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2022

Distance Learning and Online Coordination of Service in Pennsylvania’s Rural School Districts

December 14, 2022  | Education

The purpose of this research was to: 1) understand the specific problems that rural school districts encountered during the pandemic; 2) learn how these districts responded to their unique challenges; and 3) identify the policies, practices, and resources that are needed for Pennsylvania rural schools to be better prepared for the next emergency that could close schools for an extended period.

Executive Summary

Tags:  distance learning , rural schools , 1:1 computing devices , teacher shor , state and federal regulations , teacher shortages , mental health , broadband

An Analysis of Pennsylvania's Children

November 22, 2022  | Rural People and Communities

This study used secondary data from multiple sources to present a short analysis of Pennsylvania children (ages 0-17) over the 10-year period of 2010-2019. It analyzed trends pertaining to children along seven different dimensions, including location, demographics, economic circumstances, education, health care, health, and behaviors. The results indicate that both rural and urban children have seen some improvements in economic circumstances, healthcare, and health from 2010 to 2019. However, there are opportunities to improve outcomes for children overall.

Tags:  education , health care , children , economic

Social Determinants of Health in the Age of COVID: Effects of Social Isolation Among Adults 62+ in Rural Pennsylvania

November 03, 2022  | Rural People and Communities

This study analyzed the extent of social isolation among rural Pennsylvanians aged 62 or older, evaluated the determinants of social isolation among older residents, identified evidence-based programs and services that minimize social isolation, and assessed potential replicability in Pennsylvania.

Executive Summary

Tags:  older adults , social isolation , me , rural communities , mental health

Assessment and Analysis of Housing Quality and Policies in Rural Pennsylvania

September 29, 2022  | Health Care and Human Services

The purpose of this study was to assess housing quality and related policies and programs in rural Pennsylvania. The research goals and objectives focused on four areas: gaining a quantitative understanding of housing quality for rural Pennsylvania communities; understanding barriers faced by rural residents in securing loans to address home improvement; understanding municipal policy and implementation regarding housing maintenance codes; and developing policy considerations that address the key issues regarding housing quality in rural Pennsylvania.

Executive Summary

Tags:  housing quality index , sub-quality housing , rural housing , property maintenance codes , housing finance programs

Analyzing the Effects of COVID-19 on Educational Equity in Rural Pennsylvania School Districts

August 25, 2022  | Education

Using a mixed methods approach that combined state-level institutional data, local interviews with school administrators, and school district data, this research examined how COVID-19 has (re)shaped rural school districts’ ongoing efforts to identify and address equity concerns along geographic, fiscal, instructional, and racial/ethnic lines across Pennsylvania.

Executive Summary

Tags:  education , education equity , rural education , covid-19

Coroner/Medical Examiner Services in Pennsylvania

August 02, 2022  | Health Care and Human Services

This research provides information about Pennsylvania coroner/medical examiners (C/MEs) and their offices. It examined office caseloads, funding, facilities, forensic capacity, vehicles and equipment, and staffing and training resources. It also assessed how the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic affected county C/ME offices.

Executive Summary

Tags:  coroner , medical examiner , opiods , covid-19

COVID-19 Effects on Pennsylvania Crime Trends: A Rural/Urban Comparison

June 30, 2022  | Rural People and Communities

The goals of the research were to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic triggered or heightened the crimes of murder and abuse in Pennsylvania, and to identify rural-urban differences in these outcomes both before and during the pandemic.

Executive Summary

Tags:  covid , murder , crime

Rural Youth Survey: Trends and Developments in the Attitudes and Aspirations of Rural Pennsylvania Youth

May 18, 2022  | Rural People and Communities

The goals of this project were to document the educational, career, and residential aspirations of rural youth today, to examine the community, family, and peer factors that might shape these aspirations, and to detail the opportunities and barriers that youth experience.

Executive Summary

Tags:  education , residential aspirations , career aspirations , youth

Access to Maternity and Obstetric Care in Rural Pennsylvania

April 22, 2022  | Health Care and Human Services

This study examined access to maternity care in rural Pennsylvania. Maternity care (also known as obstetric care) can be defined as health care services delivered to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum. Access to maternity care is defined as the availability of birthing facilities (hospitals or birth centers) and practitioners (physicians and midwives) providing these health services.

Executive Summary

Tags:  maternity care , maternal care , children

Profile of Rural PA Women 2022

March 21, 2022  | Rural People and Communities

This research provides a profile of the social and economic well-being of rural Pennsylvania women through a detailed understanding of their lives, livelihoods, and families. It used data from the 2005-2009 and 2014-2018 American Community Survey (ACS).

Executive Summary

Tags:  women , families

Analysis of 2017 Census of Agriculture Data

February 21, 2022  | Agriculture

This study examined the agricultural industry in Pennsylvania and provides descriptive profiles of farm operations and farmers, as well as trends in Pennsylvania agriculture.

Executive Summary

Tags:  farming , farmers , trends , agriculture

Pennsylvania Broadband Access: A Speed Test Analysis

February 11, 2022  | Infrastructure

Access to affordable broadband technology has been a long-standing challenge for many rural Pennsylvanians. In November 2021, the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act set aside $65 billion to improve access to high-speed internet across the nation. Part of that act requires states to prioritize projects for those with the most limited access to broadband connections. The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Act 96 of 2021 shortly after the federal law. Act 96 established the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority to improve internet access across the Commonwealth.

Appendix

Tags:  broadband , internet

Access to Mental Health Services in Rural Pennsylvania

January 24, 2022  | Health Care and Human Services

This research assessed the demand for mental health services in rural Pennsylvania with a focus on youth and the elderly. It identified challenges these populations face in accessing mental health care to provide options for improving and expanding mental health care services for underserved rural Pennsylvanians.

Executive Summary

Tags:  mental health , youth , elderly

Introducing the Center's new journal, Rural Policy: The Research Bulletin of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.