December 1, 2022 What's New Spread the Word About Health Insurance. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has a collection of tools for helping individuals and families get health insurance during the Marketplace Open Enrollment period, November 1, 2022 through January 15, 2023. Graphics, social media messages, and customizable posters and fact sheets, are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. 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. December 1 is World AIDS Day. Since 1988, this annual observance has united countries around the world in an ongoing effort to raise awareness and recognize successes and challenges. In the U.S., the plan for Ending the HIV Epidemic that began in 2019 included a lens on rural patients, providers, and caregivers. In November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new supplement to its Strategic Plan for HIV prevention with updated priorities that include expanded service to rural areas via telemedicine. To learn more about the work of rural providers in the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, use the search term rural in the TargetHIV Best Practices Compilation. Flu Vaccination is Still a Public Health Priority. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is making a big push to prevent the spread of influenza. Most recent data from the 2021-2022 season show 4 million flu-related medical visits, 100,000 flu-related hospitalizations, and 5,000 flu deaths. This year has already seen several states with the highest levels of respiratory illness that includes fever plus a cough or sore throat. The CDC recommends flu vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, and provides a broad range of communication resources to get the word out. HHS Studies SUD Treatment for People of Color. To more effectively address known barriers to treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), policy researchers looked at feedback from 27 community-based programs serving predominantly people of color across the U.S. Beyond poverty and racism, providers describe challenges retaining staff with appropriate language and cultural skills as well as a complex patchwork of social skills. Released in November by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) the report calls for more research to understand how federal, state, and local policies and programs can maximize the strengths of communities of varied backgrounds, while also implementing evidence-based practices. Request for Nominations: Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality – Deadline January 23. HRSA is seeking qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to the committee that advises the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services on how to improve the health status of infants and women before, during, and after pregnancy. For its membership, the committee tries to ensure balanced representation of geographic areas, gender, and ethnic and minority groups, as well as individuals with disabilities. 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 Vaccines. The CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) dose if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was: - Their final primary series dose, or
- An original monovalent dose
People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) dose are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) dose. 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 CDC Foundation Increasing Access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) – December 19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation will make up to 10 awards, each ranging from $75,000 - $90,000, to increase access to safe water and wastewater services in marginalized communities. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, with priority given to the following: Appalachia; areas of drought and/or contamination in California; the rural South, particularly Black communities in Mississippi and Alabama; the Texas colonias along the border with Mexico; and Puerto Rico. CDC Pilot Projects to Advance Harm Reduction/Prevent Overdose – December 23. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing will provide funding, technical assistance, and training to help reduce the risk of overdose and other drug-related harms. Eligible applicants must demonstrate current or past partnership with public safety agencies, including nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that provide harm reduction services such as syringe services, peer-based response and prevention, and/or medications for opioid use disorder. Priority is given to highly-impacted populations including rural. National Association of Rural Health Clinics Fellowship Program – January 2. The program is designed for mid-career professionals with a commitment to making further impact in rural health practice and policy. Applicants must have experience in either the Rural Health Clinic setting or a rural health care system. The fellowship requires a full-time, in-person commitment for either a 4-week continuous timeframe, or two, 2-week periods in May, June, or July 2023. The selected candidate will reside in Alexandria, Virginia during the fellowship period and work within the NARHC DC Office, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m-6 p.m. Lodging and travel expenses will be fully covered by the program, and a $8,000 stipend will be provided to the fellow directly. EPA Researching Health Impacts on Children in Rural Agricultural Communities – January 11. