Rural Spotlight

USDA Announces Over $84 Million to Connect people in Rural Missouri to High-Speed Internet

June 16, 2023

USDA Announces Over $84 Million to Connect people in Rural Missouri to High-Speed Internet

On June 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Missouri Kyle Wilkens announced $84.6 million in grants and loans to connect thousands of rural residents, farmers and business owners in rural Missouri to reliable, affordable high-speed internet.

“The ReConnect program helps to build high-speed internet infrastructure connecting small business owners to customers and markets in other parts of the state, around the country, and worldwide,” said Wilkens. “It also expands educational opportunities for students and enables rural households to access medical care, particularly to specialists, without leaving their homes. For too long many rural communities in Missouri have been left out of the digital economy. High-speed internet is now the lynch pin for rural communities to grow. For farmers in rural communities, a fast-growing market of smart technology designed specifically for agriculture can give them real-time access to vital information from sensors placed around their land holdings. The ReConnect program is allowing our rural communities and producers to keep up with the ever-evolving need for high-speed internet.

Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $65 billion to connect everyone to high-speed internet through the Internet for All initiative. USDA is connecting more people to high-speed internet in this fourth funding round of the ReConnect Program. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department has invested in 142 ReConnect projects that will bring high-speed internet access to 314,000 rural Americans.

Investment highlights include:

  • Goodman Telephone Company Inc. will connect nearly 7,000 people, 206 farms, 140 businesses and two educational facilities to high-speed internet in McDonald and Newton counties.
  • The Seneca Telephone Company will connect nearly 7,000 people, 240 farms, 178 businesses and 12 educational facilities to high-speed internet in McDonald and Newton counties.
  • Ozark Telephone Company will connect nearly 7,000 people, 188 farms, 171 businesses, and six educational facilities to high-speed internet in McDonald County, Missouri and Benton County, Arkansas.

Today’s investments in Missouri are in coordination with the recent announcement made by U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, that highlights $714 million in USDA investments in 19 states:

  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • New Mexico
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Washington

For more information, please view a full listing of projects.

Applicants to ReConnect Program funding must:

  • Serve a rural area that lacks access to service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload
  • Applicants must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service with speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in the proposed service area
  • Additionally, to ensure that rural households that need internet service can afford it, all awardees will be required to apply to participate in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers a discount of up to $30 per month towards internet service to qualifying low-income households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands.

For assistance with or questions regarding any of USDA’s high-speed internet programs, please contact a Missouri General Field Representative.

Contact USDA Rural Development:

Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo

Call (573) 876-0976

Email: RDMissouri@usda.gov.

If you’d like to subscribe to Missouri USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.

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

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

 

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

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

ICD-11 Meeting and Request for Information

June 16, 2023

ICD-11 Meeting and Request for Information

On June 13, the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) advisory committee, part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), published a Notice of Meeting and Request for Information (RFI).

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the global standard for health data, clinical documentation, and statistical aggregation. It provides a common language for recording, reporting, and monitoring diseases. It facilitates the collection and storage of data for analysis and comparison of mortality and morbidity data. ICD-11 is the 11th revision, fully electronic, includes more diagnostic codes, and can be used online or offline.

It is important that HHS hear the concerns of rural health care facilities, whose input will help will provide advice to HHS to inform ICD–11 policy.

The meeting will be held Thursday, August 3, 2023, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. EDT and is open to the public. The public is invited and welcome to attend. NCVHS meets 3 times a year. Meetings are open to the public. All meetings are webcast. Public participation at meetings is generally limited to the public comment times specified on the meeting agenda.

Please click Here to join the meeting on August 3 at 10 a.m..

To submit comments in response to the RFI, please send by close of business June 30, 2023, to NCVHSmail@cdc.gov, and include on the subject line: Response from [your organization or name] regarding ICD–11 RFI.

Medicaid and CHIP Renewals Communications Toolkit: Outreach and Educational Resources

June 16, 2023

Medicaid and CHIP Renewals Communications Toolkit: Outreach and Educational Resources

CMS has created different materials and resources to help people with Medicaid or CHIP take steps to renew their health coverage or find other coverage options.

