October 20, 2022 What's New 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. Learn how an organization or governmental entity can apply for Federal funding to deploy these volunteers to work on rural public health issues. 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. What Barriers Stand Between Physician Assistants and Rural Settings? The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) surveyed physician assistants and physician associates still in training on their interest in practicing in rural areas. Though more than a quarter (28 percent) of the survey respondents were either already working in or interested in practicing in a rural location, respondents identified several factors as barriers to an ongoing or future practice there. These ranged from not having career opportunities for a spouse/partner, to school concerns for their children, to specialties that could not be supported by a small population. GAO: Availability of Hospital-Based Obstetric Care in Rural Areas. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a new report to Congress on access to obstetric care in rural communities. GAO found that the number of rural hospitals providing obstetric services declined from 2004 through 2018. By 2018 more than half of rural counties lacked OB services. OB closures were focused in rural counties that were sparsely populated, had a majority of Black residents, and were considered low income. GAO interviewed stakeholders to identify the most important factors affecting availability of OB care and the efforts federal agencies, states, and others could take to increase availability of services. Telehealth Favored for OUD Treatment. A July 2020 survey of more than a thousand physicians who provided treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) showed that many used telehealth for the first time during the pandemic, when regulations were loosened. More than half of respondents, 54 percent, found it more effective than expected. A significant majority – 85 percent – were in favor of the temporary telehealth flexibility being permanently extended. 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. Flu Season Has Begun. Surveillance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the highest levels of respiratory illness were reported in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas for the week ending October 8. Earlier this week, the CDC reported only half of Americans got a flu vaccine during the 2021-2022 flu season. Long term, CDC found data showing that flu hospitalization rates were nearly 80 percent higher among Black adults than White adults from 2009-2022. In a rural-urban comparison of vaccine uptake in Florida, researchers found no significant association between residing in rural counties and not receiving a flu vaccine. Instead, their findings showed that increasing age, higher education, and having health insurance had positive association with flu vaccine use. Locations for flu vaccines in almost every county can be found at vaccines.gov. HHS Renews Public Health Emergency for Another 90 Days. On October 13, HHS extended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration for another 90 days. The extension means the continued surveillance of the outbreak, access to emergency funding, modified telemedicine practice, and flexibilities for health care providers, such as the Coronavirus waivers issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 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 *New: Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Shots. On October 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the following bivalent booster shots for children: Pfizer-BioNTech booster for patients ages 5-11; Moderna booster for patients ages 6-17. This recommendation follows FDA's authorization of these products on the same day. This announcement rescinded FDA's authorization of the monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 as a booster dose for ages 5-11; however, the monovalent vaccines will continue to be used for primary vaccination in patients that have never been vaccinated against COVID-19. In September, 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. 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 HUD Older Adults Home Modification Grants – Extended to October 21. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will set aside at least one-third of the funding for rural projects for this program. About 20 awards of up to $1.2 million each will be made to nonprofits and local governments for home modifications and limited repairs for low-income, elderly homeowners. HRSA Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program – December 12. To expand the primary care workforce in rural and underserved areas, HRSA will invest $23 million for residency program development in community-based ambulatory patient care centers. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to: Federally Qualified Health Centers, community mental health centers, Rural Health Clinics, and Indian Health Service facilities. Successful applicants will provide a health professions learning environment specific to the needs of their community. USDA Farm to School Grant Program – January 6. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects to invest $12 million in 144 awards to schools and school districts. The program provides funding to plan, establish, and/or sustain a Farm to School program that improves access to local foods and nutrition/agriculture resources in schools. By policy, the program must distribute awards equitably among urban, rural, and tribal communities, with priority for schools serving a high proportion of children eligible for free or reduced-priced lunches. USDA will hold informational webinars on November 8 and 9; register and get more information for applicants on their website. Appalachian Regional Commission J-1 Visa Waivers for Doctors – Ongoing. The federal agency covering 423 counties across the Appalachian region will waive certain requirements for doctors holding a J-1 Visa. Doctors must be willing to work a minimum of 40 hours per week in a Health Professional Shortage Area, and be sponsored by a state with the Appalachian Region. The Delta Regional Authority makes a similar offer, the Delta Doctors J-1 Visa Waiver Program. Both programs accept applications on an ongoing basis. Rural Community Assistance Corporation Environmental Infrastructure Loans for Western States – Ongoing. The nonprofit offers loans to finance water and waste facility projects. The funding goes to small rural communities for determining project feasibility and to pay pre-development costs prior to receiving state and federal funding. 