Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will fund 81 Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) projects in 32 states. These projects will help connect rural communities with medical and educational experts in other parts of the country, increasing access to health care, substance misuse treatment and advanced educational opportunities.
“Using technology for educational opportunities and medical care can provide services that are often unavailable in rural areas,” Vilsack said. “USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program helps communities better meet the needs of their residents. For example, opioid and other substance misuse disproportionately affect rural areas, and telemedicine is proving to be an effective tool for treating patients when experts otherwise would be unavailable. Hospitals, schools and training centers across the country are successfully using telecommunications to deliver specialized care to area residents, and we are proud to bring these capabilities to 81 additional communities.”
USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “I am so pleased these five Maine organizations from across our state have received grants through this important program. Distance learning and telemedicine services are critical to the quality of life for rural Maine residents, and these funds will ensure that these programs are accessible, regardless of their rural location.”
In Maine, five organizations have been selected to receive Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants totaling of $1,644,596:
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MaineHealth, in Portland, has been selected to receive a grant in the amount of $398,692. Rural Development funds will be used to install telehealth videoconferencing carts at six rural medical clinics in rural Maine. Three more telehealth videoconferencing carts will be provided to three home health agency sites to suppler patient needs. These will provide patients’ connection to specialists located at three major hospitals in Maine. This project will provide healthcare to those in disadvantaged communities and prevent the need for lengthy travel for healthcare consultations.
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Regional School Unit 87 (dba Maine School Administrative District 23), in Carmel, has been selected to receive a grant in the amount of $312,744. Rural Development funds will be used to purchase video-telepresence equipment that will enable real-time distance learning among MSAD #23, the University of Maine, United Technologies Center, RSU #34, RSU #25, RSU #31, RSU #63, RSU #67 and the Houlton Band of the Maliseet Indians’ Head Start Program to provide access to live interactive educational activities i.e., Advanced Placement & dual-enrollment college classes, vocational training, professional development and continuing education courses.
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Maine School Administrative District 33, in Frenchville, has been selected to receive a grant in the amount of $366,459. Rural Development funds will be used to purchase video-telepresence equipment that will enable real-time distance learning activities among Maine School Administrative District #33 (MSDA #33) and partners: Northern Maine Community College, MSDA #1, MSAD #24, MSAD #27, MSAD #54, MSAD #70, Regional School Unit #39, the Madawaska School Department and the Aroostook Band of the Micmacs to provide rural students & adult learners with access to relevant content i.e., Advanced Placement courses & dual-enrollment college classes, vocational training, professional development and continuing education courses. This project includes the Tribal Trust area of Aroostook Band of Micmacs of Presque Isle, Maine.
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Maine School Administrative District 4, in Guilford, has been selected to receive a grant in the amount of $239,235. Rural Development funds will be used to establish a distance learning network that connects instructors at the Maine Tri-County Technology Center to students in ten rural schools in Maine, three rural schools in New Hampshire, as well as the Passamaquoddy Recreation Boys & Girls Club located in the Indian Township of Passamaquoddy, Maine.
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Regional School Unit 13, in Rockland, has been selected to receive a total of $327,466. Rural Development funds will be used to purchase video-telepresence equipment that will enable real-time distance learning interactions among Regional School Unit #13, the Chewonki Foundation, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, the Catawba Indian Nation, the Monhegan Island School and AOS 93 to provide rural students, educators and adult learners with access to science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) classes i.e., Advanced Placement courses & dual-enrollment college classes, vocational training, professional development and continuing education courses.
USDA is awarding $23.4 million in grants to support 45 distance learning and 36 telemedicine projects Nationwide.
USDA Rural Development has provided $213 million for 634 DLT projects in rural areas nationwide since 2009. USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, which administers the DLT program, also offers infrastructure programs that bring broadband, safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment facilities to rural communities.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development (@USDARD ) has helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses; invested $31.3 billion in 963 electric projects that have financed more than 185,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving 4.6 million rural residents; helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; and funded nearly 7,000 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities. USDA also has invested $11 billion to start or expand 103,000 rural businesses. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results.
USDA Rural Development has Area Offices located in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston, and Scarborough, as well as a State Office, located in Bangor. There are 54 employees working to deliver the agency’s Housing, Business, and Community Programs, which are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, and farmers, and improve the quality of life in rural Maine. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/me.