January 20, 2022 What's New New Grant Awards to Reduce Burnout Among Health Care Workforce. Earlier today, HHS announced $103 million going to 45 grantees. The initiative comprises two programs to promote mental health and well-being and reduce burnout among health care professionals and first responders; a third program will provide tailored training and technical assistance to the other grantees of this effort. The funding is a direct response to the depression, anxiety, and burnout experienced by health care workers during the pandemic. New Funding Available for Rural Opioid Response Program – Applications Due April 19. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced funding for the next phase in the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), a multi-year initiative to address behavioral health care challenges, including substance use disorder (SUD), since 2018. For the new program under RCORP, approximately 26 award recipients will receive $500,000 each per year for a four-year period of performance. Grantees will address barriers to quality care for SUD and behavioral health through a coordinated, evidence-based approach to services. FORHP will hold a technical assistance webinar for applicants on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. ET. A recording will be made available for those who cannot attend. For dial-in information, view the Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov, click the Package tab, then Preview, and Download Instructions; technical assistance information is on page (ii). You do not need to register in advance for the webinar. Please email ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov for questions and a link to the recording. Spread the Word About Vaccine Boosters. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released new resources – posters, flyers, videos, and talking points – to help promote the extra protection from COVID-19 boosters. All vaccinated adults aged 18+ are eligible for a booster. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded booster eligibility to include adolescents ages 12 to 17, recommending that they receive a booster shot five months after their initial vaccination. The CDC also released a new resource, based on input from rural health departments and organizations, with 12 strategies to increase vaccine uptake in rural communities (pdf). Search by zip code to find nearby locations providing adult and pediatric vaccines and boosters for COVID-19 and the flu at vaccines.gov. Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Vaccine Requirements. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision upholding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services health care worker vaccine mandate outlined in the Omnibus Health Care Staff Vaccination rule. As a result of the decision, health care providers subject to the rule in the 24 states (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming) covered by this decision will now need to establish plans and procedures to ensure their staff are vaccinated and to have their employees receive at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The decision does not affect compliance timelines for providers in the District of Columbia, the territories, and the 25 states where the preliminary injunction was previously lifted. See the guidance released on January 14, 2022 for additional information. HHS Renews Public Health Emergency. On January 14, HHS extended the current Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration for another 90 days. The most recent continuation of the PHE was set to expire on January 16, 2022. The extension of the PHE means the continuation of flexibilities for health care providers, such as the Coronavirus Waivers issued by CMS. HRSA Seeking Nominations for Migrant Health Advisory. Members of the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health serve four-year terms to advise the HHS Secretary on the selection, funding, and operation of Migrant Health Centers. Seven positions of the 15-member council are currently open. See the Federal Register notice for more details on eligibility; nominations will be accepted on a continuous basis. CDC Evaluates State-Led Surveillance of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looked at data from six states mandated to report on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a condition that occurs when newborn babies experience withdrawal from drugs. A previous study of these states – Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia – indicated that the reporting helped determine the prevalence of NAS and identify communities more severely affected. The current report is based on answers to a follow-up questionnaire given to epidemiologists and birth defects program managers from the same six states. Ongoing: HRSA Payment Program for RHC Buprenorphine-Trained Providers. In June 2021, HRSA launched an effort to improve access to substance use disorder treatment by paying for providers who are waivered to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) still have the opportunity to apply for a $3,000 payment on behalf of each provider who trained to obtain the waiver necessary to prescribe buprenorphine after January 1, 2019. Approximately $1.5 million in program funding remains available for RHCs and will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Send questions to DATA2000WaiverPayments@hrsa.gov. There is ongoing availability of a free online course for waiver eligibility training from the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine and the Providers Clinical Support System. COVID-19 Resources Provider Relief Fund (PRF). The reporting portal is open for providers required to report on PRF payments during Reporting Period 2, and will remain open until March 31, 2022. NARHC Assistance with Federal Programs for COVID-19 Testing, Vaccine Distribution, and Provider Relief Fund. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) has background information and guidelines in its collection of technical assistance webinars for all COVID-related programs designated for Rural Health Clinics. 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. Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation. The new resources help individuals, teachers, school administrators, librarians, faith leaders, and health care professionals to understand, identify, and stop the spread of misinformation. The toolkit includes common types of misinformation and a checklist to help evaluate the accuracy of health-related content. 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. HRSA will provide claims reimbursement at the national Medicare rate for eligible health care providers administering vaccines to underinsured individuals. 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. CDC COVID-19 Updates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides daily updates and guidance, including COVID-19 Vaccination Trainings (pdf) for new and experienced providers, and Tips for Talking with Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination. New: Updated Guidelines on Quarantine and Isolation, and Rural Considerations for Vaccine Confidence and Uptake Strategies (pdf). 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 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 Grant 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. New: Reaching Farm Communities for Vaccine Confidence. The AgriSafe Network is a nonprofit organization that provides information and training on injury and disease related to agriculture. Their health professionals and educators created a social media toolkit that aims to provide clear messages about COVID-19 vaccination for agriculture, forestry, and fishing workers. Funding and Opportunities CDC Public Health Associate Program – January 25. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide hands-on experience across a variety of public health settings. Associates are considered term-limited CDC employees, earning a federal salary with benefits while they are assigned to public health host sites across the United States and U.S. territories, including more than 20 Tribal health departments and organizations. Eligible applicants have completed college within the last two years, with a minimum 2.95 grade point average. Public health agencies seeking to become a host site for the program can apply by February 18. PCORI Funding for Broad Pragmatic Studies – Letters of Intent February 8. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) will support investigator-initiated proposals for comparative clinical effectiveness research. Special areas of emphasis for this funding cycle include: 1) addressing racism, discrimination, and bias; and 2) health-system-level interventions to improve health care worker well-being and burnout. Target populations include residents of rural areas, low-income groups, and racial/ethnic minority groups, among others. See more of PCORI's range of research and engagement projects for rural health care. DOL Employment Services for Homeless Vets – February 23. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will make 28 awards from a total investment of $14 million to create systems that recruit and train veterans experiencing homelessness to prepare them for employment success. Applicants are encouraged to address barriers for marginalized populations. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, almost a quarter of all veterans in the United States return from active military careers to reside in rural communities. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholars Program – March 16. One of four selective programs that provide an intense learning and mentoring experience to build RWJF's Culture of Health, the program for Health Policy Research Scholars looks for doctoral students from across disciplines – e.g., economics, agriculture, engineering – whose research has the potential to impact health. Scholars are intentionally selected from underrepresented populations and marginalized backgrounds. 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. Evaluating the Rural HIV/AIDS Planning Program. This policy brief from the Minnesota Rural Health Research Center examines the experiences of the first grantee cohort of the Rural HIV/AIDS Planning Program, that began work in 2020. The evaluation focuses on what helped or hindered the program's implementation and on factors that can inform the planning for future grants. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. No policy updates this week. Learning Events and Technical Assistance Application Assistance for RMOMS Program – Wednesday, January 26 at 1:00 pm ET. FORHP will hold an hour-long session for applicants for the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program, an initiative that began three years ago to address persistent disparities and lack of obstetric services in rural areas. Call-In Number: 833.568.8864; Participant Code: 06048296. Learn more about the ongoing work (PDF) of current grantees in the first annual report, and write to RMOMS@hrsa.gov with questions. Patient-Centered Medical Home Health Equity Technical Assistance Symposium – Monday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. ET. HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care, home to Community Health Centers, is holding a two-day symposium on health equity in the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). Participants will hear about and discuss best practices and lessons learned from peers and experts in the fields of health equity, quality improvement, and accreditation/recognition. The symposium will run from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm over two days, January 31st and February 1st. Building Tomorrow's Virtual Healthcare with Today's Technology – February 2-3. HRSA's National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center will host a free, two-day virtual event featuring several telemedicine case scenarios where patients, caregivers, and providers present virtual care models such as emergency services, behavioral health, school-based care, remote patient monitoring and direct to consumer patient care. Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss the various telehealth technologies used in the telemedicine scenarios with the vendors and other leaders in the industry who are developing and implementing innovative ways of using technology to enhance patient care. Application Assistance for RCORP Behavioral Health Funding – Thursday, February 3 at 1:00 pm ET. FORHP staff will provide information for a successful application to the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Behavioral Health Care Support. Call-In number: 1-833-568-8864; participant Code: 66603797. Registration is not required to attend the 90-minute session; for those who cannot, a recording can be obtained by writing to ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov. Resource of the Week ASTHO on State Investments in Rural Health Infrastructure. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) report on the challenges in rural health care and legislative trends for 2022, including loan repayment support for medical providers, expanding behavioral health access in rural areas, increasing telehealth options, and supporting rural broadband infrastructure. Approaching Deadlines Department of Labor YouthBuild Program – January 21 HAC Affordable Housing for Rural Veterans Initiative – January 21 CDC Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health – January 24 ACL Empowering Communities for Chronic Disease Self-Management – January 25 ACL Empowering Communities to Deliver and Sustain Falls Prevention Programs – January 25 CDC Public Health Associate Program – January 25 CDC Seeking Public Input on Work-Related Stress for Health Workers – Extended to January 25 HRSA Delta Region Rural Health Workforce Training Program – January 25 CDC Cancer Prevention and Control for State, Territorial, and Tribal Organizations – January 26 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates to the Federal Health Insurance Exchanges – January 27 HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – extended to January 27 HRSA Access to HIV Services for Women and Children – January 28 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – January 28 HHS COVID-19 and Health Equity Impact Fellowship – extended to January 31 HHS Technology Challenge for Racial Equity in Postpartum Care – January 31 HRSA Centers of Excellence for Training Minorities in Health Professions – January 31 SAMHSA-American Psychiatric Association Diversity Leadership Fellowship – January 31 HRSA Leadership Education in Adolescent Health – February 1 Indian Health Service Behavioral Health Integration Initiative – February 2 Indian Health Service Domestic Violence Prevention Program – February 2 Indian Health Service Forensic Healthcare Services for Domestic Violence Prevention – February 2 Indian Health Service Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program – February 2 Indian Health Service Zero Suicide Initiative – February 2 National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs – Extended to February 3 CDC Research to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence and Injuries – February 4 Comments Requested: NIH Draft Report on Priorities for Rural Telehealth – February 4 NTIA Request for Comment on Broadband Programs in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – February 4 RWJF Summer Health Professions Education Program for Underrepresented Minorities – February 5 HRSA Predoctoral Training in Public Health Dentistry and Dental Hygiene – February 7 SAMHSA Harm Reduction Program – February 7 VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families – February 7 USDA Farm and Food Worker Relief Grants – February 8 PCORI Funding for Broad Pragmatic Studies – Letters of Intent February 8 IHS Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation – February 10 IHS Tribal Self-Governance Planning – February 10 CDC Strengthening Infection Prevention – February 11 Rural Healthy People 2030 Survey – February 14 SAMHSA Grants for Rural Emergency Medical Services Training – February 14 CDC Public Health Associate Program Host Sites – February 18 CDC Evaluating Substance Use Prevention Incorporating ACEs Prevention – February 22 HRSA Mobile Health Training - Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention – February 22 USDA Rural eConnectivity Broadband Loan and Grant Program – February 22 DOL Employment Services for Homeless Vets – February 23 Comments Requested: 2023 Proposed Updates to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Program – March 7 HRSA Rural Health and Economic Development Analysis Program – March 8 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Behavioral Health Care Technical Assistance (RCORP-BHCTA) – March 9 CDC Rigorous Evaluation of Recovery Support Services – March 14 CDC Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country – March 16 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholars Program – March 16 HRSA Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program – March 18 HRSA Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program – March 21 USDA Program for Women and Minorities in STEM Fields – March 31 FCC/USAC Rural Health Care Connect Fund – April 1 FCC/USAC Telecommunications Program – April 1 HRSA Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program – April 5 USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program – April 5 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Behavioral Health Care Support – April 19 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 Affordable Connectivity Program FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance HRSA Payment Program for Buprenorphine-Trained Clinicians – Until Funds Run Out 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 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Seed Grants for Climate Change and Health – Quarterly through August 2023 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 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 Seeking Nominations for Migrant Health Advisory 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 Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health – May 2022 NIH Practice-Based Research for Primary Care Suicide Prevention – June 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 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 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 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