Author: houseg

NHSC Loan Repayment Application Help

Click here to join Virtual National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Q&A Sessions!

  • May 20, 2021, 9AM-5PM ET
  • May 21, 2021, 12PM-8PM ET

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important dates I should know about?

  • The application deadline is extended to May 27, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
  • You need to be fully licensed and employed at an NHSC-approved site by July 18, 2021
  • You will be notified of award by September 30, 2021

In the application, what does “Proof of Residency” mean?

  • “Proof of Residency” is for anyone who completes a residency or fellowship program, not to be confused with providing proof of residence as in utility or mortgage bill.

How can I find NHSC-approved sites, or if a site is Health Professions Shortage Area (HPSA) eligible?

What loans are eligible? Are undergraduate loans included?

  • Qualifying educational loans are government and private student loans, which includes the applicant’s undergraduate and graduate education. When you submit your loans, you will be notified which ones are eligible or not.

If the site that I am working at is applying to be NHSC-approved, can I apply to this NHSC LRP cycle? Can I still apply if my site hasn’t been approved yet?

  • If you work at an FQHC or most Indian Health Service, Tribally Operated, or Urban Indian Health Care Facilities (ITUs), you can apply for one of the three open NHSC LRP applications at the same time your site is applying to be NHSC-approved.
  • For all other site types the NHSC new site application review process can typically take 6 – 8 weeks. If your site is not an eligible auto-approved site, you will be eligible for the next open application cycle after your site has been approved. For more information on site types, visit https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/sites/eligibility-requirements.html.

Additional Resources

Webinar: Reimagining Healthcare Engagement

Date: June 8, 2021

Time: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST

Click here to Register for this Event!

An interactive live stream event  providing expertise, motivation and practical skills to strengthen your role as an influencer and advocate. Join us as a watch party or with a colleague to learn together and fast track your post event implementation plan.

RHPTP Eligible Learning Collaborative Series

May 17, 2021

Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project (RHPTP) Learning Collaborative Series

Click here to register for all or some of the webinars below!

A four-part learning collaborative series has been built to promote the assessment of your organizations’ strengths and weaknesses in preparing for the transition to value-based care (VBC). Through education and group discussion, you will gain a better understanding of a variety of VBC topics that help strengthen your organization’s foundation while becoming effective participants in a health system focused on value.

Topic and Speakers:

LC1: Self-Assessment for Transition Planning: How ready is your organization for value-based care?

  • Speakers: Terry Hill and Rhonda Barcus, The Center
  • Date and Time: Monday, May 24, 2021 @ 12:00/NOON – 1:00 PM CST
  • LC2: Basics of Value-Based Care and Payment
  • Speaker: Jennifer Lundblad, Stratis Health
  • Date and Time: Monday, June 28, 2021 @ 12:00/NOON – 1:00 PM CST
  • LC3: Leadership Commitment to Building Population Health
  • Speaker: Dr. Alana Knudson, NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
  • Date and Time: Monday, July 26, 2021 @ 12:00/NOON – 1:00 PM CST
  • LC4: Resiliency
  • Speakers: Dr. Jane Pederson and Betsy Jeppesen, Stratis Health
  • Date and Time: Monday, August 30, 2021 @ 12:00/NOON – 1:00 PM CST

RHPTP Application

May 17, 2021

Click here to begin your Application!

The Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project (RHPTP) is excited to announce RHPTP applications are now being accepted to participate in the next project year (November 2021 – August 2022). To be considered, your application must be completed in the entirety by 11:59 PM CST on September 10, 2021.

RHPTP is designed to help strengthen value-based care (VBC) for health care organizations by building recipients’ foundation for VBC in efficiency, quality, patient experience, and safety of care.

HRSA Funding Opportunities

May 17, 2021

HRSA Expanding Community-Based Workforce for COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach

As part of the large federal investment in local-level response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will make approximately 10 awards with total funding of $125 million. The funding will support outreach, education and assistance related to the COVID-19 vaccine and go to public and/or private nonprofit organizations with demonstrated experience in public health programs across a broad geographic area. Applicants are expected to have partnerships with health and social service organizations that can directly hire community outreach workers from vulnerable, medically-underserved communities. This is the first of two funding opportunities for community-based vaccine outreach. The second funding opportunity will be released in mid-May and will focus on smaller community-based organizations. Applications due May 18. 

Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

This program provides financial support to students enrolled in nursing degree programs in exchange for a commitment to serve in high-need areas across the country. HRSA has received a historic increase in funding this year under the American Rescue Plan. With this additional funding, Nurse Corps anticipates making significantly more awards to including:

Up to 20 percent of total awards to nurse practitioners (NP) specializing in psychiatric mental health

  • Up to $5 million to women’s health NPs and certified nurse midwife advanced practice nurses and registered nurses (RNs) who wish to pursue a career in women’s health
  • Up to $2 million dollars to support unlicensed assistive personnel such as Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides, Medical Assistants, as well as those in entry level nursing careers, such as Licensed Practical (Vocational) Nurses to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Bachelor’s in Science of Nursing.

