Weldon Freeman (202) 690-1384
USDA Launches Interactive Map of Opioid Epidemic Resources
Interactive Map Connects Rural Individuals and Communities to Model Practices Across the Country
WASHINGTON, June 14, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today unveiled a new interactive feature on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rural opioid misuse webpage. Now webpage visitors can use an interactive map to learn about, access or replicate actions rural leaders are taking in small towns across the country to address the opioid epidemic through prevention, treatment and recovery opportunities. The interactive map can be viewed at www.usda.gov/topics/opioids/resources-map.
“Leaving no community untouched, the opioid epidemic has taken a monumental toll on many of the small towns and rural places that are the heartbeat of our country,” Hazlett said. “USDA is a strong partner to rural leaders in addressing this issue through programs for prevention, treatment and recovery, as well as programs that build rural resilience and prosperity for the future.”
USDA collected model practices displayed on the interactive map from regional opioid misuse roundtables and through the “What’s working in your town?” form on the USDA opioid misuse webpage. USDA invites you to share effective actions taken in response to the opioid epidemic in rural communities by filling out the “What’s working in your town?” form.
At the direction of President Trump, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been keenly focused on addressing the opioid crisis in rural communities. So far, the Department has convened regional roundtables to hear firsthand accounts of the impact of the crisis and effective strategies for response in rural communities; launched an interactive webpage on opioid misuse in rural America featuring resources for rural communities and individuals facing the crisis; and prioritized investments in three key grant programs to address the crisis in rural places. For more information about these efforts, visit the USDA rural opioid misuse webpage at www.usda.gov/topics/opioids.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump, which included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America.
In the area of quality of life, the Task Force included a recommendation to modernize health care access. The report highlighted the importance of telemedicine in enhancing access to primary care and specialty providers. The Task Force also found that improved access to mental and behavioral health care, particularly prevention, treatment, and recovery resources, is vital to addressing the opioid crisis and other substance misuse in rural communities.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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Dear Dave,
When is the right time to buy a house when someone is following your Baby Steps plan?
Samuel
Dear Samuel,
That’s a good question. Let’s start by going over the first few Baby Steps.
Baby Step 1 is saving $1,000 for a beginner emergency fund. Baby Step 2 is paying off all consumer debt, from smallest to largest, using the debt snowball. Baby Step 3 is where you increase your emergency fund to the point where you have three to six months of expenses set aside.
Once you’ve done all that you can begin saving for a home. I’ll call it Baby Step 3b. For folks looking to buy a house, I advise saving enough money for a down payment of at least 20 percent. I don’t beat people up over mortgage debt, but I do advise them to get a 15-year, fixed rate loan, where the payments are no more than 25 percent of their monthly take-home pay.
Doing it this way may take a little more time, and delay your dream of becoming a homeowner a bit, but buying a house when you’re broke is the quickest way I know to turn something that should be a blessing into a burden!
—Dave
*Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 14 million listeners each week on 585 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey
Dear Dave,
My father died recently. He walked out of my life 25 years ago when I was a teenager, and he never wanted anything to do with me after that. His brothers, who have already paid for some of his final expenses, asked if I wanted to pay to have his body cremated. They didn’t ask for money, they just offered it as a chance to be part of things. I’m in good shape financially, and I could easily afford the cost. Morally, I wonder if I have a responsibility to help with things. Do you feel I’m obligated in any way?
Julie
Dear Julie,
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sorry, too, about what happened with your father. I can’t imagine the mixed emotions you must have in your heart.
When someone asks me a question like this, I try to put myself in their shoes. Under the circumstances, I don’t think you have any obligation whatsoever — morally or legally — to help pay for anything. If you want to help, and you can afford to do so, then follow your heart. At the same time, I don’t think you should lose one wink of sleep over this if you decide not to contribute.
Twenty-five years is long, long time. I don’t know your dad, and I have no clue about his situation or state of mind back then and in the time since. I can’t imagine doing that to a child of any age, though.
Do what you feel in your heart is best. But in my opinion, there’s no obligation here. God bless you, Julie.
—Dave
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Press Release: A Win for Weber County in the Fight Against Intergenerational Poverty
Weber County, Utah - Two grants have been awarded from the Department of Work Force Services for approximately $75,000 each, totaling $150,000 to Weber County and its partners in their efforts to fight against intergenerational poverty. The grants were awarded in partnership with Weber County's IGP team and the Boys and Girls Club. One grant was awarded to Weber County Commission, Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis, and The Roy Cone Project (Weber School District) and the other was awarded to United Way of Northern Utah, Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis and Ogden School District. Both grants will be used for after-school and summer programs for children at risk for intergenerational poverty in Ogden and Roy.
Weber County IGP Strategist, Melissa Freigang, spoke about the recent development:
"With Commissioner Ebert leading the way, our IGP community partners have worked to align efforts efficiently. His strategy to win these collaborative grants and provide critical after-school mentoring in Roy and Ogden demonstrates his leadership as a strategic integrator. We are stronger when we work together and the community benefits."
Kate Bideaux, the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Weber and Davis stated, "These grants open the door to great futures for our youth in Weber County and our Clubs are grateful to partner with our United Way and our County Commissioners to provide these opportunities in our community. Together we are providing hundreds of children with a safe, positive place to go when school is out, as well caring adult professionals to mentor them into becoming responsible citizens."
Bideaux continued, "BGCWD is humbled and thankful to the leadership of Commissioner Ebert and Tim Jackson of United Way of Northern Utah who both answered our call to help us provide our youth with a safe, positive place to go when school is out. Together with our local school district, we will be able to affect the lives of hundreds of youth in need each year through this grant funding."
Commissioner Ebert stated, "This is a hard-fought, well-deserved win for Weber County. We are committed to working with all of the community resources in addressing not only intergenerational poverty but poverty overall."
