May 19, 2022 What's New New Federal Funding to Increase Internet Access. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Internet for All, a $65 billion investment included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – that passed last November. The federal National Telecommunications and Information Administration, an agency within Commerce, has opened the application window for several programs that will support efforts in states and U.S. territories to close the digital gap in areas with little or no high-speed internet. This is a particular issue in rural communities given long-standing gaps relative to urban areas. A separate program, the Affordable Connectivity Program, helps low-income households pay for monthly internet service and provides discounts for laptops, tablets, and desktop computers. For more information about these opportunities as they arise, sign up for the newsletter from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth at HRSA. DOT Previews the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also provides up to $1 billion over the next five years for transportation infrastructure that facilitates mobility, access, and economic development. Rural areas face considerable challenges with transportation which creates ongoing barriers getting to and from needed health care services. For facilities eligible to apply for the funding – state, local, and tribal governments, as well as public and nonprofit planning organizations – the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a one-hour webinar TODAY at 1:30 pm ET to provide a preview. Questions Answered About New Sites for the NHSC – Deadline Extended to June 7. HRSA will hold a two-hour Q&A session for facilities applying to become an approved site for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Approved sites gain the ability to recruit and retain qualified clinicians in medical, dental, and behavioral health professions; post vacancies to HRSA's national Health Workforce Connector; and participate in HRSA Virtual Job Fairs to connect with job-seeking primary care trainees and practicing clinicians. Today's Q&A session for applicants starts at 11:30 am ET. Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Health Clinics are encouraged to apply to become a service site. Last month's webinar for rural providers is archived at the Rural Health Information Hub. Additional funding from the American Rescue Plan has created more opportunities for rural clinicians to receive loan repayment from the NHSC but, to qualify, a clinician has to be working at an eligible NHSC site. Latest Data Show Growth and Widened Disparities in Firearm Death Rates. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data showing death by firearm is a growing public health problem. From 2019 to 2020, the firearm homicide rate increased about 35 percent to the highest rate recorded in more than 25 years. The firearm suicide rate, higher than that for firearm homicide, remained level but data showed highest rates for males, older adults, and non-Hispanic White and American Indian or Alaska Native persons. HRSA Launches Crisis Hotline for Expecting and New Mothers. Professional counselors are staffing the line around the clock, offering mental health support in English or Spanish. Research from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention shows that about 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression that may be missed or misunderstood by family. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is funded by HRSA through the agency's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). In response to the nationwide shortage of baby formula, MCHB issued guidance for families and providers, with additional information from the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Feedback Requested to Improve the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network – Deadline extended to May 23. Last month, HRSA released a Request for Information seeking input on ways to strengthen the program that ensures availability and access to donor organs for patients with end-stage organ failure. Research shows social determinants of health create disparities in access to organ transplantation, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities, groups with lower socioeconomic status, and patients in rural areas. HRSA Celebrates National Nurses Month. HRSA is commemorating National Nurses Month by highlighting the significant contributions of our country's nurses. HRSA currently has more than 7,700 National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and 500 Nurse Corps participants serving at rural sites and schools across the country. About 39 percent of all NHSC nurses serve in a rural community throughout the nation. In AY 2020-2021, the Advanced Nursing Education Nurse Practitioner Residency programs trained 368 post graduate, licensed and certified Nurse Practitioners, the majority of whom trained in primary care (99 percent), medically underserved (99 percent), and rural (44 percent) settings. Join us in recognizing that 'Nurses Make a Difference' by following along on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. 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 $1.2 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 New: CDC on Supporting Patients with Post-COVID Symptoms. On its weekly Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will discuss the wide range of health consequences that are present four or more weeks after infection. Provider Relief Fund. HRSA supports health care providers facing solvency challenges that affect their ability to respond to emerging health crises in an equitable manner. New: the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services updated the state-by-state table of rural payments from the American Rescue Plan (ARP), as well as the ARP rural public data set reflecting payments to providers and suppliers serving rural Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare beneficiaries from January 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. One Stop Online for COVID Prevention and Treatment in Every County. Visitors to the site can enter their county and map nearby locations for masks, respirators, vaccines, boosters, and all testing and treatment options. Spread the Word About Vaccine Boosters. