February 16, 2023 What's New New Public Health Scholarship Program Focuses on Next Generation of Rural Health Leaders – Apply by August 13. The Rural Health Innovation Program at Berkley Public Health will offer 100 fully-paid scholarships to eligible online students seeking a Master's in Public Health to support leadership development for rural public health leaders. The program, with backing from the Barr-Campbell Foundation, was announced at the recent National Rural Health Association Policy Institute and will also cover other expenses such as books, fees, and travel expenses. Within that cohort, the program will also support 10 scholars with an interest in activating change to focus on rural policy efforts. USDA to Invest $262 Million Across Rural Partners Network. Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new funding for 68 projects in a variety of sectors – from renewable energy to infrastructure to health care – for underserved rural communities. The Rural Partners Network is an alliance of federal agencies that will provide resources at the community level. HRSA Advanced Nursing Education Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship Program – Apply by April 11. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce will make 43 awards to accredited schools of nursing and other approved entities such as Rural Health Clinics and Critical Access Hospitals to establish or enhance community-based residency training for Nurse Practitioners (NPs). Several studies have identified training in rural areas as one factor influencing recruitment and retention of NPs to rural areas. Learn more about current research on educating a rural nursing workforce. How CMS is Addressing Rural Health Inequities. In a blog post last week, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) affirmed that addressing rural health inequities is a cornerstone of their effort to improve health equity. The agency highlighted the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) provider type as well as support available through the FORHP-funded REH Technical Assistance Center. The blog post also discussed the agency's efforts to expand access to telehealth and behavioral health services and recent changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program designed to support broader rural participation in Accountable Care Organizations. Ongoing: HRSA Payment Program for RHC Buprenorphine-Trained Providers. As announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in January 2023, clinicians no longer need DATA 2000 Waiver training to prescribe buprenorphine; however, the payment program to defray earlier training costs is still active. Launched in June 2021, the initiative pays for providers who previously received a waiver 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 previously trained to obtain the waiver necessary to prescribe buprenorphine after January 1, 2019. Approximately $900,000 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. COVID-19 Resources Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Distribution (RHCVD) Program. Under the program, Medicare-certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) receive direct COVID-19 vaccines in addition to their normal jurisdictions' weekly allocation. Webinar recordings explaining RHC vaccine programs are available on the National Association of Rural Health Clinics website. *New: As a reminder, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent vaccine for people 12 years of age and older is available to order through the RHCVD program in both single and multi-dose vials. The single-dose option responds to widespread requests to allow greater flexibility for RHCs that may not have the demand or capacity to store multi-dose vials. Contact RHCVaxDistribution@hrsa.gov for more information. Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal – Report by March 31 for RP4. The PRF Reporting Portal is open from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 for Reporting Period 4 (RP4). Providers who received one or more PRF (General or Targeted) and/or American Rescue Plan Rural payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, must report on their use of funds during RP4. Resources are available to assist providers with completing their reports. For a quick glance at all PRF reporting-related resources, visit the PRF Reporting Resources Page. **NEW: Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payment Reconsiderations Deadline: Providers who believe their Phase 4 and/or ARP Rural payment was calculated incorrectly have an opportunity to submit a payment reconsideration request by February 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. All providers have had at least 45 days from the date of their Phase 4 and/or ARP Rural payment determination notification to submit a reconsideration request. The February 21 deadline reflects the final opportunity to submit a request. For more information visit the Payment Reconsideration webpage. Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines. In December, 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. 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 HRSA/CDC Training Course in Maternal/Child Health Epidemiology – March 1. HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau joins with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to enhance the analytic capacity of state and local health agencies. Taking place June 26-30 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the national program is aimed primarily at professionals who have significant responsibility for collecting, processing, analyzing, and reporting maternal/child health data. SAMHSA Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking – March 3. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) anticipates 50 awards with total funding of $3 million to prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth and young adults ages 12-20. A recent study indicates high-intensity drinking (≥10 drinks in a row) begins in late high school. Slightly earlier research found high school students living in rural areas tending to report the highest rates of binge drinking. SAMHSA National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative – Community Treatment/Service Centers – March 27. