July 3, 2023

Reminder: Funding Opportunity for the Healthy Start Initiative – Enhanced (HRSA-23-130) Closes July 17

The final date for applications to the Healthy Start Initiative – Enhance (HRSA-23-130) is July 17. The purpose of HSE is to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy and reduce the well-documented racial/ethnic differences in rates of infant death and adverse perinatal outcomes.

HSE is intended to support projects in diverse communities and populations (e.g., rural, urban, non-Hispanic Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native [AI/AN]) experiencing the greatest disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

HSE has two focus areas:

• Providing direct and enabling services (e.g., screening and referrals, case management and care coordination, health and parenting education, and linkage to clinical care to enrolled HSE participants
• Convening Community Consortia comprised of diverse multi-sector partners that advise and inform HSE activities and develop and implement plans to improve perinatal outcomes within the selected project area.

The program also provides recipients with increased flexibility to customize interventions to meet the unique needs of their target population.

The goals of HSE are to:

• Continue reducing infant mortality rates (IMR) in the U.S., and
• Decrease disparities in infant mortality (IM) across racial/ethnic groups by achieving steeper declines for groups with the highest infant mortality rates (e.g., non-Hispanic Black and AI/AN infants).

HSE projects should be implemented in communities experiencing high rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity that do not already have access to Healthy Start Services. Successful HSE projects will implement program activities in new project areas and accomplish the following objectives during the 5-year period of performance:

• Direct and Enabling Services for HSE Participants ·
• Increase receipt of case management and care coordination to facilitate access to medical care and community-based resources. ·
• Increase uptake of healthy behaviors before, during, and after pregnancy. · Increase use of safe infant care practices.
• Community Consortium · Convene diverse, multi-sector state, local, and community level partners, including HSE participants and other community members, that will: ·
  • Advise and inform strategies for providing direct and enabling services to HSE participants. ·
• Develop cross-sector partnerships to ensure access for HSE participants to
  • Coordinated, comprehensive maternal, child, and family medical care;
  • health and parenting education;
  • and community-based resources that address social determinants of health within the project area. ·
• Participate in Communities of Practice with other HSE projects to develop and implement a strategic plan for the community that focuses on at least one social determinant of health.

Who Can Apply:

• Domestic public or private entities
• Domestic faith-based and community-based organizations
• Tribes and tribal organizations

Recipients of Healthy Start Initiative: Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health (HRSA-19-049) 13 are only eligible to apply for this grant if a new project area, not currently funded by your existing grant, is proposed. If overlapping areas are proposed, your application will be deemed ineligible and not considered. This provision ensures that new communities with the highest rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity that do not already have access to Healthy Start services are reached by this program.

Have Questions? Contact:

Mia Morrison, MPH

MCHBHealthyStart@hrsa.gov

(301) 443-2521

 Applications due July 17, 2023

For more information watch the June 7, 2023 Healthy Start Initiative Enhanced TA Webinar

Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about this funding

Review Priority Points table (PDF-142 KB) to see if a county in your project area is eligible for Priority Points

Apply Now

June 30, 2023

Top 5 FAQs – Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) – Simulation Education Training (SET) Program (HRSA-23-129)

The Health Resources Services Administration has provided the top 5 frequently asked questions related to the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Simulation Education Training (SET) Program (HRSA-23-120).

Q1: Can current SET grantees apply to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?

A:  Yes. Current NEPQR-SET grantees may apply. However, note the changes and requirements of the current NOFO. Your application must reflect the noted goals, objectives, and requirements.

Q2: Do interprofessional collaborative agreements have to be currently established or can they be established as part of this project?

A:   Any academic, practice, and community partnerships may be established or enhanced with the funding of this program. The applicant should provide any documents that describe working relationships via a letter of commitment/letter of support between the applicant organization and other entities and programs cited in the proposal.

Q3: Can students from other disciplines (PT, OT, PA, MD etc.) participate in the simulation activities funded by this grant if it is in an interprofessional setting with nursing students?

A:   Yes. Simulation based training must include collaborative interprofessional team based care.

Q4: Is application eligibility limited to programs with national accreditation or is approval from our state Board of Nursing sufficient?

