Wisconsin does not currently have a State Rural Health Association (SRHA).  In the 1990's one existed and met regularly, but it disbanded due to faltering attendance.  In 2010, attendees at the Rural Health Summit discussed recreating it, with a group vote to proceed.  In order to do so, two things must be identified: an over-arching goal for its existence, and a champion (or champions) who are willing to invest enough time in making it happen.  

A description of SRHAs from the National Rural Health Association (NRHA)

State Rural Health Associations (SRHAs) constitute the framework of the NRHA's local rural community outreach program. Each SRHA focuses exclusively on improving the health and well-being of rural Americans living in their state, and also serves as a conduit for rural communities to communicate needs and successes at a regional and national level.

The National Rural Health Association works closely with all SRHAs to ensure they have the skills and resources required to assess the needs in their state and create and implement programs to address them. The NRHA offers technical assistance grants to each SRHA and to NRHA members hoping to establish SRHAs. The NRHA also offers an annual Skill-Building Workshop specifically for SRHAs to gain the tools needed to grow and address the needs of their community. A NRHA staff member is available to help SRHAs with any problems or issues they might encounter. For assistance, contact Derek Dye at 202-639-0550.

The NRHA, in conjunction with active SRHAs and the federal Office of Rural Health Policy, created and published a manual for SRHAs. Download Strategies for Success: How to Build and Maintain an Effective State Rural Health Association to learn more.

The State Association Council (SAC) is comprised of representatives from each SRHA, who meet regularly in person and on conference calls to learn about the latest happenings in rural health on the national level, and to provide feedback to NRHA about what's happening in their state.

To view a list of upcoming SRHA events including state rural health conferences, click here.