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National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) 

Do you have a physical, mental, emotional, or health condition? If you answered ‘yes,’ please share your knowledge and experience through the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD). Administered by our friends at the Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies at Kansas University — the results will be used to develop resources and policy and practice recommendations to address issues that affect the health, employment, and lives of Americans with disabilities!

RTC:Rural Trainings 

Are you looking for some spring rejuvenation or a way to jumpstart strategic planning initiatives? RTC:Rural has a host of trainings available to advance your independent living goals or train your team on best practices. Read about a few of our offerings below. 

RISE Training 

The Rural Independence and Self-Sufficiency Education (RISE) Training program is designed to empower rural consumers who use personal assistance services by addressing the unique challenges they face. RISE training helps rural consumers of personal assistance services build skills for independent living in their communities. It can also be used jointly by consumers and personal assistance workers to improve how you work together.

Rural Outreach Training 

Does your organization struggle to reach the most rural parts of your service area? Are you interested in expanding your reach but need a little guidance? We are here to help! We designed the Rural Outreach Training alongside rural CIL staff to provide the resources to assess, plan, initiate, and sustain your rural outreach efforts. If you are curious about the training and would like a taste of what is included, check out this assessment of your strengths and challenges. 

You can complete Rural Outreach Training in 4-5 hours, individually or as a collaborative group. Please contact Rayna Sage with any questions or click below to complete the Rural Outreach Training.

Healthy Community Living 

Healthy Community Living (HCL) is a suite of trainings for organizations and individuals who want to facilitate curriculum-based workshops with community members with disabilities. The workshops explore how health, wellness, and community participation goals can enhance quality of life. Workshop participants learn skills and receive facilitated support to put their goals into action. Upcoming trainings include: 

• Living Well in the Community – each Wednesday in May and June from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. MT 
• Facilitating Groups Trainings – each Tuesday in May and June from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. MT 
• Custom trainings available in July! 

To find out more, visit the HCL website below or contact our HCL trainer Amy Lariviere. 

The Peer Collective is an upcoming, seven-week, independent living skills workshop created to help participants set and work toward a social support goal. When people have social connections in their lives, they are more likely to be happy and healthy. This workshop offers opportunities to connect with others to increase social support. 

Participants also learn essential communication skills to help make and maintain social connections. By exploring various types of support and setting personal goals, people can increase their independence and enhance their overall community participation. 

Stay tuned for more information!

© 2025 RTC:Rural, All rights reserved

The Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC:Rural) conducts research on disability as part of the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities at the University of Montana.

RTC:Rural is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) grant number 90RTCP0008 to improve the ability of people with disabilities to engage in rural community living.