Columbus, Ohio, May 14, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken today announced a $1 million award to Jefferson Area Local Schools in Ashtabula County to expand educational opportunities and provide increased access to behavioral health care services and resources.
“We are proud to partner with Jefferson Area Local Schools to ensure students have access to the educational and telemedicine resources they need for a healthy, safe, and productive future,” said McCracken. “Connection is everything in an interconnected world, and this investment underscores USDA’s commitment to ensuring people living in rural communities are positioned for success.”
The award was made through USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program. These grants help rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology for increased connectivity so they can overcome the effects of remoteness and low population density, increasing access to social, educational, and economic opportunities.
Jefferson Area Local Schools will use funding to establish six hub and/or end user sites. These sites will be equipped to provide one-on-one or group educational classes and conduct tele-behavioral health or telemedicine services. When operational, the system is expected to provide services to more than 1,600 students and 3,600 community members.
Additionally, more than 600 first responders, health care workers, teachers, and farmworkers will use the technology to access professional development training, continuing education courses, certification workshops, and conferences.
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USDA Rural Development has five offices in Ohio – Columbus, Findlay, Hillsboro, Marietta, and Massillon. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Ohio, call (614) 255-2400 or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/oh.