A:   Schools of nursing must be accredited by a recognized body or by a state agency approved by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Q5: Are two-year associate degree nursing programs and diploma programs eligible?

A:   Eligible applicants include:

• • Accredited schools of nursing
  • Health care facilities, including federally qualified health centers or nurse managed health centers
  • A partnership of such a school and facility

In addition:

• • Domestic community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply if otherwise eligible.
  • Diploma school of nursing affiliated with a hospital or university, or an independent school, which provides primarily or exclusively a program of education in professional nursing and allied subjects leading to a diploma or to equivalent are eligible, only if such program, or such affiliated school or such hospital or university or such independent school is accredited.
  • For profit entities are NOT eligible.

More questions?
Check out the full list of FAQs and Technical Assistance Webinar recording.

Applications accepted until 11:59 p.n. ET on July 3, 2023

June 30, 2023

Faculty Loan Repayment Program Application Deadline Extended

The Faculty Loan Repayment Program application deadline has been EXTENDED until Thursday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Check out the trending questions received by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) in last week’s Q & A session to help you finish your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between the Faculty Loan Repayment Program and the Nurse Faculty Loan Program?
  •  The Faculty Loan Repayment Program is a loan repayment program for individuals serving as faculty members (including nurse faculty) at a health professions school. The Nurse Faculty Loan Program is a grant program for nursing schools that offer scholarships to nursing students who intend to serve as nurse faculty.
•  How do I prove a disadvantaged background?
  • You must submit official documentation indicating that you come from an economically or environmentally disadvantaged background. You are encouraged to submit the Faculty Loan Repayment Program’s Disadvantaged Background Form (available in the online application), signed by a school official from a school you previously attended, as the official document.
• If my university denies matching, will I still be eligible?
  • Yes. For institutions that are unable to provide matching loan repayments, applicants must provide an official letter from the employer requesting a full or partial waiver explaining the undue financial hardship.
• If my employer only issues one-year contracts, am I eligible?
  • You must be employed by your site for two years; if your contract does not show two years, we will accept documentation from your employer on official letterhead stating their intent to employ you for a minimum of two years.
• Can I work at a for-profit health professions school?
  • Employing schools of nursing and physician assistant programs are eligible if they are accredited public, private non-profit, or private for-profit. Employing schools for all other eligible health disciplines must be accredited non-profit to be eligible.
• Can I make changes to my application after it is submitted?
  • No, you cannot make changes to your application once you have submitted it. Please check your application and documents prior to submission.

Before you apply:

• Read the 2023 Faculty Loan Repayment Application and Program Guidance (PDF – 482 KB). It has the information you need to complete your application.
• Check out the Application Checklist to help you submit your application by the deadline

Start Your Application:

• If you do not have one, create a Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal account.
• If you have a BHW Customer Service Portal account, select Appling for the Faculty Loan Repayment Program and log in.

For more information and resources, please review the Faculty Loan Repayment Program webpage.

Finish Your Application

June 16, 2023

Notice of Funding Opportunity: HRSA-23-120 – Maternity Care Nursing Workforce Expansion (MatCare) Program

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to grow and diversify the maternal and perinatal health nursing workforce through education and training support.

The Maternity Nursing Workforce Expansion (MatCare) Program – HRSA-23-120 will increase the number of certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and diversify the maternal and perinatal health workforce, expand maternal health training and curriculum, and strengthen community-based partnerships. The program seeks to grow and diversify the maternal and perinatal health nursing workforce through support for education and training in rural and underserved communities.

Program Goals:

• Increase the number of Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and diversify the maternal and perinatal health nursing workforce
• Enhance maternal health training to better address maternal mental health, maternal mortality, and morbidity risk factors
• Strengthen community-based training partnerships

HRSA will award $8 million to up to 8 grantees over a period of four years through this funding opportunity.

Eligible applicants include:

• Accredited schools of nursing, nursing centers, academic health centers
• Domestic community-based organizations
• Tribes and tribal organizations
• State or local governments
• Other private or public non-profit entities

View the funding opportunity on Grants.gov for complete eligibility information.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on July 14, 2023.