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) anticipates 28 awards, each up to $600,000 per year. The purpose of the program is to increase access to effective trauma- and grief-focused treatment and service systems for children, adolescents, and their families, who experience traumatic events. Listen to a 25-minute podcast about research into rural adverse childhood experiences and get more data and background information at the Rural Health Information Hub. National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Diversity Scholarships – March 31. The NAEMT provides Scholarships for students of color who do not hold an EMS certification but who intend to become an EMT or paramedic. The overall goal of the scholarship program is to promote the development of greater diversity in the EMS workforce so that the workforce reflects the communities they serve. CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) – April 11. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will make 41 awards with total investment of $228 million. The 5-year program aims to improve health and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest burden of chronic disease. REACH programs work specifically among African American, Black, Hispanic, Latino, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations. See Resources of the Week for new data on diversity in rural America. HHS Advancing Equity Through Teen Pregnancy Prevention – April 18. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) will make 70 awards, each ranging between $350,000 and $2 million, for projects that use evidence-based interventions to teenaged pregnancy. Funds will be targeted to communities and populations with greatest need. Federal research has shown an overall decline in birth rates for teenagers, but these rates are consistently highest in rural areas. A contributing factor may be lack of information and support that comes from stigma in an environment where a pregnant teen is highly visible. These barriers raise the rate of poor outcomes with high cost. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. See CMS' rural health efforts under What's New, and a recap of rural residency opportunities under Resources of the Week. Learning Events and Technical Assistance Addressing Behavioral Health Disparities in the Black Community – Thursday, February 16 at 11:00 am ET. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hosts a Black History Month virtual roundtable with community members, leaders, and practitioners discussing behavioral health challenges and resources. Preparing for Medicaid/CHIP Unwinding – Wednesday, February 22 at 12:00 pm ET. In March 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services temporarily waived certain eligibility requirements for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to help people keep their health coverage during the pandemic. When the public health emergency ends, states will be required to restart eligibility reviews. This session is part of a monthly learning series to help states prepare for the change. Illicit Drug Supply: Fentanyl and Xylazine – Wednesday, February 22 at 12:00 pm ET. The Center on Rural Addiction at the University of Vermont (UVM CORA) will take an hour to explore current information about these two drugs, including drug supply, medical impacts, harm reduction, and considerations for rural populations. UVM CORA is one of three Centers of Excellence supported by FORHP's rural opioid programming. Learn About the New Telehealth Centers of Excellence Website – Wednesday, February 22 at 2:00 pm ET. The Telehealth Centers of Excellence, a HRSA-funded collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, will have a webinar to highlight the features of their new online site for resources. HRSA Virtual Job Fair for Clinicians – Wednesday, February 22 at 6:00 pm ET. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce regularly holds free online recruitment events to connect career-seeking health care professionals with representatives from health care facilities across the country. Promising Approaches to SUD in Rural Contexts – Thursday, February 23 at 11:30 am ET. Expertise from the Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network, a nationwide resource funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This webinar provides practitioners with tools to identify rural-specific risk factors, disparities, and treatment strategies for substance use disorder (SUD). Effective Behavioral Health Crisis Response – Thursday, February 23 at 2:00 pm ET. This webinar from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will review the role of 988, the national suicide hotline, and the necessary components of an effective behavioral health crisis response system. Applying for SAMHSA Grants – Thursday, February 23 at 2:00 pm ET. The Office of Financial Resources at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be conducting a webinar on how to develop a competitive grant application. The same webinar will be offered on two dates: February 23 and March 7. How to Apply for ARC Funding – Various Dates/Locations, February 23 – March 2. The federal Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will hold eight in-person workshops for prospective applicants of funding opportunities available in the 13-state ARC region. What You Need to Know: CMS Guidance for REH – Wednesday, March 1 at 12:00 pm ET. On January 26, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published guidance for Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH) with provisions, conversion process and conditions of participation. During this webinar hosted by the American Hospital Association, CMS and HRSA experts will share what you need to know regarding the REH enrollment and conversion process for eligible facilities, Frequently Asked Questions, and a newly developed State Operations Manual Appendix (Appendix O) with survey procedures and CoP regulatory text. FORHP 2023 Preview – Wednesday, March 1 at 1:30 pm ET. With a new federal budget in hand, the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy has been working hard to develop new programming to better respond to rural health needs, while also maintaining proven grant activities. To keep our partners updated, we invite you to join us for this hour-long overview of our investments. We'll also preview grant efforts that we expect will be funded this year and then take time to answer your questions. National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs for Tribal Communities – Thursday, March 2 at 2:00 pm ET. At this hour-long session hosted by the National Indian Health Board and the Association of American Indian Physicians, learn how to apply to HRSA's National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Annual Rx and Illicit Drug Summit – April 10-13. Federal policymakers from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse are among those sharing their expertise at this annual conference on substance use disorder. The summit takes place over four days in Atlanta, Georgia. Discounted registration fees are available until March 3rd. Resources of the Week Expand GME Training at Your Hospital: How to Apply for Section 126 Positions. This is a recording of a one-hour webinar that took place on Monday, February 13. