| Read this in your browser March 6, 2025 What's New HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals – Get Application Help – NEW DATE: Monday, March 10 at 2:00 pm Eastern. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) will award approximately $10.9 million to up to 29 awardees in this program to enhance community-based training for students preparing to become mental health workers, peer support specialists, and other behavioral health paraprofessionals. During this 90-minute session, BHW will provide assistance to applicants, including: public and private institutions of higher learning; nonprofit organizations; hospitals, health centers, and Rural Health Clinics; and State, local, and Tribal governments. View the Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov and apply by March 18. This date and time is a change from the original, Friday, February 28. ERS: Aging and Wildfire Risk to Communities. A new report from the Economic Research Service (ERS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that most (87 percent) of the recent population growth in places with wildfire risk has been among persons age 60 and older. Already, the proportion of older people living in places with more wildfire risk is higher than in the population at large. In rural areas with the greatest wildfire risk, 35 percent of people living in those areas are age 60 and older. The report examines population aging and wildfire risk for States, counties, and fire management areas. Funding and Opportunities HRSA Primary Care Training and Enhancement Residency Training in Street Medicine – March 20. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce expects to make 19 awards with total program funding of $9.5 million. To apply, an organization must be currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Awardees may use funds to support enrolled GME residents. According to Frequently Asked Questions about the program, rural training programs are eligible to apply. This opportunity also includes a funding priority for applicants that currently train in rural areas. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. No policy updates this week. Learning Events and Technical Assistance USDA Rural Development: Community Connect Grant Program Webinar – Wednesday, March 12 at 1:00 pm Eastern. During this 90-minute webinar, the USDA's Rural Utilities Service will provide an overview of their program providing financial assistance to broadband service providers in economically challenged communities where service does not exist. Applications for the Community Connect Program are due on April 21. HRSA Virtual Job Fair for Clinicians – Wednesday, March 12 at 6:00 pm Eastern. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce regularly holds free online recruitment events that connect career-seeking health care professionals with facilities recruiting in underserved communities. To prepare, register or update your profile on HRSA's Health Workforce Connector. Approaching Deadlines CMS Connecting Kids to Coverage – March 7 HIPAA Security Rule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Electronic Protected Health Information – Comment by March 7 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Overdose Response – March 10 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Health Professional Scholarship Program – March 15 HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals – March 18 HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part C – Capacity Development Program – March 18 HRSA Primary Care Training and Enhancement Residency Training in Street Medicine – March 20 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development: Economic Development Loans & Grants – March 31 Federal Communications Commission via Universal Service Administrative Company: Rural Health Care Program – Health Care Connect Fund – April 1 U.S. Department of Transportation Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program – April 3 HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development Program – April 10 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Northern Border Rural Workforce – April 11 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Pathways – April 14 HRSA Telehealth Rapid Response Center – April 15 HRSA Telehealth Research Center – April 15 USDA Rural Development: Community Connect Grants – April 21 Ongoing Opportunities - Updated February 2025 Bold indicates HRSA- and/or FORHP-funded opportunities. Administration for Children & Families: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency – Technical Assistance for Rural EMS Communications Delta Regional Authority: Community Infrastructure Fund Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program Federal Emergency Management Agency/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Post-Disaster Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program General Services Administration: Federal Surplus Property Available for Public Use HRSA Needs Rural Reviewers for Grant Applications HRSA National Health Service Corps/SAMHSA Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Training and Mentoring HRSA RCORP Rural Center of Excellence on SUD Prevention: Developing a Rural Community Approach to Overcoming Stigma HRSA Technical Assistance for Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program Indian Health Service SOAR Health Training on Human Trafficking Indian Health Service/Department of Defense: Medical Supplies and Equipment for Tribes (Project TRANSAM) Licensure Portability: the Multi-Discipline Licensure Resource Project National Rural Health Resource Center: Rural Hospital Stabilization Program ProviderBridge: Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development Small Business Administration Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Small Business Administration Rural Initiative Pilot Program Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program USDA: America's Healthy Food Financing Initiative USDA: National School Lunch Afterschool Snack Program USDA: Summer Food Service Program USDA/National Rural Health Association: Rural Hospital Technical Assistance USDA Rural Development: Circuit Rider Program – Technical Assistance for Rural Water Systems USDA Rural Development: Community Facilities Program USDA Rural Development: Economic Development Loans & Grants USDA Rural Development: Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages USDA Rural Development: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA Rural Development: Intermediary Relending Program – Ongoing with deadlines every quarter USDA Rural Development: Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees USDA Rural Development: Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Development: Rural Business Investment Program USDA Rural Development: Economic Development Loan & Grants Programs – Ongoing with deadlines every quarter USDA Rural Development: Rural Energy Savings Program USDA Rural Development: SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (for Water/Waste Projects) USDA Rural Development: Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Office of Hospital Facilities Funding U.S. Department of Justice: Jail-Based Medication-Assisted Treatment Mentoring Initiative U.S. Department of Transportation: Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Health Professional Scholarship Program U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Drinking Water State Revolving Fund | 