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. New Research Publications on Converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital. The North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center provides a basic financial framework for considering the incremental revenues, costs, and avoided costs that may be expected if a hospital eliminates inpatient care to convert to an REH. Another paper from the same research center examines hospitals with low emergency department volume that are eligible to convert to an REH and found common characteristics. See FORHP-funded technical assistance to support hospitals exploring the REH option under Resources of the Week below. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. No updates this week. See New Rural Innovation Profiles under Resources of the Week below. Learning Events and Technical Assistance National Indigenous Women's Resource Center: Long COVID Impact on Native Communities – Thursday, October 20 at 2:00 pm ET. A Native physician, epidemiologist, and Long COVID survivors discuss their experiences. White House Rural Partners Call – Thursday, October 20 at 3:00 pm ET. On this week's call, the Office of Public Engagement will be joined by Department of the Interior Deputy Infrastructure Coordinator Kat Currie who will discuss Legacy Pollution Week and resources available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address legacy pollution. Also: US Forest Service Acting Associate Deputy Chief Debbie Hollen will discuss the climate smart forestry investments being made through the Inflation Reduction Act in observation of National Forest Products Week. Please note that this call is off-the-record and closed to press. Climate Change and Its Impacts on Farmworker Health – Friday, October 21 at 2:00 pm ET. The nonprofit Farmworker Justice Fund explores the impact of climate change on farmworker communities in this hour-long webinar. More About NIH Funding for Addiction Research – Tuesday, October 24 at 12:00 pm ET. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) holds a one-hour webinar to assist applicants to its rural-specific effort under the Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative. The research program now open for application, Prevention and Management of Chronic Pain in Rural Populations will invest $5.7 million in FY2023 to investigate effective non-opioid interventions for chronic pain management. 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. 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 the 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 will 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. 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. Screening for SDOH in Seasonal Agricultural Populations – Wednesday, October 26 at 4:00 pm ET. The Farmworker Health Network host this hour-long look at social determinants of health (SDOH) that impact vulnerable, migrant populations. HRSA Scholarships and Loan Repayment Programs for Nurses – Monday, October 31 at 4:00 pm ET. An overview of several programs offered by HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce to increase the nursing workforce in rural and underserved areas. New England Rural Health Conference – November 1-2. HRSA's Office in Region 1, in collaboration with the New England Rural Health Association invites you to the 2022 Annual Regional Rural Health Conference Thriving Rural Communities: An Ever Evolving Landscape. The conference will be held in person in Killington, VT, and virtually on November 1-2, 2022. The two-day agenda includes a panel discussion on the latest trends in workforce and behavioral health, and sessions on health equity and social determinants of health. Resources of the Week New Rural Innovation Profiles. The Rural Health Value team recently released two new rural innovation profiles. The first covers a critical access hospital in Susquehanna, PA's Experience in the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model: Barnes-Kasson County Hospital. This profile provides insight into the hospital's experience participating in the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, which includes a global budget and transforming care to address community health needs. The other profile on MaineHealth ACO – Integrating and Using Data to Support Care Delivery highlights a predominantly rural network of hospitals and clinics in Maine and how they have integrated clinical and claims data to support improvements in care delivery and target patient needs as part of their Accountable Care Organization. The Rural Health Value team is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. FORHP Funded Technical Assistance around the Rural Emergency Hospital Option. The recording for the October 12 webinar explaining the REH provider type and other FORHP-funded activities to support hospitals exploring the REH option. Mental Health/SUD Treatment for Under-Resourced Populations. A new guidebook from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration describes various methods of adapting evidence-based practices for substance use disorder (SUD) to meet the needs of populations who experience barriers in receiving behavioral health services due to a variety of factors including race, ethnicity, geography, income, sexual orientation, and disability. Approaching Deadlines HUD Supplemental Funding to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness – October 20 HUD Older Adults Home Modification Grants – Extended to October 21 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 CMS Wants Your Input on Establishing a National Directory of Health Care Providers and Services – December 6 HRSA Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program – December 12 AmeriCorps State and National Grants – January 4 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – January 6 USDA Farm to School Grant 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 Appalachian Regional Commission J-1 Visa Waivers for Doctors 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 Delta Doctors J-1 Visa Waiver 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 Community Assistance Corporation Environmental Infrastructure Loans for Western States 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 | 
No comments:
Post a Comment