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Rural Residency Planning and Development Technical Assistance (RRPD-TA) Center provided an overview on the application process for the second round of 200 Medicare residency slots available to eligible hospitals, including rural hospitals, interested in expanding residency training. Applications for Fiscal Year 2024 must be submitted through the Medicare Electronic Application Request Information (MEARIS™) by March 31, 2023. For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions and the application submission process guide. CORI: Who Lives in Rural America? The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) dives deep into a general misunderstanding about rural demographics, and the way that impacts policy, investments, and outcomes for rural areas. Catalog of Value Based Initiatives for Rural Providers. The newly updated resource from the team at Rural Health Value contains one-page summaries of rural-relevant, value-based programs currently or recently implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services, primarily by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and its Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation. The Rural Health Value team is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Approaching Deadlines CDC Researching Strategies to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence – February 16 (orig. Feb 20) HRSA Funding One Provider: Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance – February 17 HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program – February 17 NOSORH Rural Health Grant Writing Institute – February 17 COMPASS Initiative HIV Capacity Building Grants for 12 Southern States – February 20 Appalachian Regional Commission INSPIRE SUD Recovery to Work – Letters of Intent Required by February 21 HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – February 23 First Nations Development Institute GATHER Food Sovereignty Grants – February 26 Become a Host Site for the CDC Public Health Associate Program – February 28 USDA Rural Business Development Grants – February 28 HRSA/CDC Training Course in Maternal/Child Health Epidemiology – March 1 NIH Research Centers in Minority Institutions – March 1 SAMHSA Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking – March 3 National Center for Rural Health Professions Summer Preceptorships – March 5 SAMHSA Adult Offender Re-Entry Program – March 6 SAMHSA Expanding SUD Capacity in Adult and Family Drug Treatment Courts – March 6 USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program – Reach and Resiliency – March 6 CDC Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at Risk for Diabetes – March 7 HRSA Funding One Provider: Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals – March 7 SAMHSA Expanding MAT for Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction – March 7 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response - Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome – March 8 Department of Transportation Planning for Areas of Persistent Poverty Program – March 10 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates for Interoperability – March 13 SAMHSA First Responders – Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act – March 14 Mayo Clinic Native American Pathways Summer Program – March 15 RWJF Health Policy Research Scholars – March 15 DOJ Second Chance Act Pay for Success Initiative – March 21 CDC High Obesity Program – March 21 HRSA Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program – March 21 SAMHSA Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health – March 21 Treasury Department: Community Development Financial Institutions Capital Magnet Fund – March 21 Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program – March 22 NIH Addressing the Impact of Structural Racism and Discrimination – March 24 NIH Innovations for Improving Minority Health/Eliminating Health Disparities – March 24 SAMHSA National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative – Community Treatment/Service Centers – March 27 SAMHSA State Pilot Program - Treating Pregnant/Postpartum Women – March 27 CDC State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program – March 28 HUD Community Compass Technical Assistance for Federal Housing Programs – March 28 ACL Rehabilitation Research/Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities – March 31 Administration for Native Americans – Social/Economic Development Strategies – March 31 Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) Residency Positions Available – March 31 National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Diversity Scholarships – March 31 FCC Rural Health Care Telecommunications Program – April 1 HRSA HIV/AIDS Intervention Services – New Geographic Areas – April 3 EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving – April 10 CDC Drug Free Communities Support Program – April 11 CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) – April 11 HRSA Advanced Nursing Education Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship Program – April 11 Comments Requested: OMB Updates to Race and Ethnicity Standards – April 12 DOT Bus and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Program – April 13 HHS Advancing Equity Through Teen Pregnancy Prevention – April 18 DOJ Violence Against Women Grants to Indian/Tribal Governments – April 25 ACF Community Economic Development Projects – May 8 AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care – June 16 Berkley Rural Public Health Master's Program – August 13 UMMC Caregiver University for Alzheimer's Support – Quarterly Deadlines Until October 10 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 Native Americans into Medicine Host Sites for National Environmental Public Health Internship NIH Addressing the Impact of Structural Racism and Discrimination – Various Dates Until October 2025 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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