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) provides resources – posters, flyers, videos, and talking points – to help promote the extra protection from COVID-19 boosters. 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. Teams of critical care clinicians - critical care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialized clinical experts – 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. Online Resource for Licensure of Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists and Social Workers. The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing in each state. 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. Webinar recordings explaining RHC vaccine programs are available on the National Association of Rural Health Clinics website. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Resources for COVID-19. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders. 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 DOJ Alaska Native Youth Training and Technical Assistance – June 27. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will enter into a cooperative agreement with a single agency to provide culturally relevant training and technical assistance to support Alaska Native villages and communities in their efforts to create or expand programs, services, and supports for youth. HRSA Faculty Loan Repayment Program – June 30. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) will repay up to $40,000 of student loan debt in return for two years' faculty service at an eligible health professions school. Eligible applicants include professionals in allied health, behavioral/mental health, dentistry/dental hygiene, medicine, and nursing who: 1) come from a disadvantaged background, 2) have an eligible health professions degree, and 3) are contracted faculty at an approved health professions school. Other health professions are also qualified; BHW encourages teaching faculty in rural communities to apply. USDA: The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Produce Prescription Program – June 30. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires a letter of support from one or more health care partners for projects that provide incentives for eligible individuals to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Eligible applicants are limited to government agencies and nonprofit organizations; grantees may receive up to $500,000 each for a three-year project. ACF Regional Partnerships for Children/Families Affected by Substance Abuse – July 8. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will make 18 awards, each for up to $600,000 per year for a five-year project. Grantees will form regional partnerships with a wide range of family-serving agencies, including but not limited to child welfare agencies, substance abuse treatment providers, mental health agencies, courts, and other service organizations. CDC Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans – July 8. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) will make 40 awards of up to $125,000 each to state, local, and tribal governments. Grantees will develop an implementation-ready plan to reduce disparities related to chronic disease in underserved populations. These include racial/ethnic minorities, people living in rural communities, and those otherwise affected by persistent poverty or inequality. 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. Comparison of Cancer Treatment Services across Hospitals. For this brief from the Rural and Minority Health Research Center, the percentage of Critical Access Hospitals, urban Prospective Payment System hospitals, and rural Prospective Payment System hospitals with comprehensive oncology services, chemotherapy services, and radiation therapy were reported for the period between 2008 and 2017. Oncology care services based on the number of miles to the nearest cancer hospital are reported for all hospitals and small hospitals. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Evaluation of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model: Fifth Annual Report. In 2016, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services initiated the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model in nine states: Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. The report evaluates the impacts of the HHVBP Model on Medicare expenditures, healthcare utilization, quality of care and patient experience, and agency operations. It discusses rural access to high-quality home health agencies and the impact of HHVBP on rural home health patients. In the CY 2022 HH PPS Final Rule, CMS finalized the expansion of the HHVBP Model in all 50 states, District of Columbia and the territories. How State Offices of Rural Health Can Support CMS Section 131 (GME "Reset"). The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) recently published state fact sheets created by the Rural Residency Planning and Development Technical Assistance Center to help identify hospitals that may be eligible for a one-time opportunity to reset their Medicare graduate medical education (GME) FTE caps and/or PRAs under new payment rules. Hospitals must carefully review their data in the Hospital Cost Report Information System posted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to determine eligibility. If the data is incorrect and does not show that the hospital is eligible, they must electronically submit complete documentation to their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) demonstrating reset eligibility no later than July 1, 2022. Learning Events and Technical Assistance AgriSafe: QPR Mental Health for Farmers and Farm Families – Each Thursday in May. Over the last decade, farmers and farm families have experienced increasing pressures resulting in high levels of stress, mental health, and suicide. QPR training teaches laypeople and professionals to recognize and respond to mental health crises using the approach of Question, Persuade, and Refer. National Rural Substance Use Disorder Health Equity and Stigma Summit – May 18-20. The event will focus on the challenges that are brought on by substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) and equip rural providers, community-based organizations, and other recovery champions with actionable strategies and information on how to successfully address barriers to those seeking SUD/OUD care. This event is supported by the