August 4, 2022 What's New Awareness for Disparities in Organ Donation. August is the month for bringing attention to the gap between the number of organ donors and the number of people who are African American, Hispanic, and Native American, or Asian/Pacific Islander who need life-saving organs or tissues. Of more than 100,000 people waiting for organ transplants, nearly 60 percent are from multicultural communities. Researchers have cited low socio-economic status as a primary driver of racial disparities. Rural location also presents barriers to patients needing transplant; those who are older, lacking advanced education, underemployed, or Medicaid beneficiaries are less likely to get on waitlists. Chronic Conditions Common in Younger Adults. Using self-reported answers found in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measured prevalence of chronic conditions for adults aged 18-34. Overall, about one-half reported at least one chronic condition, with the most common being obesity (25 percent), depression (21.3 percent), and high blood pressure (10.7 percent). In rural areas, almost 60 percent reported having at least one chronic condition. Examining Peer-Based Services for OUD in Rural EDs. Researchers looked at what happens in rural and urban emergency departments (EDs) when peer-based services are used for patients arriving with opioid use disorder (OUD). The study aimed to find gaps in knowledge for rural EDs and found five key differences from urban counterparts that presented a challenge. Among these was difficulty identifying community partners. Center on Rural Innovation Explains the Many Definitions of Rural. The national nonprofit describes differences in the two definitions (out of more than a dozen) that affect the way the federal government, private industry, banks, and philanthropies make investment decisions: the U.S. Census and the Office of Management and Budget. These differences often mean different social and economic outcomes. You can get more insight into the definitions that affect health care investments, including the definition used by FORHP, at the Rural Health Information Hub. New Data on Health Care Workforce Diversity. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce recently released a data dashboard that allows users to find detailed demographic information for nearly 40 health care occupations. Its visualizations will also give users new insights on the diversity of the U.S. health workforce. The information comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey that provides five-year estimates on a number of demographic variables, and adds to a growing list of data tools about U.S. health care workforce. 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 Providers Clinical Support System. COVID-19 Resources 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 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is now open for reporting on use of funds in Reporting Period 3. Providers who received one or more PRF payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, during the third Payment Received Period (January 1 to June 30, 2021) must report on their use of funds by September 30, 2022. New users can get started by registering in the PRF Reporting Portal (if not yet completed). If a reporting entity has previously reported, they do not need to register again and may log into the portal with their username, TIN, and password. For more information visit the PRF Reporting web page. COVID-19 Vaccines Available for Children Under Age 5. In June, the federal committee that advises on all vaccines recommended that all children 6 months and older should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Parents can reach out to their doctor, nurse, local pharmacy, health department, or visit vaccines.gov to learn more about vaccine safety and to find availability nearby. New: Research identifies the most effective messages for parents. Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Shots. On May 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 who completed their primary vaccination more than five months ago. The CDC also strengthened its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least four months after their first. Visit COVID.gov to find nearby locations for masks, testing, vaccines, and treatment. 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 DRA Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy - August 12. The federal Delta Regional Authority (DRA) offers a year-long professional development opportunity for leaders from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and industries to improve the economy and social viability of the counties and parishes served by the DRA. The program is free to selected leadership fellows and includes up to $1,000 in reimbursement for costs of travel, lodging, program materials, and meals during the session dates. National Telehealth Research Symposium Call for Abstracts – August 15. Focus categories include, but are not limited to: research, policy, education, administration, and state of the art. The annual event hosted by the Society for Education and the Advancement of Research in Connected Health (SEARCH) will be held November 16-18, 2022. ARC Training for Nonprofits in Appalachia – August 19. The federal Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will provide online training, coaching, and funding designed to build organizational capacity for nonprofit organizations in the 423 counties served by the ARC. The Fall 2022 course is a 10-week virtual training program beginning in September and requires 4-6 hours per week. Assistance is provided at no cost to participants; organizations completing the training will have the opportunity to receive a grant up to $25,000 to be used for any project identified during the course. NACCHO Mentorship Program for Health Equity and Overdose Prevention – August 19. The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) will pair local health departments with peers that have experience advancing health equity in their overdose prevention or response programs. The program is seeking applicants for mentors and mentees. Mentor applicants must have demonstrated expertise in active overdose prevention and response; mentee applicants must have an interest in addressing one of the key health equity strategy areas, and have one staff member willing to dedicate 5-6 hours per month for learning. USDA Small Business Innovation Research, Phase 1 – October 6. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds research for the development of new technologies for problems affecting rural America. Priority topics include food science and nutrition, community development, water and air quality, and expanding broadband access. Small businesses with fewer than 500 employees may receive up to $181,500 each from a total investment of $13 million. NIH Researching Mental Health Practices in Low-Resource Settings – September 2024. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides grants for research to test the effectiveness of strategies for evidence-based mental health treatments for underserved populations. Among these are ethnic/racial minorities, refugees, individuals who are incarcerated or recently released, and people living in rural and frontier areas. American Heart Association Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator – Ongoing. The three year initiative is designed to eliminate health disparities with learning collaboratives and professional education for hospitals and clinicians. The national nonprofit will support up to 700 rural hospitals at no cost. SAMHSA Training to Provide Medication Assisted Treatment – Ongoing. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is partnering with HRSA's National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to increase the number of clinicians authorized to prescribe buprenorphine and other medications used in treatment for opioid use disorder. The training is offered through SAMHSA's Provider Clinical Support System. Clinicians eligible to train and receive clearance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are: physicians (MD or DO), nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. Medical students may complete the training but will not be eligible for the DEA waiver until they are licensed. Trained clinicians may receive award preference from the NHSC when application cycles open for the SUD Workforce Loan Repayment Program and the Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. Learn more and sign up for notifications. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Request for Information on How to Improve Medicare Advantage – due August 31. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeks responses to a series of questions on how to improve Medicare Advantage in regards to improving health equity and serving rural populations, expanding access to care, promoting person-centered care, and engaging partners. In 2021, over a third of rural Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Comments Requested: Proposed Rule on Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities – due September 26. Last week, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released a proposed rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age and disability in certain health programs and activities. Proposals include clarification of nondiscrimination requirements that apply to activities offered via telehealth, and requiring staff to have training on effective communication for people with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities. Medicare Finalizes SNF, IRF, IPF, and Hospice Payment Rules. CMS released final rules for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF), Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPF), and Hospices. Each rule updates Medicare payment and quality measurement policies for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, which begins October 1. Average payments for rural SNFs, IRFs, IPFs, and hospices in FY 2023 are projected to increase by 2.5%, 3.1%, 2.9 %, and 3.8%, respectively, compared to FY 2022. Medicare Finalizes Inpatient Hospital Payment Rules. CMS released the (FY) 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System (PPS) final rule on August 1, 2022. The rule establishes fee-for-service payment rates and policies for inpatient hospitals and LTCHs. For FY 2023, the hospital payment rate will increase by 4.3% resulting in a $2.6 billion hospital payment increase for FY 2023. CMS finalized graduate medical education polices to increase flexibilities for rural hospitals participating in residency training through rural track programs. Finally, the rule also builds on key CMS priorities to advance health equity. Policy efforts include three new health equity-focused measures in the Inpatient Quality Reporting program and a focus on improving maternal health outcomes with the establishment of a "Birthing-Friendly" hospital designation. The final rule will be effective January 1, 2023. Learning Events and Technical Assistance Closing the Gap: Homelessness to Housing Webinar Series – Thursday, August 4 at 1:30 pm ET. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development includes considerations for rural areas and tribal nations in this 90-minute webinar on effective response to homelessness. Mental Health & Rural Residency Training Webinar – Tuesday, August 9 at 12:00 pm ET. In this one-hour webinar session, the FORHP-funded Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) -Technical Assistance Center will discuss the untapped potential of mental health graduate medical education (GME) training through Collaborative Care Model and ECHO programs. The RRPD-TAC provides monthly webinars to support RRPD award recipients and are open to other organizations interested in learning more about rural residency program development and GME. California Telehealth Resource Center Annual Summit – August 9-10. Registration is now available for the virtual event for all care providers, telemedicine personnel, and other health care providers. This year's agenda features topics related to telehealth including digital equity, rural health, virtual care best practices, specialty program highlights, and insight on revenue and policy from industry experts. Limited scholarship codes are available for non-vendor participants, contact CalTRC@ochin.org. The CalTRC is one of 12 regional Telehealth Resource Centers supported by HRSA. 2021 Health Center Data Trends – Tuesday, August 9 at 1:00 pm ET. Learn about trends in 2021 Uniform Data System (UDS) data on health center patient demographics, staffing, and clinical quality measures. Speakers will highlight health centers' efforts to increase primary care access for rural and other populations and answer your questions about how to access UDS data. The UMMC Project ECHO for Dermatology – Wednesday, August 10 at 12:45 pm ET. This hour-long session will take place on the second Wednesday of each month by video conference. Specialists in dermatology will share expertise to help remote providers expand treatment. Research has shown one in four primary care visits includes some type of skin complaint. This month's topic is drug rashes. Disaster Available Supplies in Hospitals (DASH) – Monday, August 15 at 11:30 am ET. DASH is an online, interactive tool for hospital