December 15, 2022 What's New New Website Integration Expands Reach for Job Seekers and Recruiters at Rural Health Clinics, Critical Access Hospitals. The National Rural Recruitment & Retention Network forms 3RNET, a nonprofit that connects professionals to health care jobs in rural and underserved areas. This week, 3RNET and the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) announced a new partnership that connects both organization's websites. Job openings at Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) added to 3RNET's website are automatically added to a job board on NARHC.org through a website integration powered by 3RNET. Health professionals can view available RHC and CAH jobs across the country on 3RNET and on NARHC at the two links above; RHC and CAH employers can apply to post jobs at both sites by visiting by visiting: https://www.3rnet.org/For-Employers/Employer-Registration-Form. HRSA Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship Program – Applications Due February 10. Accredited schools of nursing, nursing centers, academic health centers, state or local governments, and other public or private nonprofit entities may apply for an expected 80 awards to educate/train registered nurses in delivering safe anesthesia and pain management services. The goal of the program is to increase the supply and distribution of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. Recent research finds that rural hospitals struggle to provide surgical services; of rural counties in the study, 55 percent had no surgeon, 81 percent had no anesthesiologist, and 58 percent had no Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Awardee institutions can use the funding to provide traineeship awards between $1,000 and $22,000 per year to each of its eligible NAT students and those trainees can use the funds to support tuition; books, fees and living expenses. Increasing Access to Buprenorphine Services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow certified opioid treatment programs to begin prescribing the drug via audio-only or video-enabled telehealth. See additional information under Policy Updates below. The proposed changes come on top of recent findings by HHS of the positive impact of its revised Practice Guidelines for the Administration of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder that removed two longstanding requirements for obtaining a waiver to treat up to 30 patients with buprenorphine: 1) the requirement for specific training, and 2) the need for otherwise eligible clinicians to certify their ability to provide or refer patients for counseling and other services. Rural primary care providers have obtained the DEA waiver at a lower rate than urban clinicians; decreased burden and greater flexibility in the guidelines, along with broader use of telehealth could help close that gap. Rural Chief Financial Officers on the Impact of Telehealth. CFOs and other administrators from 20 rural hospitals were interviewed about telehealth services and how they make decisions about adopting them. Among the key takeaways: although CFOs believed telehealth has some financial advantages, they did not believe that telehealth improved their hospitals' financial situations. 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 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. A New Federal Plan to Build Equitable Community Resilience. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has a number of ongoing initiatives such as Healthy People that set public health objectives at the federal level. The newest is the Federal Plan for Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience that lays out a government-wide approach to fixing broken systems and focusing resources on communities that have been marginalized. The strategy forms around Seven Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being in each community – the social determinants of health that public health stakeholders are working to achieve. COVID-19 Resources *New: Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines. On Friday, December 9, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines for children down to 6 months of age. This expands earlier guidance announced in October. Current recommendation is that people aged 6 months 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 Housing Assistance Council Capacity Building Cohort for Affordable Housing and Recovery in Rural Communities – December 20. The national nonprofit is sponsoring a learning cohort for rural nonprofits looking to create safe, healthy, and stable housing for residents in recovery from substance use disorders. EPA Training and Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems – January 26. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $25.7 million in grant funding to help ensure safe drinking water and wastewater systems in rural communities. An expected nine awards will go to eligible applicants that are nonprofit organizations, and public or private nonprofit colleges and universities. Not eligible to apply: state, local, and tribal governments; for-profit organizations; nonprofit organizations that engage in prohibited lobbying activities. American Psychiatric Association Diversity Leadership Fellowship – February 3. The two-year program will prepare minority psychiatry residents or those interested in minority and vulnerable populations to teach, administer, and provide culturally competent, evidence based mental health and substance abuse services for diverse minority groups and at-risk populations. Populations include American Indians, Native Alaskans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Native Pacific Islanders, Black/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, LGBTQ, and religious minorities. SAMHSA Minority Fellowship – February 3. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a one-year fellowship for psychiatry residents interested in a career providing culturally sensitive psychiatric services for minority underserved populations. It is not required for applicants to identify as ethnic minorities; however, African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Asian-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are encouraged to apply. CDC Researching Strategies to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence – February 16. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides two funding streams for investigator-initiated research to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative and promising strategies: Funding Option A will support research projects that rely on existing data and do not support implementation of prevention activities; Funding Option B will support research projects that require support for new data collection activities and/or the implementation of prevention activities. Strategies sought include those for interpersonal violence and self-harm; for different population groups such as veterans, youth, or tribal; for different settings such rural, school, or neighborhood; and for a range of individual, peer, family, community and societal risk factors, including social and structural conditions that contribute to inequities. Earlier this year, the CDC released data showing that firearms were involved in 79 percent of all homicides in 2020, the highest in 35 years. More than half (53 percent) of all suicides that year were by firearm, with the highest rates in non-metro and rural areas. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Comments Requested: Proposed Policies for the 340B Drug Pricing Program's Alternative Dispute Resolution Process – January 30. Recently, HRSA issued a proposed rule that would revise the current 340B administrative dispute resolution (ADR) final rule (Dec. 14, 2020) with a new process. The ADR process is an administrative process designed to assist covered entities and manufacturers in resolving disputes regarding overcharging, duplicate discounts, or diversion, as outlined in statute. Eligible entities for the 340B Drug Pricing Program include a number of rural health care facility types. Comments Requested: Proposed Updates to Expand Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment – February 14. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking public comment on its proposal to modify regulations regarding medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder. In addition to updating definitions and standards for Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP), these changes – such as allowing for methadone treatment through audio-visual telehealth – would make flexibilities made during the Public Health Emergency permanent. Telehealth access to OTPs can help to address barriers for rural patients, such as long drive times for treatment. Comments Requested: Proposed Updates for Interoperability – March 13. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeks public comment on a proposed rule to formally withdraw the December 2020 CMS interoperability and prior authorization proposed rule and to incorporate feedback received from the previous public comment period. This new proposed rule has five key provisions including those related to interoperability, improving prior authorization (PA) processes, and a new electronic PA measure for Merit Based Incentive Payments System (MIPS)-eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals and MIPS-eligible physicians. Five requests for information are also included in the rule, among them those concerned with exchange of information related to behavioral health and maternal health and accelerating adoption of standards for social risk factor data. As of 2019, 63 percent of rural physicians electronically exchanged patient health information in some manner (either sending, receiving, or querying). CMMI Publishes Report on its Role in Driving Health Systems Innovation. Published this month by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), this report focused on the strategic refresh that CMMI announced previously this year. As part of this strategic refresh, CMMI has indicated that all new models will include patients from diverse backgrounds, including underserved populations such as rural and historically disadvantaged communities. CMMI also included in the report feedback from stakeholders received during webinars held around the strategic refresh, including rural-specific feedback about the challenges rural providers face in joining value-based care arrangements and possible rural-specific strategies for CMMI to consider. Learning Events and Technical Assistance White House Rural Partners Call – Thursday, December 15 at 3:00 pm ET. On this week's call, the Office of Public Engagement will be joined by USDA Senior Advisor for Climate Sean Babington who will provide an overview of the additional investments in the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities announced this week. SAMHSA on Community Engagement for Substance Use Prevention – Friday, December 16 at 2:00 pm ET. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) introduces their new guide, Community Engagement: an Essential Component of an Active and Equitable Substance Use Prevention System. By engaging community members, prevention systems learn firsthand from individuals and community systems about substance use problems and social determinants that influence behavioral health. Resource of the Week Exploring Rural Health Podcast: RUPRI on Health Insurance. This 27-minute episode features Abigail Barker and Timothy McBride, co-investigators at the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, a rural health research center whose work is published on the FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway. They discuss their findings about rural health insurance coverage shared in the recently published chartbook, An Insurance Profile of Rural America. Approaching Deadlines 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 Housing Assistance Council Capacity Building Cohort for Affordable Housing and Recovery in Rural Communities – 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 USDA Technical Assistance/Training Grants for Rural Water Systems – 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 HRSA Rural Telementoring Training Center Cooperative Agreement – 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 FDA Innovation Award: Researching COVID-19 and Health Equity – January 16 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 EPA Training and Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems – January 26 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: Proposed Policies for the 340B Drug Pricing Program's Alternative Dispute Resolution Process – January 30 USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants – January 30 ACL Rural HIV and Aging Challenge, Phase 1 – January 31 Comments Requested: New Protections for Patients with Substance Use Challenges – January 31 American Psychiatric Association Diversity Leadership Fellowship – February 3 SAMHSA Minority Fellowship – February 3 Department of Labor Youthbuild Grants – February 7 HRSA Funding for Rural Health Innovation and Transformation Technical Assistance Provider – February 7 HRSA Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship Program – February 10 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates to Expand Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment – February 14 CDC Researching Strategies to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence – February 16 HRSA Funding One Provider: Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance – February 17 USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program – Reach and Resiliency – March 6 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome – March 8 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates for Interoperability – March 13 FCC Rural Health Care Telecommunications Program – April 1 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 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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