Get Your Application Questions Answered During Facebook Chat on Jan. 6

Date: December 28, 2021

National Health Service Corps Three Loan Repayment Programs, One Application

Facebook Chat

  • Thursday, January 6
  • 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. ET

Interested in applying to one of the three National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs, but have questions? Join NHSC members, NHSC staff, and other applicants for a Facebook chat! Get your questions answered, learn more about the application process, and why this is a great year to apply.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get connected! Join NHSC on the National Health Service Corps Facebook Page for their live, interactive chat.

Let NHSC know you’re coming! RSVP through their event page. You can also post questions in advance on the event page.

Application Help

NHSC Loan Repayment Program Checklist 

Free Over-The-Counter COVID Tests for RHCs – Order Now!

Date: December 23, 2021

In early December, the Biden Administration announced that they would be distributing Over-The-Counter COVID tests to certain health care facilities including Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Today, that program launches for all 5,000 rural health clinics nationwide.

If you follow the steps below, and complete your order by Tuesday you should be able to get some tests from the first shipment!

The intent of this program is to have the RHCs distribute testing kits for free to your community. You may also give these testing kits away to your patients.

The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) wants to note that this is intended to be an ongoing program, meaning that you should be able to order supply of Over-the-Counter COVID testing kits in the weeks and months to come. NARHC encourages all RHCs to sign up today!

Please see the official message below from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for details:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that all Medicare-certified RHCs are invited to order free, FDA-approved COVID-19 self-testing supplies for distribution in their communities through the HRSA’s COVID-19 Testing Supply Program.

How to Enroll in the HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) will help you enroll in the HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program.

  1. Confirm that you are a Medicare-certified RHC and identify your Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Certification Number (CCN). If you are unsure, visit the CMS QCOR website to look up your CCN number and confirm your status as a Medicare-certified RHC. 
  2. Visit the online registration to provide FORHP with some basic information about your RHC including shipping address and hours of operation.
  3. Sign the HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program Conditions of Participation Agreement (linked here) and return it to HRSA@hrsa.gov. You may sign in whatever way is easier for you – either electronically or by returning a printed and manually signed document.

Ordering Information and Delivery Logistics

Testing supplies must be requested via an online ordering system, called the Diagnostics Partner Ordering Portal (DPOP).  

FORHP will use your enrollment information to create a DPOP account for your Rural Health Clinic. You must complete step 2 and step 3 of the enrollment process in order for FORHP to create a DPOP account for your Rural Health Clinic.

Before placing your first order, confirm that your site Point of Contact, receiving address, and site hours are correct in DPOP or update accordingly.

All orders must be received by midnight local time on Tuesdays in order to be included in the next week’s shipment. At this time HRSA anticipates 7-10 calendar days for the test kits to arrive at your healthcare facility.

You must be able to receive a truck with a 53-foot trailer (e.g. an 18-wheeler) at your facility/the location where you will be storing the test kits. If you are UNABLE to receive an 18-wheeler at your facility but are still interested in receiving free, FDA-approved COVID-19 testing supplies, please email RHCTestKit.HRSA@hrsa.gov and HRSA will reach out if the shipping requirements change.

Ordering Considerations

  • You have the option to order tests in multiples of individual shippers (45 test kits per shipper) or pallets (1,350 test kits per pallet).
  • A shipper (45 test kits) is 5 lbs with dimensions 19-3/4 L x 15-1/4 W x 9-1/2 H (inches).
  • A pallet (1,350 test kits) is approximately 675 lbs with dimensions 48 L x 40 W x 56 H (inches). Each pallet contains 30 shippers.
  • Each test kit contains two tests. Each test kit is intended for use with one individual with the second test occurring at least 24 hours and no more than 36 hours between tests.
  • As of December 2021, participating RHCs can order a minimum of 5 shippers (225 test kits total) during each ordering cycle. The maximum order is 1,500 shippers (67,500 test kits total).