emergency planners and supply chain staff to estimate supplies that may be needed during various emergencies. The office for emergency preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will introduce stakeholders to the DASH tool in this hour-long webinar. HRSA on Minority Donor Awareness Month – Wednesday, August 17 at 12:00 pm ET. HRSA's Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs dispels myths and misconceptions regarding organ donation in Hispanic communities. Please note, this webinar is being offered entirely in Spanish with live English translations. NRTRC 2022 Telehealth Conference – September 26-28. The Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC) invites participants to its annual conference virtually or in person Salt Lake City, Utah. The agenda includes opportunities to network and learn about innovative telehealth models, policy, and what's to come. Apply by August 15 for a limited number of scholarships available for employees at Indian Health Services facilities, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, or Critical Access Hospitals. Resources of the Week COPD Data and Statistics. The new page from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention provides data for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the national, state, and county levels. Data show how COPD prevalence and death rates have changed over time and across different U.S. geographic locations. The percentage of adults in rural areas diagnosed with COPD is nearly double the percentage in large metropolitan areas. The Vaccines for Children Program. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention oversee the purchase and distribution for all children under age 19 who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or are American Indian or Alaska Natives. This guide from the National Academy for State Health Policy explains current gaps in vaccine access for children and how states are addressing barriers to enrollment and cost burdens for providers. Telehealth Strategies for Maternal Care. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute conducted a rapid review of telehealth use for prenatal and postpartum health care visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their report indicates telehealth is a promising alternative to in-person care and also finds gaps that point to future research priorities. Approaching Deadlines National Environmental Public Health Internship - August 8 NIH Research – Alcohol and Other Substance Use – August 10 DRA Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy - August 12 CDC Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure – August 15 DOJ Supporting Vulnerable Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care – August 15 Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program – August 15 National Telehealth Research Symposium Call for Abstracts – August 15 NIH Researching Social Connectedness for SUD Treatment – August 15 USDA Rural Placemaking Challenge – August 15 Comments Requested: CMS Home Health Policies and Payment Updates for 2023 – August 16 ARC Training for Nonprofits in Appalachia – August 19 HRSA Registered Nurse Training Program – August 19 NACCHO Mentorship Program for Health Equity and Overdose Prevention – August 19 HRSA Nurse Education - Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academies Program – August 22 Comments Requested: CMS ESRD Policies and Payment Updates for 2023 – August 22 EPA Training/Technical Assistance for Rural Wastewater Treatment – August 22 HUD Veterans Housing Rehabilitation/Modification Pilot Program – August 24 Natl Center for American Indian Health Professions Pre-Admissions Workshops - August 24 Comments Requested: Rural Emergency Hospital Conditions of Medicare Participation – August 29 Request for Information on How to Improve Medicare Advantage – August 31 USDA Capacity Building for Historically Black 1890 Land-Grant Institutions – August 31 Comments Requested: Medicare Updates Physician Payment and Other Policies for 2023 – September 6 Department of Education Full Service Community Schools Program – September 12 Comments Requested: CY2023 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Proposed Rule – September 13 Comments Requested: Proposed Rule on Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities – September 26 Department of Education Promise Neighborhoods Program – September 27 CMS New Model for Cancer Care in Medicare – September 30 NTIA Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure – September 30 USDA Small Business Innovation Research, Phase 1 – October 6 HRSA Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program – October 12 DOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program – October 13 HUD Supplemental Funding to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness – October 20 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 SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Volunteer and Job Opportunities VA Rapid Retraining Assistance Program – December 2022 or Until Funds Run Out ACF Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program AgriSafe Mental Health Training for Agricultural Producers & Families AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program – March 2023 AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants – October 2023 AHRQ Research to Improve Patient Transitions through HIT – December 2022 American Heart Association Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator 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: 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 EPA Water Infrastructure and Innovation Program FEMA/SAMHSA Post-Disaster Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program 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: 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 Mental Health Practices in Low-Resource Settings – September 2024 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 Community Assistance Corporation Community Facility Loans for Western States and Pacific Islands Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development RWJF Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health RWJF Pioneering Ideas Brief Proposals SAMHSA Training to Provide Medication Assisted Treatment SBA Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Southeast Rural Community Assistance Loans Tribal Grant Writing Training Treasury Department Opportunity Zone Economic Development Program 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 Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees 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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