Apply Here

June 16, 2023

Funding Opportunity: Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training – Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults (BHWET-CAY) Program for Professionals – HRSA-23-131

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) HRSA-23-131 to address the behavioral health needs of children, adolescents, and young adults by increasing the supply and distribution of behavioral health providers in rural and underserved communities.

The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training-Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults (BHWET-CAY) Program for Professionals will enhance trainees’ knowledge, skills, and expertise through clinical and experiential training. The program also invests in the supply of, and training for clinical supervisors.

HRSA will award approximately $9.7 million to up to 18 grantees over a period of two years through this funding opportunity.

Program Goals:

Establish training opportunities for trainees in community-based settings serving children, adolescents, young adults

Prioritizing settings in underserved and rural communities

Increasing the number of clinical supervisors for behavioral health professional trainees working with children, adolescents, and your adults

Enhancing training opportunities for new and existing faculty and clinical supervisors focused on the behavioral health needs of children, adolescents, and young adults

Providing assistance and supports to connect graduates with employment opportunities

Eligible applicants include:

• Accredited institutions of higher education or accredited professional training programs in mental health
• Accredited doctoral, internship, and post-doctoral residency programs of health service psychology of health service psychology
• Accredited master’s and doctoral degree programs of social work
• Domestic community-based organizations
• Tribes and tribal organizations

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on July 14, 2023

View the funding opportunity on Grants.gov for complete eligibility information.

Apply Here

June 12, 2023

New Funding Opportunity: Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program – Apply by July 13.

The Star LRP application is open now through July 13, 7:30 p.m. ET

Eligible substance use disorder (SUD) treatment clinicians and community health workers can apply to receive up to $250,000 in educational loan repayment in exchange for working full-time for six years at an approved facility. Our announcement about this last week incorrectly linked to HRSA’s Faculty Loan Repayment Program.

Why Apply:

Up to $250,000 in educational loan repayment

Expectations if Awarded:

If you receive an award, you must work full-time for six years in a STAR LRP-approved facility.

Eligibility:

• United State citizen, national, or permanent resident
• Fully licensed, credentialed in an eligible discipline, a registered SUD professional; AND
• Full-time employee at a STAR LRP-approved facility

Important Resources:

• Read the 2023 Star LRP Application and Program Guidance. It has the information you need to complete your application.
• Check out Application Checklist to help you submit your application by the deadline.

Questions:

Call 1-800-221-9393/TTY: 1-877-897-9910

OR

Use Contact Form

Learn More

June 9, 2023

Modification to PMHCA Funding Opportunity – HRSA-23-081

Please note that the notice of funding opportunity for the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) Program has been modified. Modifications have been made to eligibility criteria and to award amounts. The new application due date is June 22, 2023.

There are three types of awards available through this funding opportunity:

1. Competing continuation awards

• • Eligible “competing continuation” applicants are entities that received an award in FY 2018 and 2019 and whose project period is ending. View the list of all currently funded PMHCA projects.
  • Up to $700,000 per award

2. New applicants with previous HRSA PMHCA implementation experience

• • Eligible applicants include states, political subdivisions of states, territories, and Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations not currently funded in FY 2021 or 2022.
  • Up to $700,000 per award

3. New applicants with no prior HRSA PMHCA implementation experience

• • New applicants with no prior HRSA PMHCA experience: Eligible applicants include States, political subdivisions of states, territories, and Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations not currently funded in FY 2021 or 2022.
  • NOTE: Tribes and tribal organizations that are located within the geographic boundaries of states with existing awards are eligible to apply for new awards.)
  • Up to $500,000 per award

To view and access this modified opportunity package, please see:

The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) NOFO (HRSA-23-081)

• Click on “Package”
• Click on “Preview”
• Click on “Download Instructions”

For questions related to the PMHCA Program, please contact Madhavi Reddior Jordanna Snyder.

For help with your application, watch our April 20, 2023 PMHCA Pre-Application TA Webinar #1.  This webinar is for both new and competing continuation applicants.

New applicants can watch our April 26, 2023 PMHCA Pre-Application TA Webinar #2.