October 13, 2022 What's New USDA Awards $110 Million to Improve Health Care in Rural Towns. Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced grants for more than 200 rural health care organizations. The funding will be used for building and renovating facilities, increasing staffing, purchasing medical supplies, and implementing nutrition assistance programs among other projects. Losing Access to Maternity Care. A new report from the March of Dimes finds that more than a third of U.S. counties (36 percent) have no obstetric providers, hospitals, or birth centers. These areas are largely rural areas in the Midwest and South, with a greater impact on women of color: one in 4 Native American babies, and 1 in 6 Black babies, were born in areas with limited or no access to maternity care services. The report says that roughly 900 women died of pregnancy-related causes in 2020, adding that nearly two-thirds of such deaths are preventable. Workforce Implications for the Rural Emergency Hospital. Among other challenges and considerations for transitioning to the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation, is one that is common for rural providers: finding and retaining a quality workforce. Rural hospitals that choose to convert to REHs can cut costs by eliminating acute care services, but they must maintain a fully staffed emergency department as well as laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy services. This open access article in Health Affairs Forefront, outlines staffing options for REHs and strategies to provide primary and behavioral health services in rural settings. Stay Aware of Domestic Violence in Rural America. October is the month for Domestic Violence Awareness, though an estimated 10 million men and women in the United States know about it daily. Several characteristics of rural living make the problem difficult to see, however; distance and geographic location, barriers to transportation and affordable housing, the stigma of abuse and, often, family connections with people in positions of authority. Witnessing violence in the home is recognized by researchers as a significant Adverse Childhood Experience that could lead to a lifetime of chronic health conditions such as depression, asthma, cancer and diabetes. In 2017, HRSA began an agency-wide Strategy to Address Intimate Partner Violence, and plans an update in 2023. Get rural-specific data and resources from the Rural Health Information Hub. Those seeking immediate assistance should contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233). More About NIH Funding for Addiction Research. In September, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced plans for research in rural and remote populations for effective non-opioid interventions for chronic pain management. The NIH's Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative to speed scientific solutions to the national opioid public health crisis, is intending to commit $5.7M in FY2023 to this effort, which will result in five to six awards. The funding opportunity requires partnerships with health care systems or organizations and community partners, and encourages links to key rural partners such as State Offices of Rural Health, State Rural Health Associations and Area Health Education Centers. On Monday, October 24 at 12.00 pm ET, NIH will hold a one-hour technical assistance webinar for applicants. Provide Your Feedback on Emergency Services for Roadway Crashes in Rural Areas. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a National Roadway Safety Strategy to bring down the number of people who die in motor vehicle crashes. One of the five key objectives of this plan is post-crash care, the emergency response and trauma care that is critical to the survivability of crashes. Recent research has shown that nearly half of fatal crashes in the United States occur on rural roads. The National EMS Advisory (NEMSAC) Council seeks input from rural emergency medical services (EMS) on their formal submission to DOT's National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration about the proposed plan. There are two NEMSAC letters for your consideration: the first provides advice on major actions the DOT can take to reduce fatalities; the second calls for adoption of the National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines (3rd Edition) and the 2021 National Trauma Field Triage Guidelines. Comments and questions must be submitted to NHTSA.NEMSAC@dot.gov by October 21, 2022, at 5 pm ET. CMS Wants Your Input on Establishing a National Directory of Health Care Providers and Services – Respond by December 6. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on the concept of CMS creating a directory with information on health care providers and services or a "National Directory of Healthcare Providers and Services" (NDH). Health care directories can serve as an important resource for patients, helping them locate providers who meet their individual needs and preferences and allowing them to compare health plan networks. Directories also have the ability to facilitate care coordination, health information exchange, and public health data reporting. CMS is specifically requesting public feedback on the NDH concept and potential benefit; provider types, entities and data elements that could be included; the technical framework for an NDH; priorities for a possible phased implementation; and prerequisites and actions CMS should consider to address potential challenges and risks. Rural stakeholders may consider commenting to ensure CMS receives input on considerations for rural providers and patients. 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 Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Shots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anticipates continued circulation of the virus, with potential for surges over the next several months. To reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, CDC has a new online tool to help individuals and families find out when to get a booster. On September 12, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced that people with public, private, or no insurance coverage can get COVID-19 vaccines at no cost, for as long as the federal government continues purchasing and distributing them. To find nearby locations for vaccines, masks, testing, and treatment, visit COVID.gov. 