Storage

Test kits must be stored at room temperature (15-25?C/59-77?F)

Rapid Self-Test/At-Home/Over-the-Counter Test Product

  • Quidel QuickVue® – intended for the qualitative detection of the nucleocapsid proteins from SARS-CoV-2 from individuals with or without symptoms or other epidemiological reasons to suspect COVID-19 when tested twice over two or three days with at least 24 hours and no more than 36 hours between tests
  • The Quidel QuickVue® Test:
    • Rapid antigen test that an individual can self-administer at home
    • Results available within 10 minutes
    • Can be used if symptomatic, asymptomatic, or within 6 days of symptom onset
    • Can be self-administered for use by those 14 years of age and older and for those 2-13 years of age, if an adult performs the test
  • Test kits will have a shelf life of one year.

Questions and Resources

Policy/Program Questions: Email RHCTestKit.HRSA@hrsa.gov

DPOP Systems Access Issues: Tier 1 Helpdesk
COVID-19 Administration Reporting System (CARS) Help Desk
Email: CARS_HelpDesk@cdc.gov
Phone: 1-833-748-1979
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET, Monday-Friday
Note: Do not contact the Tier 1 Helpdesk unless you have confirmed that you are fully enrolled in the program

Product Questions: Quidel 1-800-874-1517 (Option 2, then Option 5)
7:00am to 5:00pm PT, Monday- Friday

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Announcements

Date: December 22, 2021

HRSA Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program – applications due March 18.  The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) anticipates awards for more than 30 community-based organizations that will join an effort to train and place public health professionals in rural and tribal areas. Eligible applicants include minority-serving institutions of higher education, Critical Access Hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, Rural Health Clinics, substance use providers, and state or local workforce development boards. Each grantee will receive approximately $1.5 million for a three-year project. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) will hold a webinar for applicants on Wednesday, January 5 at 1:00 pm ET.

HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program  – deadline extended until January 11. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) revised the program sustainability requirements and extended the deadline for RRPD grant applications. Applicants should review the changes and can resubmit their applications if needed. HRSA will only review your last submitted application. This program aims to increase opportunities for physicians to train in rural residencies. A total of $10.5 million will develop 14 new rural residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Eligible applicants include rural hospitals, GME consortiums, and tribal organizations. For questions, email RuralResidency@hrsa.gov

HRSA Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program Funding Opportunity – applications due March 21. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will be making approximately 40 awards of up to $200,000 each to support the planning and implementation of quality improvement activities in rural communities. Applicants must be rural domestic public or private nonprofit entities with demonstrated experience serving, or the capacity to serve, rural underserved populations in a HRSA-designated rural area.  The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) will hold a technical assistance webinar for applicants via Zoom on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 2-3 p.m. ET. A recording will be available for those who cannot attend. 

Share Your Experiences on Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response. The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) wants to hear about how rural communities, health care facilities, public health departments, first responders, tribes, rural serving organizations, and others have had to adapt, collaborate, and innovate in the face of disasters and public health emergencies. RHIhub is looking for examples of lessons learned, successes, challenges, or other helpful information to highlight related to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery for a variety of disasters. Please include a brief synopsis describing the example that includes contact information, if possible. RHIhub may reach out to you or the contact provided to learn more about the public health emergency or disaster to be shared in an emergency preparedness toolkit on the RHIhub website. E-mail examples to Makenzie Atherton at makenzie@ruralhealthinfo.org with the subject line: Rural Emergency Preparedness Example.

Spread the Word About Vaccine Boosters. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released new resources – posters, flyers, videos, and talking points – to help promote the extra protection from COVID-19 boosters. All vaccinated adults aged 18+ are eligible for a booster. Search by zip code to find nearby locations providing adult and pediatric vaccines and boosters for COVID-19 and the flu at vaccines.gov.

Ongoing: HRSA Payment Program for RHC Buprenorphine-Trained Providers. In June 2021, the Health Resources and Services Administration (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 $1.5 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 American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine and the Providers Clinical Support System.

CMS Funding 1,000 New Residency Slots for Hospitals Serving Rural & Underserved Communities

Date: December 20, 2021

Administration takes action to address access to care, workforce shortages in high-need areas.

On December 17, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) took a critical step to advance health equity and access, issuing a final rule that will enhance the health care workforce and fund additional medical residency positions in hospitals serving rural and underserved communities.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule with comment period establishes policies to distribute 1,000 new Medicare-funded physician residency slots to qualifying hospitals, phasing in 200 slots per year over five years. CMS estimates that funding for the additional residency slots, once fully phased in, will total approximately $1.8 billion over the next 10 years. In implementing a section of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021, this is the largest increase in Medicare-funded residency slots in over 25 years. Other sections of the CAA being implemented further promote increasing training in rural areas and increasing graduate medical education payments to hospitals meeting certain criteria.