University of Rochester RCOE, one of three FORHP-funded RCORP-Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders. HRSA on National Women's Health Week (NWHW) – Thursday, May 19 at 3:00 pm ET. For the next installment of HRSA's Women's Health Leadership Series, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service's Administration will join HRSA Region 9 to discuss resources and opportunities for maternal mental health care. HRSA Workforce Grand Rounds Webinar Series: Telehealth – Tuesday, May 24 at 1:00 pm ET. At the next session, join us to discuss telehealth's impact on the healthcare workforce, its role in bridging primary and behavioral services, potential barriers and challenges with telehealth services, and the future of telehealth post-pandemic. Understanding Telehealth Policies for COVID at Rural Health Clinics – Tuesday, May 24 at 2:00 pm ET. The National Association for Rural Health Clinics will hold this hour-long session to review early telehealth data and explain what types of telehealth benefits can be offered. Building Rural Recovery Ecosystems Summit – June 8-10. Registration is now open for the upcoming Summit that will take place over two days in Memphis, TN. The event will bring together rural recovery housing operators, owners, and other rural recovery champions to learn about the latest innovations and best practices that will expand the capacity and effectiveness of recovery housing in rural America. This event is supported by the Fletcher Group, one of three FORHP-funded RCORP-Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders. Resources of the Week State Telehealth Laws and Reimbursement Policies, Spring 2022. The Center for Connected Health Policy released its semi-annual report, covering state telehealth policy made between January and mid-April 2022. Bipartisan Policy Center: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Rural Health Care Landscape. The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a think tank combining ideas and solutions from both parties. This report contains recommendations for stabilizing rural health care, including an examination of the Rural Emergency Hospital model. Approaching Deadlines DOJ Violence Against Women Grants to Tribal Governments – May 19 DOJ Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grants – May 20 EPA Tribal Environmental Justice Small Grants – May 20 DOJ Mentoring for Youth Affected by Drug Misuse – May 23 HRSA Transforming Pediatrics for Early Childhood – May 23 Feedback Requested to Improve the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network – extended to May 23 USDA Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grants – May 23 DOT Public Transportation on Indian Reservations – May 25 SAMHSA Providers' Clinical Support System – Universities – May 27 Comments Requested: CMS Proposes Updates for Hospice – May 31 Comments Requested: CMS Proposes Updates for Psychiatric Facilities – May 31 Comments Requested: CMS Proposes Updates for Rehabilitation Facilities – May 31 DOT Bus and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Program – May 31 HRSA Public Health Scholarship Program – June 1 SAMHSA Building Communities of Recovery – June 3 Delta Regional Authority States Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) – June 5 CDC Expansion of Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Across the U.S. – June 6 USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants – June 6 New Sites for National Health Service Corps – extended to June 7 Apply to Provide Technical Assistance for Rural Health Workforce Training – June 8 Comment Requested: Updates to Medicare Policies and Rates for Skilled Nursing Facilities – June 10 HRSA Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Centers – Northern Border Region – June 10 DOJ Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program – June 13 SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework for SUD/Partnerships for Success - June 13 HRSA Community Health Worker Training Program – June 14 SAMHSA Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Regional Centers – June 14 Comments Requested: CMS Proposes Medicare Inpatient Hospital Payment Rules – June 17 Comments Requested: CMS Proposes "Birthing-Friendly" Hospital Designation – June 17 CMS Requests Information on Issues of Health Equity – June 17 Department of Interior Indian Business Incubator Grants – June 17 HRSA Delta Region Rural Health Workforce Training Program – June 17 IHS Ending the HIV/HCV Epidemics in Indian Country – June 17 DOJ Second Chance Act Pay for Success Initiative – June 21 NIH Practice-Based Research for Primary Care Suicide Prevention – June 21 ACF Demonstration Grants for Human Trafficking in Native Communities – June 25 Comments Requested: CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Enrollment and Eligibility Rules – June 27 DOI Native American Business Development Institute – June 27 DOJ Alaska Native Youth Training and Technical Assistance - June 27 SAMHSA Tribal Opioid Response Grants – June 27 HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program – June 28 HRSA Faculty Loan Repayment Program – June 30 USDA: The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Produce Prescription Program – June 30 Indian Health Service Coordinating Center for Zero Suicide Initiative – July 6 NIH Cancer Control Research in Persistent Poverty Areas – July 6 ACF Regional Partnerships for Children/Families Affected by Substance Abuse - July 8 CDC Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans - July 8 DOL Appalachian/Delta Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities – July 8 Ongoing Opportunities CFPB Rental Assistance Finder Extended Public Comment Period for FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program FCC Affordable Connectivity Program for Broadband Service FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance HRSA Payment Program for Buprenorphine-Trained Clinicians – Until Funds Run Out AgriSafe Mental Health Training for Agricultural Producers & Families AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program – March 2023 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 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 Practice-Based Research for Primary Care Suicide Prevention – February 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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