte-Tinkew, & Logan, 2008 ).Taking care of a child with heart disease then becomes a daunting task because of the complexity of such disease and the financial burden that the demands of care place on these parents.…”

Beyond routine care for children with heart diseases from the vulnerable context: A clinical practice perspective

“…However, it transpired from the study [7] and in concurrence with the existing literature [8] that providing care at home for these children, becomes problematic for some families who are from the rural areas in Namibia. The families are unable to provide effective care at home because they have no secure sources of income.…”

Substance use among rural adolescents with incarcerated parents: Evidence from a state‐wide sample

“…8 This is likely exacerbated in rural areas by increased geographic isolation and fewer opportunities for prosocial out-of-school time. 49,50 It is accordingly Importantly, expanding access to health services on the microservice delivery level must come in tandem with advocacy and policy change at the macro level that employs targeted decarceration, particularly in rural communities. The Vera Institute of Justice put forward a toolkit for achieving new approaches to community safety and justice which includes identifying drivers of incarceration and building locally tailored solutions.…”

“…Specifically for adolescents with past or current PI, there is an increased risk of lack of social support and connection 8 . This is likely exacerbated in rural areas by increased geographic isolation and fewer opportunities for prosocial out‐of‐school time 49,50 . It is accordingly critical to meet these adolescents where they are with approaches to substance use prevention and treatment that are tailored to their specific needs.…”