The News - University of Illinois Strengthening Rural Families Healthy youth and family development is crucial to the vitality of rural communities. Young adults who see few opportunities leave rural communities, taking with them part of the community's future.
Many rural children experience family stress, such as divorce or parental loss.
Stress can affect their grades and the development of skills they need as adults, yet few sources of help are available in rural communities. The Illinois Rural Families Program organizes University of Illinois faculty expertise to help rural communities ensure the healthy development of their children, youth and families. Agencies and rural organizations have asked for help. As a result of the program, researchers made policy recommendations for improving the availability and types of child care programs that enable working rural families to be more effective members of the workforce. Program efforts have also resulted in new prevention resources being introduced to more than 25 rural schools.