Application cycle has now been extended through May 26.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs

HRSA extended the deadline for each of three loan repayment programs: the NHSC Loan Repayment Program, the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program, and the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. A record number of new awards for eligible clinicians is being supported by an $800 million increase in funding. Extended to May 27 (from May 6).

Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program

HRSA will make three awards, each $1 million per year for a four-year project. Recipients will be networks that have already been established by three or more separately-owned entities and include at least two rural hospitals, among other requirements. The goal of the program is to test models for improved access to care in areas that are underserved. Applications due June 4.

FORHP Special Announcement – New Funding Opportunity

May 11, 2021

Rural Northern Border Region Planning Program- Application Deadline June 14

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) will be making approximately 4 awards of up to $190,000 each for the 2021 Rural Northern Border Region Planning Program. This eighteen-month program will support eligible applicants located in the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) service area to help underserved rural communities identify and better address their health care needs.

The Rural Northern Border Region Planning Program supports planning activities to identify key rural health issues, assess rural health challenges, and engage in strategic planning activities to inform rural health plans across the northern border region.

Eligible organizations must be located in a rural or urban area within the four states of the NBRC service area. These states are Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. All activities supported by this program must be provided in HRSA-designated rural areas (as defined by the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer) within the NBRC service area.

As FORHP continues to focus on sharing program outcomes, the identification and dissemination of rural evidence-based models maintains a priority. The Rural Health Information Hub (RHI hub) consists of a number of resources, including successful program models and evidence-based toolkits.

FORHP will hold a webinar for applicants on Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 2 – 3 P.M. EST. 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 contact Maribel Nunez: MNunez@hrsa.gov or 301-443-0466.

New Rural Innovation Profile – Northern Michigan Community Health Innovation Region

May 12, 2021

New from Rural Health Value:

The Rural Health Value team recently released a new Rural Innovation Profile focused on the efforts of a ten-county partnership across rural Northern Michigan that is addressing social determinants of health through systems change and collaboration.

Northern Michigan Community Health Innovation Region
This partnership of health and community providers across ten rural counties in Northern Michigan addresses social determinants of health through systems change and collaboration, including development of a Community Connections Hub Network, a clinical community linkages model that connects individuals and families to community resources.

Link: https://ruralhealthvalue.public-health.uiowa.edu/files/NMCHIR%20Profile.pdf

Top resources on the Rural Health Value website:

  • Value-Based Care Assessment – Assess capacity and capabilities to deliver value-based care. Receive an eight-category readiness report.
  • Physician Engagement – Score current engagement and build effective relationships to create a shared vision for a successful future.
  • Board and Community Engagement – Hold value-based care discussions as part of strategic planning and performance measurement.

Social Determinants of Health – Learn and encourage rural leaders/care teams to address issues to improve their community’s health

Contact information:

Keith J. Mueller, Ph.D.

Co-Principal Investigator

keith-mueller@uiowa.edu

Complimentary Webinar – Ask the Telehealth Experts

Date: May 26, 2021

Time 1:00- 2:00 PM CST

Click here to Register!

It’s referred to by many terms in our industry: virtual care, telehealth, telemedicine, remote care, and digital health. No matter what you may call it, one thing is for certain – it’s here to stay!

This 60-minute webinar was created just for you. Join BRI Network as they dialogue and answer the burning questions you likely have:

  • How do I pivot to a long-term strategy?
  • Will the temporary regulatory changes remain in place?
  • How do I integrate in-person visits with virtual visits?
  • What are the best ways to drive provider adoption?
  • How can I harness the power of virtual care to enhance patient outcomes, retain patients and reduce costs?

FORHP Announcements- May 6

HRSA Expanding Community-Based Workforce for COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach – Applications Due May 18. As part of the large federal investment in local-level response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will make approximately 10 awards with total funding of $125 million. The funding will support outreach, education and assistance related to the COVID-19 vaccine and go to public and/or private nonprofit organizations with demonstrated experience in public health programs across a broad geographic area. Applicants are expected to have partnerships with health and social service organizations that can directly hire community outreach workers from vulnerable, medically-underserved communities. This is the first of two funding opportunities for community-based vaccine outreach. The second funding opportunity will be released in mid-May and will focus on smaller community-based organizations.

FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Applications Open on May 12. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created this temporary program to help eligible individuals and households afford internet service during the pandemic. Eligible households can enroll through an approved broadband service provider or by visiting GetEmergencyBroadband.org. The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.

HRSA Celebrates National Nurses Week, May 6-12. National Nurse Week is here and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is celebrating the significant contributions of our country’s nurses. Did you know certified nurse midwives supported by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) provide obstetric care in rural communities and other areas where access to such prenatal and postnatal care can be severely limited? With $800 million in additional funding through the American Rescue Plan, the NHSC is providing more support than ever before to certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and other disciplines working in underserved communities. Join HRSA in recognizing the hard work of the nurses by following along on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

FDA Approves Higher Dosage of Naloxone to Treat Opioid Overdose. Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a higher dose nasal spray that deliver 8 milligrams (mg) of naloxone into the nasal cavity. The FDA had previously approved 2 mg and 4 mg nasal sprays.