February 11, 2021 What's New HHS Adds Categories of Those Allowed to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine. On February 2, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued an amendment to the emergency Declaration made last March in response to COVID-19. The amendment allows additional categories of health care professionals – including physicians, registered nurses, and practical nurses with recently expired licenses – to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines. On February 1, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released new guidelines used to determine financial eligibility for certain federal programs. Programs using the guidelines include Head Start, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the National School Lunch Program, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. ERS: Rural Residents More Vulnerable to COVID-19. The Economic Research Service (ERS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture examines trends in COVID-19 case rates and death rates for urban and rural areas. Research: Impact of COVID-19 Shutdown on Mental Health in Appalachia. A study published in the Journal of Appalachian Health examines whether there were higher levels of anxiety, fear, and depression among those who continued working outside the home compared with those who began working remotely during the shutdown. A separate article in the same issue, A Description of COVID-19 Lifestyle Restrictions Among a Sample of Rural Appalachian Women gives findings of a survey that asked about social interactions, doctor visits, child care, and substance use recovery. Research: Minority Race/Ethnicity and Cancer Disparities in Rural Areas of the United States. The Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) is an international organization providing open access to more than 300 academic journals. In an article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, researchers examine how racism and related social determinants of health expose rural Black and American Indian/Alaska Native populations to greater risk of developing cancer. CRS Backgrounder on Federal Broadband Programs. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides objective policy and legal analysis to committees and members of the U.S. House and Senate. This report provides an overview of federal programs designed to accelerate broadband deployment and adoption in minority communities, rural and tribal areas, and among other eligible households. COVID-19 Resources Federal Office of Rural Health Policy FAQs for COVID-19. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders. COVID-19 FAQs and Funding for HRSA Programs. Find all funding and frequently asked questions for programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions. Includes information on terms and conditions, attestation, reporting and auditing requirements, general and targeted distributions, and how to report capital equipment purchases. CDC COVID-19 Updates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides daily updates and guidance, including a section specific to rural health care, a Toolkit for Tribal Communities, and a tracker of cases, deaths, and tests by county. New: COVID-19 Vaccine Locator. CMS Coronavirus Stakeholder Calls. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosts recurring online sessions to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS. HHS Coronavirus Data Hub. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) website includes estimated and reported hospital capacity by state, with numbers updated daily. COVID-19 Data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The site provides access to demographic and economic data, including state and local data on at-risk populations, poverty, health insurance coverage, and employment. ATTC Network COVID-19 Resources for Addictions Treatment. The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network was established in 1993 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The online catalog of COVID-related resources includes regularly-updated guidance and trainings for professionals in the field. GHPC's Collection of Rural Health Strategies for COVID-19. The FORHP-supported Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) provides reports, guidance, and innovative strategies gleaned from their technical assistance and peer learning sessions with FORHP grantees. Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties. The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis provides up-to-date data on rural and urban confirmed cases throughout the United States. An animated map shows the progression of cases beginning January 21 to the present. Rural Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019. The Rural Health Information Hub has a compendium of rural-specific activities and guidelines, including Rural Healthcare Surge Readiness, a tool with resources for responding to a local surge in cases. SAMHSA Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created this list of resources, tools, and trainings for behavioral health and recovery providers. Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth. ProviderBridge.org was created by the Federation of State Medical Boards through the CARES Act and the FORHP-supported Licensure Portability Program. The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing by state as well as a provider portal to connect volunteer health care professionals to state agencies and health care entities. Online Resource for Licensure of Health Professionals. Created by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, the site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing in each state for psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists assistants, and social workers. Funding and Opportunities VA: Nominations for Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee – February 19. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as members of the Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee (VRHAC). The VRHAC advises the VA Secretary on ways to improve and enhance access to services for veterans in rural areas. NOSORH Grant Writing Institute – February 26. The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) offers a series of nine online learning sessions, March 8th to May 17th, covering grant writing with a rural health focus. There is a $500 registration fee, with a group discount of $500 when five students are registered together. NIH Health Disparities Research Institute – March 8. The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), offers an intensive training experience to support promising minority health research scientists early in their careers. Eligible applicants are post-doctoral fellows, assistant professors, or early-stage investigators in comparable research positions who are actively engaged in minority health and health disparities research and who plan to submit a K or R grant to NIH within the next 12 months. USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants – March 18. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $45 million in grants to colleges and universities to enhance the quality of instruction in the food, agricultural, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences. The program aims to increase the number and diversity of students who will complete a postsecondary degree in the FANH sciences, and foster projects that integrate social and biological sciences for challenges faced by agriculture and rural communities. AACOM Osteopathic Health Policy Fellowship for Professionals – March 31. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) offers its fellowship for practicing or teaching osteopathic physicians and others with an established connection to the osteopathic profession. Twelve fellowships are open for a year-long leadership training program that includes a five-day orientation and nine weekend seminars to learn about the foundations of health policy. Rural health, uninsured and vulnerable populations, and health care reform are among the policy areas of study. AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship Program – March 31. The American Medical Association (AMA) offers scholarships of up to $10,000 each for medical school students graduating in May or June 2022. Scholarship awards are made under seven national and four regional categories, including scholarships for students underrepresented in medicine and those committed to addressing health equity for underserved populations. PCORI Capacity Building for Patient-Centered Research – April 1. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funds projects that encourage the integration of patients, caregivers, clinicians, and other stakeholders as members of the research process. Projects should be designed to support PCORI's Strategic Plan. A separate program, PCORI Stakeholder Convening Support, provides funding for organizations to convene patients, researchers, clinicians, purchasers, payers, health system leaders, and other stakeholders for collaboration around a central focus or theme. These convenings can center on geography, a specific health condition, or a population. Letters of intent, required for both programs, are due on April 1. CDC Rigorous Evaluation of Policies that Prevent Violence – April 5. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will make two awards with a total investment of $2.1 million for research expanding the evidence base for policies aiming to prevent multiple forms of violence. The intent is to investigate policies that address social and structural conditions to reduce the disproportionate burden of violence experienced by some groups and communities. DOL Stand Down Grants for Veterans Services – Ongoing. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) makes grants of up to $10,000 per year to organizations holding events for veterans. Eligible applicants are state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations that can hold one or more local events to connect veterans with employment and training opportunities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through December 31, 2021. Rural Health Research Research in this section is provided by the HRSA/FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway. Sign up to receive alerts when new publications become available. Challenges for Critical Access Hospitals and Alternatives to Hospital Closure. The North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center released two policy briefs based on a national survey of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) executives. One looks at health system challenges CAHs face while the other examines the executives' thoughts on the viability of various alternatives to hospital closures. Characteristics and Challenges of Rural Ambulance Agencies. This paper from the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) examines the characteristics and challenges of current agencies and identifies public policy considerations to stabilize them. Policy Updates Visit the FORHP Policy page to see all recent updates and send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. No policy updates this week. Learning Events and Technical Assistance IHS on COVID-19 in Indian Country – Thursday, February 11 at 2:00 pm ET. The Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian will hold a one-hour session on the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on Native communities. FCC Roundtable on Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Friday, February 12 at 10:00 am ET. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold a two-hour roundtable discussion on the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, created by Congress in 2021 to provide discounts of up to $75 per month for household broadband services. Panelists include representatives from public, private, and tribal organizations. AgriSafe: Dispelling Misinformation About the COVID-19 Vaccine – Friday, February 12 at 1:00 pm ET. The AgriSafe Network will host a one-hour virtual session to explain how the vaccines were developed, their safety protocols, and why those who work in agriculture are considered essential workers and may get priority. NAM on Serious Illness Care in the Home – Tuesday, February 16 at 12:00 pm ET. In this 90-minute session, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) will hold a roundtable discussion on a range of issues, including providing palliative care, strategies for reaching people with serious illness living in rural communities, and the opportunities for telehealth. NCTRC Telehealth Policy Update – Thursday, February 18 at 2:00 pm ET. The FORHP-supported National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC) will hold a one-hour webinar to provide an update on federal and state policy and look ahead to what's coming in 2021. ACL/CMS Bridging the Digital Divide for HCBS Beneficiaries – Thursday, February 18 at 3:00 pm ET. During this 90-minute webinar, originally scheduled for February 4, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will discuss what funding, services, and skills are needed to bring internet connection to beneficiaries of home & community based services (HCBS). MATRC: Answering Questions About Telehealth and Telemental Health – Friday, February 19 at 12:00 pm ET. The Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC) holds a live, one-hour event to answer questions about the basics. The MATRC is one of 14 FORHP-Supported Telehealth Resource Centers. Registration is now open for the MATRC Virtual Summit 2021 – March 28-31. AgriSafe: Tools for Healthcare Professionals in Agricultural Communities – Friday, February 19 at 1:00 pm ET. AgriSafe hosts a one-hour webinar with an overview of free resources on agricultural health and safety topics, including mental health and suicide prevention. CDC National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine – February 22 – 24. The last day to register for this three-day forum is Tuesday, February 16. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will bring together practitioners from national, state, tribal, local, and territorial levels who are engaged in vaccinating communities across the nation. RUPRI: Role of Arts/Cultural Capital in Rural Innovation – February 23 & 25. This virtual conference held by the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) aims to set a research agenda around the role of arts and cultural capital in rural innovation and community well-being. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required for the two-day event taking place from 12:30 – 5:30 pm ET on Tuesday, February 23rd and Thursday, February 25th. Approaching Deadlines Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to HIPAA Privacy Rule – February 12 EPA Training/Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems – February 12 Request for Nominations to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission – February 12 SAMHSA National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative – Category III – February 12 Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program – February 15 SAMHSA Grants for Building Communities of Recovery – February 15 Host Site Application for CDC's Public Health Associate Program – February 16 RWJF Equity-Focused Policy Research Supporting Families with Young Children – February 16 HRSA Advanced Nursing Education – Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program – February 17 CDC Research to Inform Pandemic Response for Displaced Persons – February 18 VA: Nominations for Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee – February 19 HRSA Capacity Development for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C – Extended to February 22 (from February 19) HRSA Training for Primary Care and Maternal Health – February 22 HRSA Loan Programs for Health Professions Schools – February 25 HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – February 25 NIH Approaches to Decrease Stigma of Substance Use Disorders – February 26 NOSORH Grant Writing Institute – February 26 IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program – February 28 DOJ Culturally-Specific Services for Sexual Assault Victims – March 1 DOJ Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking – March 1 SAMHSA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants – March 1 DOJ Mentoring for Youth Affected by the Opioid Crisis – March 2 DOJ Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program – March 4 ARC Workforce/Economic Revitalization in Appalachia (Power Initiative) – Letters of Intent March 5 NIH Health Disparities Research Institute – March 8 DOJ Grants for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Against Children – March 9 CDC Grants for New Investigators Researching Violence Impacting Children – March 10 DOJ Rural Program for Violence Against Women – March 12 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) -Implementation – March 12 NEA Citizens' Institute on Rural Design – March 12 HRSA P4 Challenge: Primary Care to Improve Child Health – March 15 NIH: Social/Behavioral Research for Cancer Intervention in Rural Populations – March 15 CMS Community Health Access and Rural Transformation Model (CHART) – Extended to March 16 (from February 16) DOJ Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women – Extended to April 13 (from March 16) NIH Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Connectedness/Isolation – March 17 SAMHSA Rural Emergency Medical Services Training – Extended to March 18 (from February 16) USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants – March 18 Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to OMB Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Delineations – March 19 CDC Research Grants to Prevent Violence/ACEs – March 22 USDA Rural Community Development Initiative – March 22 DOJ Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction for Tribal Governments – March 26 DOJ Grants for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault – March 29 DOJ Services for Victims of Human Trafficking – Extended to March 30 (from March 2) AACOM Osteopathic Health Policy Fellowship for Professionals – March 31 AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship Program – March 31 PCORI Advisory Panel Nominations – March 31 PCORI Capacity Building for Patient-Centered Research – Letters of Intent April 1 PCORI Stakeholder Convening Support – Letters of Intent April 1 Application for CMS Innovation Center Geographic Direct Contracting Model – April 2 HRSA Evidence-Based Telehealth Grant Program – April 2 CDC Rigorous Evaluation of Policies that Prevent Violence – April 5 DOJ Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence – Extended to April 5 (from March 8) HRSA Grants for RCORP - Psychostimulant Support – April 12 DOJ Tribal-Researcher Capacity Building Grants – April 26 Special Enrollment Period for Health Coverage – May 15 Ongoing Opportunities AHRQ Research to Improve Patient Transitions through HIT – December 2022 American Indian Public Health Resource Center Technical Assistance ASA Rural Access to Anesthesia Care Scholarship CDC Training Pediatric Medical Providers to Recognize ACEs Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program Department of Commerce: Economic Development Assistance Programs Department of Labor Dislocated Worker Grants Department of Labor Stand Down Grants for Veterans Services – through December 2021 DRA Technical Assistance for Delta Region Community Health Systems Development EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Housing Assistance Council: Housing Loans for Low-Income Rural Communities HUD Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program IHS Tribal Forensic Healthcare Training IHS/DOD Medical Supplies and Equipment for Tribes (Project TRANSAM) NARHC Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course NIH Practice-Based Research for Mental Health Interventions in Pediatric Primary Care Settings – July 1 (Letters of Intent June 1) NIH Research for AI/AN End-of-Life Care – January 8, 2022 NIH Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health – May 2022 NIH Research – Alcohol and Other Substance Use – Dates Through August 2022 NIH Research on Minority Health/Health Disparities – September 8, 2022 NIH Research on Palliative Care in Home/Community Settings – September 8, 2022 NIH Research to Improve Health Care Quality and Outcomes Through HIT NIH Strategies for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in HIT Nominations for Federal Advisory Commission on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Nominations for National Advisory Committee on Migrant Health Opportunity Zones for Economic Development Primary Care Development Corporation Community Investment Loans Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development RWJF Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health RWJF Pioneering Ideas Brief Proposals SBA Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Southeast Rural Community Assistance Loans USDA Community Facilities Program USDA Community Food Projects Technical Assistance USDA Drinking Water and Waste Disposal for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages USDA Economic Impact Initiative Grants USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA Guaranteed Loans for Rural Rental Housing – through 2021 USDA Intermediary Relending Program USDA Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Business Investment Program USDA Rural Energy Savings Program USDA Summer Food Program USDA Technical Assistance for Healthy Food Financing Initiative USDA Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans USDA Funding for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Projects USDOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) | 
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