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide a grant to support a single transdisciplinary research center to investigate the cumulative health impacts of early life stage (prenatal and childhood up to adolescence) exposures to pollutants in conjunction with other relevant non-chemical stressors among children in underserved, rural agricultural communities. NIH/Duke/UNC – RADx-UP Rapid Research to Improve COVID-19 Disparities – January 13. Duke University in partnership with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, is serving as the Coordination and Data Collection Center for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics- Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) program. The program will provide grants to evaluate the feasibility of implementing emerging COVID-19 testing technologies in underserved communities. NIH-designated areas and populations include but are not limited to: rural and remote communities; tribal lands and reservations; migrant and immigrant communities; individuals involved with the criminal justice system; and individuals living in congregate, overcrowded, or public housing. Eligible organizations include institutions of higher education, industry, state and local governments, and community-based organizations. Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, and other minority-serving institutions are encouraged to apply. Clinic Applications for ALAI UP - HIV Treatment for Underserved Populations – January 20. Accelerating Implementation of Multilevel-strategies to Advance Long Acting Injectables for Underserved Populations" (ALAI UP) is a HRSA-supported project to support clinics serving underserved populations and communities of color. Eight clinics will be selected to participate in this three-year project during which they will receive: 1) sample protocols to support equitable delivery of injectable HIV treatment; 2) technical assistance to implement protocols; 3) data support to inform continuous quality improvement; 4) help engaging communities to design services your patients want; and 5) peer support from other implementing clinics. In an effort to build a diverse cohort, clinics at all stages of introducing injectable treatment services are encouraged to apply, including those that have not yet introduced injectable treatment. Sign up to attend an application assistance webinar taking place on Friday, December 2 at 12:00 pm ET. Education Department Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grants – January 27. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) plans 125 awards to increase the number and diversity of high-quality, trained mental health professionals in schools. Grantees of the program will be high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) that form partnership with institutions of higher education to place graduate students in school to complete their mental health profession training. Eligibility includes LEAs that meet ED requirements for the Small, Rural School Achievement program and/or the Rural and Low-Income School Program. More details can be found in the Federal Register Notice. HRSA Funding for Rural Health Innovation and Transformation Technical Assistance Provider – February 7. Through the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), HRSA will make one award up to $500,000 to an organization that will provide technical assistance. The program's goal is to help rural stakeholders understand the value-based care landscape and increase rural participation in innovative payment models. Eligible applicants include domestic public or private, for-profit and non-profit entities. Domestic faith-based and community-based organizations, Tribes, and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply. FORHP will host a technical assistance webinar via Zoom for applicants on Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 1-2 p.m. ET. 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. Who Will Care for Rural Older Adults? Measuring the Direct Care Workforce in Rural Areas. This policy brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center examines existing disparities in the supply of home health aides and nursing assistants in rural areas compared to urban areas. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rural Health Clinics' Operations and Cancer Prevention and Control Efforts. This brief from the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis shows a significant rise in the percent of Rural Health Clinics providing telehealth services during the pandemic – 23% pre-pandemic increasing to 92.2% during the pandemic. However, roughly one in five of the more than 150 RHCs examined experienced a temporary closure. Cancer-related prevention and control services including cancer screening, HPV vaccination, and tobacco cessation services dropped pre- vs. peri-pandemic. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. HHS Proposes New Protections to Increase Care Coordination and Confidentiality for Patients with Substance Use Challenges – Comment by January 31. This week, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, through the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced proposed changes to the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records under 42 CFR part 2 ("Part 2"), which protects patient privacy and records concerning treatment related to substance use challenges from unauthorized disclosures. Specifically, the proposed rule increases coordination among providers and increases protections for patients concerning records disclosure to avoid discrimination in treatment. While substance use challenges exist in both rural and urban communities, "many rural areas and populations have disproportionately suffered from a growth in the use of opioids, heroin, prescription medications, and methamphetamines (meth)" according to a 2019 brief from the Rural Policy Research Institute. Maternity Health Care Professional Target Area Scores Now Available. Scores that identify areas experiencing a shortage of maternity health care professionals are now available, including areas that are rural and partially rural. The information is found in the Find Shortage Area Tool at the HRSA Data Warehouse, an interactive databank showing up-to-date information on the supply of primary care, dental, and mental health providers down to the county level. Learn more about the criteria for determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas in the Federal Register notice published earlier this year. Policy Brief on New Changes to Medicare Shared Savings Program. This Rural Health Value Policy Brief summarizes the changes made to the Medicare Shared Savings Program that will take effect January 2023 and 2024. It discusses how the changes would reduce barriers to participation for potential or reentering Accountable Care Organizations that operate in rural areas. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy funds Rural Health Value to provide technical assistance, raise awareness, and engage in communication strategies to support rural provider participation in value-based care. Learning Events and Technical Assistance White House Rural Partners Call – Thursday, December 1 at 3:00 pm ET. On this week's call, the Office of Public Engagement will be joined by USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator Andy Berke who will provide updates on work to implement key investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in rural communities. Applying for SAMHSA Community Behavioral Health Clinic Planning – Monday, December 5 at 3:30 pm ET. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for 2023 Cooperative Agreements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grants until December 19. With the planning grants, SAMHSA aims to further expand opportunities for states to improve access to and delivery of coordinated, comprehensive behavioral health care through Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Eligible applicants are State Mental Health Authorities , Single State Agencies, State Medicaid Agencies and states that were not previously selected to participate in the CCBHC Demonstration Program. Learn more about the program during this online session. Resource of the Week New Site for Telehealth Centers of Excellence. A new website from the two HRSA-supported Telehealth Centers of Excellence – The Medical University of South Carolina and the University of Mississippi Medical Center – offers a wealth of expertise and resources for telehealth organizations, researchers, providers, and other stakeholders. Sign up for their newsletter to learn about publications, upcoming events and webinars; use the contact form on the website to ask questions or schedule a consultation. Approaching Deadlines Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy – December 1 Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health Pilot/Feasibility Projects Academic Track – December 1 National Health Service Corp Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – December 1 NACCHO Reducing Overdose through Community Approaches (ROCA) Mentorship Program – December 5 ACL Empowering Communities to Address Behavioral Health and Chronic Pain through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs – Letters of Intent December 6 CMS Wants Your Input on Establishing a National Directory of Health Care Providers and Services – December 6 DOT Assistance for Transportation Projects in Underserved Communities – December 6 Rural Telementoring Training Center Cooperative Agreement – January 9 VA Rapid Retraining Assistance Program – December 11 HRSA Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program – December 12 ACL Small Business Innovation Research Program – December 16 CDC Foundation Increasing Access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) – December 19 SAMHSA Cooperative Agreements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Planning Grants – December 19 CMS Kids Coverage Outreach to American Indian/Alaska Native Children – December 20 CDC Pilot Projects to Advance Harm Reduction/Prevent Overdose – December 23 NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors (Masters and Doctoral) – December 31 NBCC Foundation Rural Scholarship for Mental Health Counselors – December 31 National Association of Rural Health Clinics Fellowship Program – January 2 AmeriCorps State and National Grants – January 4 CDC Grants for Injury Control Research Centers – January 6 Department of Labor Nursing Expansion Grants – January 6 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – January 6 USDA Farm to School Grant Program – January 6 FCC Outreach Grants for Affordable Connectivity Program – January 9 ACL Empowering Communities to Address Behavioral Health and Chronic Pain through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs – January 11 EPA Researching Health Impacts on Children in Rural Agricultural Communities – January 11 NIH/Duke/UNC – RADx-UP Rapid Research to Improve COVID-19 Disparities – January 13. AmeriCorps VISTA Accepting Concept Papers for Projects to Alleviate Poverty – January 18 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Overdose Response – January 19 Clinic Applications for ALAI UP - HIV Treatment for Underserved Populations – January 20 Request for Nominations: Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality – January 23 Education Department Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grants – January 27 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Evaluation – January 27 HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development Program – January 27 Comments Requested: New Protections for Patients with Substance Use Challenges – January 31 HRSA Funding for Rural Health Innovation and Transformation Technical Assistance Provider – February 7 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 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 Association of Birth Centers (AABC) Foundation - Accreditation Grants 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 Distressed Cities and Persistent Poverty Technical Assistance Program 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 United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc Tribal Health Program Support 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 and Loan Guarantees 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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