September 16, 2021 What's New New COVID-19 Provider Funding Available. The Health Resources and Services Administration at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is making $25.5 billion in new funding available for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that funding, $8.5 billion from the American Rescue Plan is designated for providers who serve rural Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or Medicare patients. The remaining $17 billion is from Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 payments for a broad range of providers who can document revenue loss and expenses associated with the pandemic. For these payments, smaller providers will receive reimbursements for lost revenues and COVID-19 expenses at a higher rate compared to larger providers. Phase 4 will also include bonus payments based on the amount of services providers furnish to Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare patients, who tend to be lower income and have greater and more complex medical needs. Providers will apply for both programs with a single application, and the application portal will open on September 29, 2021. Grace period for PRF Reporting. To support those facing natural disasters and the Delta variant surge, HHS announced a grace period on the reporting deadline for Round 1 of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). While the September 30 deadline for reporting has not changed, recoupment or other enforcement actions will not be initiated during the grace period, lasting October 1 – November 30, 2021. Rural Health Clinic Experiences from the COVID-19 Testing Program [pdf]. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) published a report on the federal program that funded COVID-19 testing in rural areas. First launched in May 2020, the program sent a total of more than $225 million to eligible RHCs in almost every state. The report captures how the RHCs used the funds, the challenges they faced, and anecdotes of their experiences. Awards announced for the CMS Rural Transformation Project. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made four awards for its new, rural-focused Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model. This voluntary payment model, the first of its kind from the CMS Innovation Center, will test whether upfront investments, predictable capitated payments, and operational and regulatory flexibilities will enable rural health care providers to improve access to care while reducing health care costs. Selected participants are from Washington, South Dakota, Alabama, and Texas. GAO Examines Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. Until last year, the federal program that repays education loans for nurses required that they work only at non-profit facilities. The pandemic-related CARES Act eliminated that restriction in March 2020, allowing Nurse Corps members to serve at for-profit critical shortage facilities (CSFs). The Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the change and determined that it's too early to tell its effects. Officials at non-profit CSFs such as Critical Access Hospitals expressed concern that for-profit facilities can offer higher wages, resulting in fewer nurses willing to work at non-profit CSFs in rural and other underserved areas. Rural Matters Podcast Discussion on Telehealth. The bi-weekly podcast highlights federal efforts to expand telehealth to rural areas in the last year. Heather Dimeris, the Director of HRSA's Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, discusses changes in 2020 that increased telehealth visits to health centers to more than 28 million, with nearly 6 million of these visits in rural-serving facilities. COVID-19 Resources Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Resources 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. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics has a collection of resources for managing federal programs related to COVID-19. Online Resource for Licensure of Health Professionals. As telehealth usage increased during the pandemic, FORHP funded new work with the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards to reduce the burden of multi-state licensure. 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. 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. 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 web page 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. New: Reporting Resource Guide. 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. The Ad Council's Rural Resource Toolkit for Vaccinations [pdf]. The toolkit includes simple message elements for talking about vaccines and public service announcements that can be customized with your organization's logo and used in print, online, on the radio, or on television. 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. 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. 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, COVID-19 Vaccination Trainings for new and experienced providers, and Tips for Talking with Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination. New: Use of Rapid Antigen Testing in Remote Communities. 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 from 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 SAMHSA. 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 USDA Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants – September 30. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide funding for projects that spur employment and local economies. Examples of eligible projects include business incubators; capital for start-up ventures; and facilities or equipment for education, training, and/or health care. Eligible applicants are former borrowers of USDA's Rural Utilities Service loans, and nonprofit utilities eligible to receive assistance from Rural Development Electric Programs or Telecommunication Programs. This is the third of four quarterly competitions for the Rural Economic Development funding this year. The deadline for the fourth quarter round is December 31. AmeriCorps VISTA Requesting Concept Papers – November 3. Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is a federal anti-poverty program providing resources to public agencies and non-profit organizations. Rural communities, Indian Country, and areas of persistent poverty get priority consideration for anti-poverty projects that engage the people who are most affected. Organizations selected to sponsor VISTA members provide local operating costs with support from AmeriCorps under two different funding options: 1) standard projects for which AmeriCorps provides volunteers with a living allowance, health coverage, travel relocation and other benefits; and 2) cost-share partnerships for which the sponsor organization covers part or all of volunteers' living allowance, while AmeriCorps assumes remaining costs. Department of Treasury Capital Magnet Fund for Community Development – October 12. The fund provides grants to finance affordable housing and community revitalization efforts that benefit low-income people and communities. A total investment of $380 million will go to 55 communities. Applicants must be either a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) or a nonprofit with a principal purpose of developing or managing affordable housing solutions. CDFI financing is ideal for rural communities, offering better terms than loans from mainstream banks or credit unions. USDA Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants – November 1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides low interest and need-based grants to develop affordable housing for year-round, migrant, seasonal, retired, and/or disabled domestic farm laborers. Priorities for this round of funding include economic recovery from the pandemic. Eligible applicants are state and local governments, Federally recognized tribes, and farmers or associations of farmers. HRSA Physician Assistant Rural Training Program – December 9. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will give preference to accredited physician assistant training programs that place graduates in Medically Underserved Communities. A total investment of $2.1 million will go to seven training entities that can demonstrate a high rate of placement in rural areas. 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. Changes in Socioeconomic Mix and Health Outcomes in Rural Counties with Hospital Closures, 2005-2018. The Rural and Minority Health Research Center finds that rural counties with hospital closures experienced negative economic, health, and social outcomes. Policy Updates Visit the FORHP Policy page to see all recent updates and send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. See What's New section above for an update about the Provider Relief Fund for pandemic-related spending. Learning Events and Technical Assistance MATRC: Answering Questions About Telehealth and Telemental Health – Friday, September 17 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. HHS and USDA Resource Guide for Child Care in Rural Areas – Tuesday, September 21 at 2:30 pm ET. The U.S Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health & Human Services (HHS) will kick off a new federal guide to strengthen and expand child care facilities in rural communities. The USDA-RD HHS-ACF Joint Facilities Resource Guide includes best practices, innovative approaches, success stories and a list of federal resources available. The Administration of Children and Families (ACF) is the HHS agency administering federal programs for child care; Rural Development (RD) at the USDA focuses on improving the economy and quality of life in rural America. NAM/HRSA on Providing Health Literate Virtual Health Services – Thursday, September 23 at 2:00 pm ET. The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) will host a 90-minute session on the challenges of telehealth for patients with low health literacy. Experts from HRSA's Office for the Advancement of Telehealth will make a presentation. NTIA Grant Program for Broadband Infrastructure – September 22 & 23 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. Northeast Telehealth Conference – September 23-24. Over two days, the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center (NETRC) will host stakeholders from across their 8-state region. The Region 1 office of HRSA's Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs will provide federal updates and offer a forecast of HRSA resources and opportunities. Register to attend online or in person. The Child Tax Credit: Ensuring Successful and Equitable Implementation – Tuesday, September 28 at 3:00 pm. HRSA has invited representatives from the Department of Treasury and White House to help awardees understand the Child Tax Credit, with a particular focus on enrolling families that may not usually file taxes. Join a one-hour session for an overview of the Child Tax Credit and instructions on how to help enroll families using the Non-Filer Portal. If you prefer to join by phone, dial: 833-568-8864; meeting ID: 161 456 3976. Telehealth Best Practices Learned from the Pandemic – Tuesdays at 3:00 pm ET, September 28 – October 19. The Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resources will hold a four-part series with lessons learned from telehealth practices of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Topics include connecting with hard-to-reach populations, staff engagement, and the future of telehealth after the pandemic. Approaching Deadlines 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 Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center – Extended to September 20 (from August 30) HRSA Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program – Extended to September 20 (from August 30) HRSA Promoting Resilience and Mental Health for Health Professional Workforce – Extended to September 20 (from August 30) HRSA Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program – September 21 OMH: Challenge to Reduce HIV Stigma and Disparities – September 23 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 USDA Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants – September 30 3RNET Recruiting for Retention Academy – October 4 NIH Researching the Role of Work in Health Disparities – October 5 Department of Treasury Capital Magnet Fund for Community Development – October 12 USDA Emergency Rural Health Care Grants – October 12 Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples: Thriving Women Program – October 16 HUD Indian Community Development Block Grant – Imminent Threat Funding – October 18 Department of Commerce/EDA American Rescue Plan Program for Community Development – October 19 USDA Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants – November 1 AmeriCorps VISTA Requesting Concept Papers – November 3 National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – November 4 AmeriCorps State and National Public Health AmeriCorps – November 8 Department of Commerce Pilot Program: Connecting Minority Communities – December 1 HRSA Physician Assistant Rural Training Program – December 9 COVID-19 Extension for Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) Affiliation Agreement – January 1 Ongoing Opportunities CFPB Rental Assistance Finder 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: Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Outcomes – September 8, 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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