Read the full Press Release.

Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program Opportunity

Date: December 17, 2021

Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network

Application Deadline: March 18, 2022

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through  the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA), Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), announced the availability of nearly $48 million in American Rescue Plan funding for community based-organizations to expand public health capacity in rural and tribal communities through health care job development, training and placement. Awardees will be able to use this funding to address workforce needs related to the long-term effects of COVID-19, health information technology (IT), and other key workforce issues.

Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program awardees will establish community health networks, which may be composed of, but are not limited to, community and technical colleges, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and other minority-serving institutions; Critical Access Hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, Rural Health Clinics, and substance use providers; and state or local workforce development boards. These networks will work to establish sustainable placement opportunities and integrate newly trained public health professionals into quality organizations and care teams to support the provision of health care services in rural communities.

HRSA anticipates more than 30 award recipients will be able to develop formal training and/or certification programs in order to increase capacity in the following workforce training tracks: 

  • Community Health Support;
  • Health IT and/or Telehealth Technical Support;
  • Community Para-Medicine; and
  • Case Management Staff and/or Respiratory Therapists.

Approximately $1,545,000 each will be available for a three-year period of performance. Award recipients will receive the full award amount in the first year of the period of performance and are required to allocate funds across all three years.

FORHP will hold a webinar for applicants on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 1 – 2 p.m. ET. A recording will be made available for those who cannot attend. For dial-in information, view the NOFO on Grants.gov, click the Package tab, then Preview, and Download Instructions; technical assistance information is on page (ii).

If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to: RPHWTNP@hrsa.gov.

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Announcements

Date: December 16, 2021

Spread the Word About Vaccine Boosters. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released new resources – posters, flyers, videos, and talking points – to help promote the extra protection from COVID-19 boosters. All vaccinated adults aged 18+ are eligible for a booster. Search by zip code to find nearby locations providing adult and pediatric vaccines and boosters for COVID-19 and the flu at vaccines.gov.

Federal Response to Tornado Outbreaks. The process for federal assistance begins once a state’s governor makes a request and the President declares that a major disaster exists.  Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individual and business owners recover from damage. HHS identifies behavioral health as a concern that may be overlooked in the days and months after a disaster. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a mobile app with immediate access to resources for first responders. 

Talking About the Link Between ACEs, Overdose, and Suicide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) want greater awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their connection to high rates of overdose and suicide. This week CDC announced a new training webpage, UrgentRelatedPreventable.org, designed in collaboration with the American Public Health Association to provide background and talking points. The site explains how exposure to certain events and conditions in childhood have lasting effects on health, well-being, and prosperity far into adulthood.  

CDC Evaluating Substance Use Prevention Frameworks Incorporating ACEs Prevention Strategy – February 22. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will make six awards with total investment of more than $24 million for rigorous evaluation of prevention approaches to substance use and overdose that incorporate efforts to prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The strongest applications will document established relationships between the institutions designing and leading evaluation efforts and the communities already implementing ACEs-related activities and/or substance use and overdose prevention strategies.

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 $1.5 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 American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine and the Providers Clinical Support System.

Join us today! TA webinar for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)

Date: December 16, 2021

Happening Today:

Technical Assistance Webinar for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)

Application deadline is January 13, 2022

Nurse Faculty Loan Program (HRSA 22-047): This program provides funding to accredited schools of nursing to establish and operate a student loan fund and provide loans to students enrolled in advanced education nursing degree programs who are committed to becoming nurse faculty.  

Have questions?

Join the technical assistance webinar:

  • Webinar Date: December 16, 2021
  • Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET

This webinar will provide information about the application and requirements.

For dial-in only:

  • Phone Number: 833 568 8864
  • Meeting ID: 161 161 0057
  • Passcode: 16657988     

Want to read the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)? 

  • Click Grants.gov
  • Click ‘Package’
  • Click ‘Preview’
  • Click ‘Download Instructions’

Application deadline is January 13, 2022.