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 Department of Education Grants for School Based Mental Health Services – November 3. Up to 150 state and local educational agencies will receive as much as $3 million each to increase the number of qualified school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, or other mental health professionals. Rural location is a priority for these grants that will go to school districts with a demonstrated need. The U.S. Department of Education is also investing $143 million in the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program – November 3. Up to 250 awards will go to state or local education agencies that propose to work with an institution of higher education to place graduate students in mental health professions training into local schools. National Library of Medicine Health Information Outreach – Region 1 – November 4. This branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) makes rural populations a priority for funding that aims to improve health literacy and increase the ability of the general public to find and use health information. Applicants must be located in NIH Region 1: Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. HRSA Primary Care Training and Enhancement - Residency Training in Mental and Behavioral Health – November 15. HRSA will invest $11.5 million for an estimated 23 awards; priority will be given to proposals to train residents in rural areas. Eligible applicants include accredited public or private nonprofit hospitals and schools of medicine to train primary care residents in mental and behavioral health for pediatric, adolescent, young adult, and other populations who are at-risk or have experienced abuse, trauma, or mental health and/or substance use disorders, including those related to the effects of gun violence. NIH Health Services Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities – November 17. The National Institutes of Health supports research to reduce disparities for populations that include racial/ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, and rural populations. WWAMI Area Health Education Center Scholars Program - Ongoing. The Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho Area Health Education Center (WWAMI AHEC) offers hands-on training in rural and underserved communities within the WWAMI states. The program requires a two-year commitment and consists of classroom or online instruction and hands-on clinical training in addition to the regular coursework required by the degree program. 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. Changes in the Supply and Rural-Urban Distribution of Selected Behavioral Health Providers. This series of data briefs from the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center shows fewer per capita behavioral health providers in rural vs. urban counties as well as disparities in the supply of providers across rural categories and Census Divisions. While the per capita supply of psychiatrists declined over the past decade, the supply of psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, social workers, and counselors increased in both rural and urban counties. Policy Updates Visit the FORHP Policy page to see all recent updates and send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. IRS Finalizes Policies to Resolve "Family Glitch" Issue in the Health Insurance Marketplace. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a final rule to amend the regulations for the premium tax credit (PTC) meant to reduce the cost of coverage for plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace. This rule addresses the "Family Glitch" issue under previous regulations, which had defined employer-based health insurance as "affordable" if the coverage bought was solely for the employee and not for family members (making them ineligible for PTCs). Marketplace plans are an important source of coverage for people in rural areas, who represent approximately 15 percent of Marketplace enrollees in states using HealthCare.gov. Also see the CMS call for input on a National Directory of Health Care Providers and Services under What's New. Learning Events and Technical Assistance White House Rural Partners Call – Thursday, October 13 at 3:00 pm ET. On this week's call, the White House Office of Public Engagement will be joined by USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long who will discuss resources available to families in celebration of National School Lunch Week. Long COVID & Fatiguing Illness Recovery Program – Thursday, October 13 at 3:00 pm ET. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fund this monthly webinar-style ECHO learning session to rapidly disseminate Post-COVID Conditions (PCC) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) findings and emerging best practices. The series will offer didactic presentations by subject matter experts, examples of emerging best practices and models of care, and a facilitated Q&A. This program is intended primarily for providers who care for patients with PCC and ME/CFS but is open to all healthcare professionals and all Long COVID and ME/CFS patient-lived experience experts interested in learning more about the treatment of Long COVID and ME/CFS. Federal Resources for Rural Communities: Tips for Writing a Successful Grant Application – Tuesday, October 18 at 1:00 pm ET. Advance registration is required for this three-hour webinar. FORHP will share information about some of our grant programs and what you need to know for a successful application. This offering is part of our effort to address health disparities by raising awareness of federal programs, so we hope readers will share with anyone who may not be aware of FORHP or our resources. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps: Messaging Equity and Justice for Better Health – Tuesday, October 18 at 3:00 pm ET. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin will share new research into effective ways to communicate about equity and justice. Virtual UnConference: Cultivating Telementoring Solutions for the Rural Health Workforce – Wednesday, October 26th at 11:00 am ET. The Rural Telementoring Training Center (RTTC) is hosting this four-hour conference that will feature an array of brief presentations on topics relevant to rural health care delivery, followed by interactive discussion, idea generation, and collaboration. You drive the agenda. You shape the conversation. The RTTC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. HRSA on Border Health and Lessons Learned During Pandemic – Wednesday, October 26 at 11:30 am ET. HRSA's Office of Global Health hosts a 2.5 hour discussion on the value of improved health care outcomes in the border region from a global and domestic perspective. They'll also address the importance of a skilled and diverse workforce, including community health workers and behavioral health specialists. Feature speakers will discuss successful practices, challenges, share stories, and grassroots efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, contact Silia Herrera at HRSAGHForum@hrsa.gov. Learn About AmeriCorps Public Health Program – Wednesday, October 26 at 1:00 pm ET. FORHP and the Rural Health Information Hub invite organizations to attend this overview of the new Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA), a new national service program in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that will recruit and train nearly 3,000 AmeriCorps Members. The 2023 funding opportunity will create a pipeline of public health leaders to support COVID-19 recovery, health equity, and local public health. During the one-hour webinar, organizations will hear from the PHA director who will discuss the program and how to apply for funding. The webinar is free but interested organizations must register. Applying for the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – Wednesday, October 26 at 3:00 pm ET. In a one-hour webinar, FORHP program staff will provide assistance for the funding that supports planning for the integration of health networks in rural areas. The application deadline for the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program is January 6. Resources of the Week Resource Guide to Mental Health Services from the NASMHPD. A range of resources for implementing the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is featured prominently, along with guides for financing crisis support, reaching specific populations and much more from the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. Family Physicians and Maternal Health in Rural America. This 38-minute episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast is a discussion with two experts on the challenges and joy of providing maternal care in rural areas. Approaching Deadlines DOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program – October 13 HUD Older Adults Home Modification Grants – October 13 Save the Children: Rural Child Hunger Innovation Lab – Letters of Intent October 14 BIA National Tribal Broadband Grant – October 17 HRSA Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program – October 18 HUD Supplemental Funding to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness – October 20 Comments Requested: CMS Proposals for Medicaid & CHIP Quality Reporting – October 21 FORE Community-Driven Response to OUD and Overdose Mortality - October 21 NIH HEAL Initiative: Prevention and Management of Chronic Pain in Rural Populations – Letters of Intent October 22 HUD Community Development Block Grants for Tribes, Alaska Native Villages – October 24 SAMHSA Support for 988 Tribal Response – October 25 American Academy of Family Physicians Health Equity Fellowship – October 30 Federal Transit Administration Community Mobility Ready-to-Launch Grants – Response to Screening Questions October 30 USDA Rural Energy for America (REAP) Grants and Loans – October 31 American Academy of Pediatrics Immunization Grants – November 1 HRSA Geriatrics Academic Career Award Program – November 3 USDA Rural eConnectivity Broadband Loans and Grants – November 2 Department of Education Grants for School Based Mental Health Services – November 3 Department of Education Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program – November 3 CMS Seeks Feedback on Challenges During COVID-19 – November 4 National Library of Medicine Health Information Outreach – Region 1 – November 4 Comment on CMS Changes to Medicaid, CHIP, and Basic Health Program Application Process – November 7 RWJF Health Policy Fellows – November 7 HRSA Primary Care Training and Enhancement - Residency Training in Mental and Behavioral Health – November 15 NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program – November 17 NIH Health Services Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities – November 17 NIH Common Fund: Community-Led Health Equity Structural Intervention Initiative – Letters of Intent November 18 NIH Researching Integrated HIV/AIDS, Addiction, and Primary Care Services – November 18 HRSA Preventive Medicine Residency Program – November 21 NIH HEAL Initiative: Prevention and Management of Chronic Pain in Rural Populations – November 21 EPA Brownfield Assessment Grants – November 22 EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grants – November 22 EPA Brownfield Multipurpose Grants – November 22 EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Grants – November 22 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Program – November 22 National Health Service Corp Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – December 1 AmeriCorps State and National Grants – January 4 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – January 6 HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development Program – January 27 Ongoing Opportunities CDC Monkeypox Vaccine Equity Pilot Program 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 USDA Emergency Rural Health Care Grants (Track One only) – September 2023 or until funds run out VA Rapid Retraining Assistance Program – December 2022 or Until Funds Run Out ACF Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ACF Rural Community Development Program for Rural Water Systems 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 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 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Underserved/Vulnerable Populations – 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 Oweesta Native CDFI Loan Funds and Technical Assistance 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 USDA Water and Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and Colonias USDOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) WWAMI Area Health Education Center Scholars Program | 
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