In 1997, the federal Office of Rural Health Policy awarded 3-year outreach demonstration grants to 45 projects to provide direct primary and preventive health care services to rural residents in 28 states. The grant program allows recipients to test innovative ideas against the challenges of rural health care delivery, such as provider shortages, geographic isolation, growing Hispanic/Latino populations in rural areas, and changing health care funding and delivery systems. Recipients must form a consortium of local and state agencies or institutions to work together toward project goals. All the projects in this funding cycle succeeded in their efforts, but the populations served and the models implemented were extremely diverse. Twenty-two projects focused on the specific needs of infants, children, or adolescents. Among other populations, women were served specifically by 7 projects, minority groups (Hispanics, African Americans, or Native Americans) by 16 projects, and the elderly by 9 projects. Thirteen projects focused their activities in rural schools or used schools as delivery sites. Ten projects provided continuing education opportunities to health professionals or social workers. Health education, health promotion, or disease prevention were the focus of 31 projects, with topics such as substance abuse, smoking prevention, mental health, nutrition, diabetes, and sexuality. Descriptions of the 45 projects include population served, services offered, innovative features, results, potential for replication, plans for continued funding, and contact information. (Contains title and subject indexes, a glossary, and a project locator map.) (SV)