Three state agencies commingled into one that focuses on rural Texans

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

May 8, 2003 -- In a recent issue of Fiscal Notes, a publication issued by Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Carole Keeton Strayhorn, attention is turned toward the new state agency that is working to address rural Texans' concerns.

That agency is the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA).

During the 77th Legislature in 2001, ORCA was created by merging three existing programs: the Center for Rural Health Initiatives, previously associated with the Texas Department of Health; the Texas Community Development Program; and Local Government Services, both with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

At a time in Texas when state monies are at a premium, a number of agencies have been, and will be, merged in order to save money, yet still offer needed services to the citizens of Texas.

Rural residents have gone through many changes since 1920, when, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, there were 2,265,734 rural farm residences, and 884,805 rural non-farm residences. By 1960, those numbers had changed to 693,740 still on the farm, and 1,698,467 rural non-farm residences. By 1990, the numbers had dropped to 192,392 rural farm residences and and grown to 3,156,870 non-farm rural residences. The number of rural farm residences have continued to drop since then.

Due to the rapid urbanization of areas all around the state, rural areas have continued to fall behind in services, due to a lack of qualified professionals in the healthcare industry, as well as housing and other, needed services.

As more and more farms have been either sold to large land owners, divided into lots for housing developments or "sucked in" by urban needs, it's become harder and harder to keep newer generations on the farm, or give young people a good reason to return to the farm, according to a variety of printed literature available to the public.

According to ORCA, their mission is: "To assist rural Texans who seek to enhance their quality of life by facilitating, with integrity, the use of the resources of our state so that sustained economic growth will enrich the rural Texas experience for the benefit of all."

That said, the fact remains that, according to a Rural Texas in Transition report from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, from 1990 to 1999, "the population of more than a third of Texas' rural counties declined, while every metropolitan county grew."

The first hurdle ORCA had to overcome was the integration of the three, different agencies. As state agencies, each had their "niche" and their way of serving the rural areas. Now, they were being forced to work together for the betterment of rural citizens.

"These programs were in their own little silos, not grasping the whole picture of community economics," Sam Tessen, ORCA's executive director was quoted as saying. "We worked hard to make (the staff) learn that they are a part of a bigger mission."

One of the things ORCA is trying to accomplish is to make wading through the bureaucratic red-tape, looking for information and help, easier for rural citizens and local governments.

In order to do this, they are compiling an "inventory of state agencies and services" on their website, which is available to the public. Also, the first Rural Summit was held in February to discuss rural issues and develop suggestions for the 78th Legislature to address.

While many urbanites may believe every rural community is the same or "once you've seen one, you've seen them all," nothing could be farther from the truth, according to Tessen. Strengths and weaknesses of each community depend on the strength of the local leadership abilities, along with the knowledge needed to address infrastructure concerns, such as access to water and electric power.

Another big issue has been the closing of many rural hospitals and clinics in the mid-1990s, because of lost federal and state funding. All over Texas, rural areas are fighting to keep doctors and other health professionals interested in staying in the rural areas, and, also, facilities in which they can be treated, without going into the urban area medical centers.

ORCA administers grant funding to address these needs, but rural citizens need to be made aware that they are available. Local governing bodies, such as city councils, should be made aware of the availability of the different goals of ORCA, in order to help each other.

Tessen said that if the communities are to grow, it will depend on all segments of the community working together.

(ORCA can be accessed at: www.orca.org)