March 3, 2022 What's New Historic Investments to Build Wealth in Rural America. A White House fact sheet details billions of dollars for rural communities through the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding includes short term investments made in response to the pandemic, such as $398 million in funding to support COVID-19 testing and mitigation for over 1,500 small rural hospitals. Proposals for longer term investments include revitalization in coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities; support for local workforce programs and small businesses; and increasing the health care workforce and access to telehealth. National Strategy to Address Mental Health Crisis. Three directives form the strategy announced by the White House earlier this week: 1) Strengthen system capacity to expand the supply, diversity, and cultural competency of the mental health workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This effort will include training and opportunities for paraprofessionals such as community health workers and peer recovery coaches. 2) Connect patients to care by expanding and strengthening access to mental health and recovery services. The President's budget for fiscal year 2023 will propose that all health plans cover robust behavioral health services with an adequate network of providers, including three behavioral health visits each year without cost-sharing. 3) Create healthy environments by addressing social determinants of health. This will involve adjustment to standards and practices for online marketing and social media, expansion of early childhood and school-based intervention services, and mental health resources for incarcerated individuals. According to the 2020 results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 7.7 million nonmetropolitan adults reported having any mental illness, accounting for 20.5 percent of nonmetropolitan adults. At HRSA, our work to implement this strategy means taking action. HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program Includes At-Home Self-Tests, Point-of-Care Testing Supplies, and N95 Masks. Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) that are certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are among providers eligible to receive free N95 masks and at-home self-tests for COVID-19 to distribute at no cost to patients and members of the community. RHCs are also eligible to sign up to receive point-of-care testing supplies. For more information please email RHCTestKit@hrsa.gov. HRSA February Roundup. In addition to more than $560 million for Provider Relief Fund payments, the agency awarded $66.5 million to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccinations, and announced the availability of $19.2 million to expand training of primary care residents in rural and underserved communities. National Health Service Corps Celebrating 50 Years. HRSA's National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of commitment, compassion and community in rural America, and invites you to join in by sharing your experiences. Established with the Emergency Health Personnel Act of 1970, the NHSC placed its first clinicians in 20 communities in 13 states, which included physicians, dentists and nurses. Currently, rural areas of the country are served by 7,133 NHSC clinicians at more than 8,500 NHSC-approved sites. Know Your COVID-19 Community Level. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adjusted its guidance for wearing masks to allow for personal decision-making based on three levels of risk – low, medium, and high – in each community, taking into account population immunity from both vaccinations and infections. A well-fitting mask is still recommended for indoor public venues, including in K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. The CDC's COVID-19 Vaccination Equity tab shows vaccination trends by urban/rural status. As of February 23, 2022, 48.5 percent of people in rural counties are fully vaccinated, while the range of vaccination coverage in the 5 urban/metro counties ranged from 52.3 percent (micropolitan) to 66.0 percent (large central metro). 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. 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. Don't Miss: 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 ED Small Rural School Achievement Grants – April 15. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) estimates 4,260 awards of up to $60,000 each for initiatives aimed at improving student academic achievement. Along with support for effective instruction, funding may be used for health-related activities such as school-based mental health services, drug prevention, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed classroom management practices. Eligible applicants are limited to local education agencies where the total number of students in average daily attendance is fewer than 600. Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award: Stakeholder Convening Support – Letters of Intent April 4. Sponsored by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), this grant program provides funding for organizations and communities to hold convenings that include patients, researchers, clinicians, purchasers, payers, health system leaders, and other stakeholders. Convenings should focus on a central theme that unifies stakeholders around geography, health condition, and/or population, such as rural, minorities, or veterans. Letters of intent, required for application, are due on April 4. Read more about PCORI's rural-based projects. USDA Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants – April 19. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make 10 awards with total funding of $10 million to support job accelerator partnerships, formation of new businesses, and to help rural communities identify and maximize local assets. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, for-profit and non-profit organizations, local and county governments, and Tribal governments and organizations. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. CMS Announces New ACO REACH Model – Apply by April 22. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit a cohort of participants for the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH) Model. The ACO REACH Model is a redesign of the Global and Professional Direct Contracting Model (GPDC) Model. The new cohort will begin participation in the ACO REACH Model on January 1, 2023. Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) may be included as participant providers under the model. The application portal will be available beginning on March 7, 2022. VA Pilot Program on Graduate Medical Education and Residency – Comment by April 5. If finalized, a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would place medical residents in existing or new residency programs and reimburse certain costs associated with graduate medical education. The VA is considering factors for determining clinical need in certain areas, i.e., ratio of veterans to VA providers, and for placement of residents in facilities outside of the VA. This will include an evaluation of the range of clinical specialties of VA and non-VA providers in underserved rural and tribal communities. A future request for proposal will announce opportunities for placement of residents at certain underserved VA facilities as well as certain Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers. By statute, the pilot program prioritizes placement of residents in Indian Health Service facilities, Indian tribal or tribal organization facilities. Learning Events and Technical Assistance HRSA Center for Innovation: International Models in Community Health – Thursday, March 3 at 1:00 pm ET. HRSA is joining with the White House Office of Science and Technology to host a series of roundtables to look at the use of technology in community-based health settings. This session will feature a discussion on how to advance health through community-centered models from around the world. 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. PTAC Meeting on Population-Based Payment Models – Monday, March 7 at 10:00 am ET. The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) is hosting a series of discussions throughout 2022 on topics important to physician-focused payment models. This is the first public meeting, taking place over two days, with a focus on issues and opportunities for population-based Alternative Payment Models (APMs). A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office examines barriers to participation in APMs for rural providers. Impact of CMS Rule Changes on Rural GME, Part II – Tuesday, March 8 at 12:00 pm ET. In this one-hour webinar session, the FORHP-supported Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) -Technical Assistance Center will share information about several Medicare graduate medical education (GME) policy changes and issues to consider for rural hospitals and other organizations training physicians in Medicare-supported residency programs. View a recording of Part I of this series, previously presented on February 8 by the RRPD Technical Assistance Center. Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Listening Session – Thursday, March 10 at 2:30 pm ET. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services seeks public input on practices to improve provider enrollment requirements and eligibility for providers and drivers to transport Medicaid enrollees to non-emergency medical appointments. Topics include driver background screenings; patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation by drivers; and driver identification to the State Medicaid Agency. Long COVID ECHO Webinar Series – Thursday, March 10 at 3:00 pm ET. The Health Centers of San Diego, the ECHO Institute, University of Washington, and University of Colorado have collaborated to provide CDC-funded monthly webinar-style ECHO learning sessions to rapidly disseminate findings and best practices related to patients experiencing ongoing health challenges after COVID-19 infection, a condition generally known as "Long COVID." This is a monthly webinar series with sessions currently scheduled from February through June. Project ECHO (pdf) began as an effort to support the management of patients with the hepatitis C virus in rural New Mexico, and has since been adapted to a number of other health conditions and settings. Resource of the Week Grants in Motion: Rural Tribal COVID-19 Response Program. Every quarter, The Rural Monitor features Grants in Motion, highlighting some of the exceptional work FORHP grantees are achieving in their communities. This edition focuses on the Rural Tribal COVID-19 Response Program (RTCR). The program provides maximum flexibility to tribal and tribal serving organizations in their efforts to address COVID-19 within their communities. Approaching Deadlines 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 NACCHO Building Rural/Frontier Workforce Capacity for COVID-19 – March 16 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholars Program – March 16 HRSA Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program – March 18 Kresge/Kellog Community Innovations for Racial Equity – 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 Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award: Stakeholder Convening Support – Letters of Intent April 4 HRSA Pediatric Mental Health Care Access – New Area Expansion – April 5 HRSA Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program – April 5 Comments Requested: VA Pilot Program on Graduate Medical Education and Residency – 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 HRSA State Loan Repayment Program – April 8 Comments Requested: CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids – April 11 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 ED Small Rural School Achievement Grants – April 15 Request for Information: Access to Care and Coverage for People Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP – April 18 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Behavioral Health Care Support – April 19 USDA Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) – April 19 USDA Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants – April 19 CMS Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH) Model – April 22 IHS Tribal Management Grant Program – April 25 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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