August 5, 2021 What's New HHS Sends More Aid for SUD and Maternal Care in Rural Communities. Today, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) awarded nearly $90 million for programs addressing substance use disorder (SUD), and to improve access to maternal and obstetrics care. CDC and OMH Launch Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index. A new interactive tool helps public health officials plan their support in communities before, during, and after a public health emergency. Social vulnerability refers to a number of factors, including poverty, lack of access to transportation, and crowded housing that may cause excessive human suffering and financial loss in a disaster. With this map, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use county-level data from the U.S. Census and other public sources to show percentiles for socioeconomic status, minority status and language, and housing types, among other social variables. The mapping also includes rates for medical vulnerabilities that are prominent in rural areas such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. According to recent work from the Rural Health Research Gateway, approximately 1 in 5 rural residents identifies as Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or mixed race. The Social Vulnerability Index was launched in July [pdf] by the HHS Office of Minority Health in partnership with the CDC. Last week, the CDC released data showing a higher percentage of poor health among adults in rural areas. New Rental Assistance Finder. Last week, as a federal moratorium on evictions expired, the government agency charged with consumer protection introduced an online tool to help landlords and renters struggling with rent and other bills. The site provides links for the rental assistance program in each state. Most programs accept applications from landlords; where renters can apply, they often need their landlord's help to complete the process and make rent payments. This resource is for renters and landlords only, but federal protections and assistance are also available for homeowners. Safe and reliable housing has long been considered a social determinant of health. Learn more about evidence-based strategies ensuring housing in rural areas at the Rural Health Information Hub. See an opportunity for a related Federal program in the Funding section below. Federal Agencies' Investment in Rural Cancer Control. The latest edition of The Rural Monitor gives an in-depth look at a federally funded network of academic, public health, and community partners across the country who collaborate to reduce cancer disparities. The work began in 2018 when the National Cancer Institute joined with HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Rural Health Council for the Accelerating Rural Cancer Control Research meeting. 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. Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Distribution (RHCVD) Program. Under the program, Medicare-certified RHCs will receive direct COVID-19 vaccines in addition to their normal jurisdictions' weekly allocation. Contact RHCVaxDistribution@hrsa.gov for more information. 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. We Can Do This: COVID-19 Public Education Campaign. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced a national effort to help community partners promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence. The campaign includes educational materials targeted to specific audiences, including rural communities, and seeks volunteers for the COVID-19 Community Corps. Don't miss the Spanish-language website, JuntosSíPodemos.HHS.gov. Customizable COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Rural Communities. Easy access to customizable communication templates that include print ads, poster, brochure, social media posts, and an online resource guide. HHS Facts About COVID Care for the Uninsured. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) helps uninsured individuals find no-cost COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccines. The HRSA Uninsured Program provides claims reimbursement to health care providers generally at Medicare rates for testing, treating, and administering vaccines to uninsured individuals, including undocumented immigrants. There are at-a-glance fact sheets for providers and for patients in English and Spanish. HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will provide claims reimbursement at the national Medicare rate for eligible health care providers administering vaccines to underinsured individuals. This may be particularly helpful in rural communities given higher rates of uninsured and underinsured. 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. New Resources for Provider Relief Fund Reporting – Submit by September 30. Provider Relief Fund (PRF) recipients who received funds prior to June 30, 2020, have through September 30, 2021, to complete reports in the PRF Reporting Portal. Resources on the Reporting and Auditing Webpage will help PRF recipients comply with reporting. In July, HRSA hosted three Technical Assistance webcasts related to reporting - watch the replays: July 8 - Reporting Introduction, July 14 – General Q&A, and July 20 – Lost Revenues. Volunteer to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has expanded its definition of persons authorized to give the vaccine. These include, among others, current and retired traditional and non-traditional health care professionals, and students in health care programs. 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, vaccine data and resources, and COVID-19 Vaccination Trainings for new and experienced providers. 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. 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 March 26, 2020 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. NIH Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) created a collection of online resources with information for communities hit hardest by the pandemic, such as African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and American Indian/Alaska Natives. 