February 23, 2021 What's New Two Billion Dollars in Funding For Clean Drinking Water in Rural Communities. Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new investments for safe and clean water specifically for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities. The funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that includes several initiatives to address environmental harms such as polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS – found in water, air, fish, and soil that are linked to harmful health effects. See Funding and Approaching Deadlines below for ongoing opportunities from the EPA. Telehealth Recovery Coaching for Post-Discharge Engagement. Researchers looked at records for 917 patients who engaged with a peer recovery coach via telehealth after discharge from emergency departments for opioid use. The investigation focused on one Indiana-based hospital system that included six hospitals located in cities and seven that had rural Critical Access Hospital designations. Of the findings showing value to rural patients, living in a strictly rural area was associated with an 80 percent greater rate of successful follow-up. RHCs and Medicare Shared Savings Program – What You Need to Know to Consider Joining – Tuesday, March 7 at 3:00 pm ET. Rural Health Clinic (RHC) participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) has grown significantly. During this free webinar hosted by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Rural Health Value will share an overview of the program, highlight opportunities for RHCs, review changes to the MSSP for 2024, and provide time for Q&A. Advanced registration is required. 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. 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 Put Us on the Map Challenge – March 1. The City Health Dashboard was created in 2018 by the New York University School of Medicine's Department of Population Health, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It offers data on 40 measures of health and drivers of health for more than 900 cities across the U.S. The project seeks to add smaller cities with populations between 3,000 and 50,000 to provide local leaders with data about challenges facing their communities. The simple application asks for population size, relationship to local government, and how the applicant envisions using data to make a difference. UVM CORA Northern New England Intranasal Naloxone Vending Machine Program – March 3. The Center on Rural Addiction at the University of Vermont (UVM CORA) will distribute vending machines with the overdose reversal drug, Naloxone, to eligible organizations in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Northern New York. UVM CORA is one of three Centers of Excellence supported by FORHP's rural opioid programming. National Indian Health Board Outstanding Service Awards – March 16. The national nonprofit makes awards in several categories to recognize individuals, organizations, programs, and youth whose leadership and work has affected change or impacted health care on the local, tribal, regional, and/or national level. RWJF Culture of Health Prize – March 29. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) makes awards to honor entire communities, not single organizations or initiatives, to recognize collaborative efforts toward well-being and health equity. Institute of Museum and Library Sciences Enhancement Grants for Native American Libraries – April 3. The federal agency that provides funding, policy development, and research for museums and libraries will make grants up to $150,000 improve core library services in Native communities. Eligible applicants are federally-recognized tribes with an existing library that meets three basic criteria: 1) regularly scheduled hours, 2) staff, and 3) materials available for library users. HRSA Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Program – April 7. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce will make 53 awards, each up to $650,000. Accredited schools of nursing and other entities such as Rural Health Clinics that provide registered nurses with master's- and/or doctoral-level training will develop programs to prepare students for practice in rural and/or underserved areas. Denali Commission Grants for Alaska Communities – April 14. The federal Denali Commission expects to make 60 awards, each up to $2 million, to fund development projects throughout rural Alaska. Eligible activities include broadband, sanitation, workforce development, and health care/community wellness. EPA Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program – April 14. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects to make 70 awards, each up to $1 million, to help state, local, tribal, and territorial governments address environmental harms in communities that have been disproportionately affected. Most available research, federal programming, and grant funding for environmental health policy focus on a particular region, pollutant, or the conveyance for these pollutants (ground, water, or air). Though pollution is most often associated with urban centers, the impacts on rural areas are just as common but largely unseen. 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 Articles Published on Hospitals, Elective Surgery, Electronic Health Records, Immunization, and Community Health Workers. The latest alert holds five journal articles written by the FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Centers. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. 2024 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Programs - Comment by March 3. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2024 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs (also known as Medicare Part D). The notice includes payment updates and star rating updates for both parts of Medicare, a one-time growth rate adjustment for Medicare Advantage, and technical updates to the Medicare Advantage risk adjustment model. Also included are significant Medicare Part D changes required by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and which will go into effect next January including reduced cost-sharing for insulin, eliminated cost-sharing for preventive vaccines, eliminated cost-sharing for Part D prescription drugs in the catastrophic phase, and expanded eligibility for full cost-sharing and premium subsidies under the Low-Income Subsidy program. Learning Events and Technical Assistance 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). AgriSafe: Exploring Health and Safety for Black Farmers – Thursday, February 23 at 1:00 pm ET. The AgriSafe Network identifies critical concerns, including mental health, and share community-based resources. 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. RWJF: Transitioning from Medicaid to Marketplace After the Public Health Emergency – Monday, February 27 at 11:00 am ET. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is launching an interactive tool that compares Medicaid and ACA Marketplace networks at the county level. The resource was developed to help policymakers during the post-pandemic transition that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services calls Unwinding. Federal policy experts expect millions of people who gained access to health care during COVID-19 will lose their coverage in this transition. HRSA Oral Health Campaign – Tuesday, February 28 at 1:00 pm ET. Join HRSA's Office of Special Health Initiatives for the launch of A Healthy Mouth for Every Body, an effort to improve oral health literacy. 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 3. Approaching Deadlines 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 Put Us on the Map Challenge – March 1 SAMHSA Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking – March 3 UVM CORA Northern New England Naloxone Vending Machine Program – 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 National Indian Health Board Outstanding Service Awards – March 16 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 RWJF Culture of Health Prize – March 29 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 Institute of Museum and Library Sciences Enhancement Grants for Native American Libraries – April 3 HRSA Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Program – April 7 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 Denali Commission Grants for Alaska Communities – April 14 EPA Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program – April 14 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 Univ. for Alzheimer's Support – Quarterly Deadlines Until October 10 Ongoing Opportunities 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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