February 17, 2022 What's New The Problem of the Color Line: Spatial Access to Hospital Services for Racial Minorities. In an issue focused on racism and health, the online publication Health Affairs examines the way that both race and geography contribute to uneven health outcomes in the United States. Rural ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) with high Black or American Indian/Alaska Native representation were significantly farther from hospital services than ZCTAs with high White representation. In urban areas, the opposite was true, with high White ZCTAs being farther from most services. Spread the Word About Vaccine Boosters. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) 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. A few weeks ago, 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. New Funding for Virtual Care. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced $55 million awarded to HRSA-funded health centers to increase access to health care through virtual care such as telehealth, remote patient monitoring, digital patient tools, and health information technology platforms. 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 (pdf) 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. 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 NIH Health Disparities Research Institute – March 14. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides an intensive training experience to support the career development of promising minority health/health disparities research scientists early in their careers. Applicants must have either a Ph.D., M.D./D.O., Sc.D., Dr. P.H., Pharm.D., Psy.D., D.D.S./D.M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution at the time of submitting the application. The program will take place August 15-19, 2022 and will be held in-person or virtually, depending on COVID-19 guidelines. U.S. Dept of Treasury Community Development Financial Institution – March 14. Certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) may receive one of 410 awards of up to $1 million. There are two types of awards: 1) financial assistance awards may be used for financing capital, loan loss reserves, capital reserves, or operations; and 2) technical assistance awards that allow certified CDFIs and those entities seeking to become certified to build their capacity to provide affordable financial services to low-income communities. CDFI financing is ideal for rural communities, offering better terms than loans from mainstream banks or credit unions. The Native American Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program – March 14 will make 35 awards of up to $1 million to build the capacity of certified Native CDFIs, emerging Native CDFIs, and sponsoring entities. USDA Grants for Higher Education Distance Learning in Insular Areas – March 28. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aims to strengthen capacity for distance education teaching programs in the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences in U.S. territories (insular areas) that include: American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, The Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Virgin Islands of the United States. CDC Drug Free Communities New Areas – April 11. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will invest more than $31 million for community-based coalitions working to prevent youth substance use. Eligible applicants are those that have not previously received a grant under this program, and include state/local/Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, independent school districts, and public/private institutions of higher education. USDA Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) – April 19. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awards capacity-building grants to nonprofit housing and development organizations in low-income rural communities. Eligible applicants that include local nonprofits and Federally recognized Tribal governments may receive up to $250,000. Matching funds equal to the grant amount are required. Recipients and beneficiaries of the funding must be located in a city or town that has a population of 50,000 or fewer. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. No updates this week. Learning Events and Technical Assistance Updates to the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Program – Tuesday, February 22 at 3:00 pm ET. This webinar will focus on updates to the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Program, including state resources to support COVID-19 vaccine administration. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, and the National Rural Health Association will present and will be available to answer questions. HRSA Telehealth Learning Series: A Session on Innovative Rural Health Programs – Monday, February 28 at 3:00 pm ET. This session features two recipients from HRSA's Telehealth Network Grant Program that delivers consultation services for Emergency Departments in rural areas. Surviving and Thriving. Overcoming Trauma through Recovery Housing and Programming – Thursday, March 3 at 2:00 pm ET. Presenters will discuss how trauma and adverse childhood experiences have a significant impact on individuals in recovery programs for substance use disorder. Attendees will learn the role trauma has played in the lives of those they serve, learn how to better work with this population and address their needs, and operate under a trauma-informed lens. Emphasis will be placed on issues relevant to rural areas. This event is supported by the Fletcher Group, one of three FORHP-funded Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders. Resource of the Week Get Connected Through Lifeline. This Federal program offers a monthly discount on phone, internet, or bundled package bills to qualified low-income people, that can give them the tools to access services like telehealth. Customers living on Tribal lands can receive an additional benefit. Approaching Deadlines CDC Public Health Associate Program Host Sites – February 18 Indigenous Public Health Leadership Program – February 21 CDC Evaluating Substance Use Prevention Incorporating ACEs Prevention – February 22 HRSA Mobile Health Training - Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, Retention – February 22 USDA Rural eConnectivity Broadband Loan and Grant Program – February 22 DOL Employment Services for Homeless Vets – February 23 Comments Requested: Changes to Graduate Medical Education Payments – February 25 National Indian Health Board/CDC Infectious Disease Learning Community Facilitation (PDF) – February 25 AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarships – February 28 NIH Preventing Opioid Misuse by Intervening on Social Determinants – March 2 Appalachian Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) – Letters of Intent March 3 Comments Requested: Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Advance Notice – March 4 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 National Environmental Public Health Internship – March 9 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Behavioral Health Care Technical Assistance (RCORP-BHCTA) – March 9 CDC Rigorous Evaluation of Recovery Support Services – March 14 NIH Health Disparities Research Institute – March 14 Native American Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program – March 14 U.S. Dept of Treasury Community Development Financial Institution – 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 DOJ Grants to Tribal Governments/Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction – March 22 USDA Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program – March 23 ONC Seeks Public Input on Electronic Prior Authorization – Comment by March 25 CMS Funding for Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment – March 28 USDA Grants for Higher Education Distance Learning in Insular Areas – March 28 HRSA Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program – March 31 Medicare-Funded Residency Slots – March 31 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 NIH Innovations for Improving Minority Health/Eliminating Health Disparities – April 4 HRSA Pediatric Mental Health Care Access – New Area Expansion – April 5 HRSA Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program – April 5 USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program – April 5 HRSA Area Health Education Centers – April 6 NIH Evaluating Pandemic-related Food/Housing Policies on Disparity Populations – April 7 CDC Drug Free Communities New Areas – April 11 DOT RAISE Grants for Transportation Infrastructure – April 14 HRSA Health Workforce Research Centers – April 14 USDA Rural Business Development: Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems – April 14 ACF Early Childhood Home Visiting Program for Tribal Communities – April 15 ACF Social and Economic Development Strategies for Tribal Communities – April 15 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Behavioral Health Care Support – April 19 USDA Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) – 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 Host Sites for National Environmental Public Health Internship 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 USDOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) | 
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