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. ATTC Network COVID-19 Resources for Addictions Treatment. The online catalog of COVID-related resources includes regularly-updated guidance and trainings for professionals in the field. The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network was established in 1993 by SAMSHA. HHS/DoD National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network. A joint program of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is available at no cost to hospitals caring for COVID-19 patients and struggling with access to enough critical care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other specialized clinical experts. Teams of critical care clinicians are available to deliver virtual care through lightweight telemedicine platforms, such as an app on a mobile device. Hear from participating clinicians and email to learn more and sign up. 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. FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created this temporary program to help eligible individuals and households afford internet service during the pandemic. Eligible households can enroll through an approved broadband service provider or by visiting GetEmergencyBroadband.org. The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner. Funding and Opportunities HUD Eviction Protection Grant Program for Legal Aid Providers – September 8. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will make 20 grants of up to $3 million each to support no-cost legal assistance to low-income tenants at risk of eviction. Eligible applicants are public and non-profit entities with at least three years of experience providing legal aid. Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts: Grants Engaging Families and Communities – September 20. The nonprofit called FORE will provide grants for evidence-based models of prevention of opioid use disorder (OUD) for families in high-risk communities. Areas of focus include adverse childhood experiences, racial inequities, and emotional distress from trauma. FORE has an interest in expanding the OUD response in rural areas and will award public and nonprofit organizations up to $500,000 per year for a three-year project period. Massachusetts General Hospital Fellowship in Rural Health – September 30. The full-time fellowship for early career clinicians will include a Master's Degree in public health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, clinical time at an Indian Health Service site in rural South Dakota, funding for elective away rotations, and conference attendance. Department of Commerce Pilot Program: Connecting Minority Communities – December 1. The U.S. Commerce Department will invest $268 million in grants to expand broadband internet access in minority communities. Eligible applicants are Historically Black Colleges or Universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions that can serve communities where the median household income is no more than 250 percent of the poverty line. See the Events section below for a series of webinars to assist with applications. Department of Commerce American Rescue Plan Funding for Indigenous Communities – September 2022. The U.S. Commerce Department expects to make as many as 50 awards with total funding of $100 million to help with recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Projects may include economic infrastructure projects such as broadband, energy, road, water, and wastewater; vocational and higher education facilities; and community health facilities that are necessary for future job creation. Applicants representing diverse geographies, from rural and urban settings, are encouraged. Policy Updates Visit the FORHP Policy page to see all recent updates and send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Final Medicare Hospital Payment Rule Released. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the Medicare Fiscal Year 2022 payment and policy updates for acute care and long-term care hospitals, which are effective October 1. This part of the final rule retains wage index policies, adopts new measures for the Inpatient Quality Reporting program, and adopts a policy for value-based purchasing programs to ensure that hospitals are neither rewarded nor penalized for the circumstances caused by the public health emergency. Public comments on proposals related to payments for graduate medical education (GME) and the distribution of rural residency slots, which were included in the proposed rule, will be addressed in subsequent parts. Medicare Finalizes SNF, IRF, IPF, and Hospice Payment Rules. CMS also released final rules for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF), Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPF), and Hospices. Each rule updates Medicare payment and quality measurement policies for Fiscal Year 2022, which begins October 1. The final rules indicate a 1.6 percent increase in FY 2022 payments for rural SNFs and IRFs and 2.2 percent for rural IPFs and hospices. CMMI Publishes Fifth Report to Congress. This week, the CMS Innovation Center (CMMI) released its fifth Report to Congress. This report covers activities from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2020, including the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model and the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model. Learning Events and Technical Assistance NTIA Grant Program for Broadband Infrastructure – Thursday, August 5 at 2:30 pm ET. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, continues its series of webinars to help with applications to three new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021: The Broadband Infrastructure Program, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and the Connecting Minority Communities Program. The webinars are 90 minutes each and will occur several times each month through October. MATRC: Answering Questions About Telehealth and Telemental Health – Friday, August 6 at 12:00 pm ET. The Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC) holds a live, two-hour event to answer questions about the basics. The MATRC is one of 14 FORHP-Supported Telehealth Resource Centers. This is a recurring session taking place every other Friday from 12:00 to 2:00 pm ET. CMS Webinar on Hospital Price Transparency – Wednesday, August 11 at 2:00 pm ET. In this 90-minute webinar, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will review the document "8 Steps to a Machine-Readable File of All Items & Services" [pdf] to demonstrate how hospitals can meet the price transparency requirements, which apply to all hospitals. They will highlight specific examples of how to post standard charge information online using a consumer-friendly display [pdf]. HRSA Maternal Health Webinar Series: Focus on Racial Equity – Thursday, August 12 at 3:00 pm ET. The Office of Regional Operations at HRSA continues its series on promising best practices to further maternal health. AgriSafe: Question, Persuade, and Refer Training for Mental Health – Tuesday, August 17 at 1:00 pm ET. The AgriSafe Network holds a 90-minute training session for recognizing and responding to mental health crises in Farm communities. Resource of the Week Now Available: Turn to Telehealth Partner Toolkit. Patient and provider partner organizations can communicate with their audiences on how telehealth keeps us connected and increases access to health care. The digital telehealth toolkit includes downloadable sample newsletter articles and social media content, tip sheets, graphics and animation, web badges, and other resources. Approaching Deadlines ARC Technical Assistance from the Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center – August 6 NIH Research Education Programs for Alcohol and Other Substance Use – August 10 ONC Public Health Informatics & Technology Workforce Development – August 11 HHS Partnerships to Reduce Maternal Deaths Due to Violence – August 12 NEA American Rescue Plan Support for Local Arts Organizations – August 12 CMS State Planning Grants for Mobile Crisis Intervention Services – August 13 Special Enrollment Period for Health Coverage – Extended to August 15 (from May 15) HHS Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity – August 16 Request for Information: HHS Seeking Input on Advancing Sensitivity Toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders – due August 17 HHS Minority Leaders Development Program – August 17 HHS Promoting Vaccine Confidence in Local Communities – August 17 HHS Coordinating Center to Address Health Disparities – August 23 HHS Demonstration Projects for Addressing Health Disparities – August 23 NIH Research to Address Racism and Discrimination on Minority Health – August 24 ACF Independent Living Services for AI/AN Communities – August 27 Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to Medicare Home Health Program – August 27 HRSA Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center – August 30 HRSA Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program – August 30 HRSA Promoting Resilience and Mental Health for Health Professional Workforce – August 30 HRSA Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program – August 30 HRSA Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Technical Assistance – August 30 DOC Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program – September 1 HUD Eviction Protection Grant Program for Legal Aid Providers – September 8 HRSA Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project – September 10 Northern Border Regional Commission Forest Economy Partnership – Letters of Intent September 10 Comments Requested: Updates to Medicare Physician Payment Policies for CY 2022 – September 13 Comments Requested: Updates to Medicare Outpatient Hospital Payments and RFI for New Rural Emergency Hospital – September 17 Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts: Grants Engaging Family and Communities – September 20 HRSA Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program – September 21 Comments Requested: Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Requirements – September 24 Massachusetts General Hospital Fellowship in Rural Health – September 30 Submit Reports for Provider Relief Fund – September 30 NIH Researching the Role of Work in Health Disparities – October 5 Department of Commerce Pilot Program: Connecting Minority Communities – December 1 COVID-19 Extension for Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) Affiliation Agreement – January 1 Ongoing Opportunities HHS/DoD National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network Extended Public Comment Period for FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program FCC Emergency Broadband for Individuals and Households FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program – March 2022 AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants – September 2022 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 Direct Assistance to State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Health Agencies CDC Training Pediatric Medical Providers to Recognize ACEs Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program Department of Commerce American Rescue Plan Funding for Indigenous Communities – September 2022 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 FEMA/SAMHSA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) GPHC & RWJF: Rapid Cycle Research and Evaluation Grants for Cross-Sector Alignment HRSA Payment Program for Buprenorphine-Trained Clinicians – Until Funds Depleted HRSA Technical Assistance for Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program 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 Project Talk Initiative Host Site Applications 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 – Various 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 Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health – Various Dates Until September 2023 NIH Researching the Role of Work in Health Disparities – Various Dates Until September 2024 NIH Special Interest Research – Pandemic Impact on Vulnerable Children and Youth – May 2024 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 Tribal Grant Writing Training 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 Healthy Food Financing Initiative Technical Assistance USDA Intermediary Relending Program USDA Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Business Investment Program USDA Rural Energy Savings Program USDA SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (for Water/Waste Projects) 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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