Want to learn more about your state’s Medicaid program? Find contact and enrollment information.

Who can use the toolkit:

  • States
  • CMS partners
  • Community organizations
  • Health Professionals
  • Schools
  • Other stakeholders who interact with people who have Medicaid or CHIP

Communications Toolkit

  • This toolkit includes important messages and sample materials:
    • Key Messages to encourage people to get ready to renew their Medicaid or CHIP coverage
    • Drop-in Articles
    • Eligibility Renewals
    • Social Media & Outreach Products
    • Email SMS/Text Messages
    • Call Center Scripts
    • Tip Sheet for CMS Partners
    • Fact Sheets
    • Post Cards
    • Tear Pads

Communications Toolkit

Proposed Bill Aims to Reduce Burdens on Rural Health Clinics

June 16, 2023

Proposed Bill Aims to Reduce Burdens on Rural Health Clinics

NRHA has expressed support for the bipartisan Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act, which aims to reform provisions related to RHCs under Medicare.

NRHA also supports the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, which would permanently expand services adopted during the pandemic. NRHA notes that 77 percent of rural counties have a primary care shortage. Additionally, as federal policymakers step up oversight of hospital mergers, more states are taking steps to encourage consolidation.

NRHA has curated advocacy campaigns so you can act today on several issues including urging Congress to reduce burden in rural health clinics. We’ll share RHC-specific strategies to better utilize telehealth and help clinics flourish at NRHA’s 21st Rural Health Clinic Conference Sept. 26-27 in Kansas City.

Register Here for NRHA’s 21st Rural Health Clinic Conference

NRHA Accepting Application for the Rural Health Fellows Program

June 16, 2023

NRHA Accepting Application for the Rural Health Fellows Program

NRHA is accepting applications for our Rural Health Fellows program, a yearlong, intensive training that develops leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America.

Each year, NRHA selects 10 to 15 highly motivated individuals who have proven their dedication to improving the health of rural Americans through their educational or professional experience.

The goal of the Fellows program is to educate and develop a network of diverse rural leaders that will step forward to serve in key positions in the association, affiliated advocacy groups, and local and state legislative bodies with health equity as a main focus.

NRHA’s Rural Health Fellows meet in person three times throughout the year to undergo intensive leadership and advocacy training. In addition, fellows take part in monthly conference calls to supplement their training, receive updates on legislative and regulatory concerns that impact rural health, and participate in a mentorship program with current members of NRHA’s Board of Trustees. These monthly calls will help Fellows to develop their leadership skills as rural health advocates. Rural Health Fellows should be committed to advocating on behalf of rural health and should be dedicated to NRHA’s mission.

The submission period for 2024 Rural Health Fellows applications is now open through Sept. 14.

Requirements

  • Applicants to the Rural Health Fellows Program must be NRHA members for at least one year before applying to the program and must remain a member in good standing through the duration of the program.
  • Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the health of all people residing in rural America through the provision of equitable health care services. This commitment must be demonstrated in the personal statement, as well as the curriculum vitae/resume of the applicant.
  • Applicants must be willing and able to commit to monthly conference calls as part of the program and complete a project as a member of an Action Project Team.
  • Applicants must have a sponsor to support travel/lodging expenses to attend three NRHA meetings: 1) NRHA’s Rural Health Policy Institute, 2) NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference, 3) the fellows graduation ceremony.
  • Applicants must commit to attend all Rural Health Fellows training sessions.

Application Requirements

  • At least one year of membership in NRHA
  • Curriculum Vitae/ Resume
  • Personal statement

Program benefits

  • Developing leadership skills and mentorship under current NRHA leaders
  • Working with like-minded individuals to generate solutions to problems facing rural America
  • Driving rural health policy solutions on behalf of NRHA

2024 Rural Health Fellows class training sessions:

1.  Feb. 13-15, 2024 – Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.
2. May 6-10, 2024 – Annual Rural Health Conference in New Orleans, La.
3. February 2025 – Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.

Application Review Process

  • Applications are due Thursday, September 14, 2023
  • Applications are reviewed and ranked by members of NRHA staff. A meeting is held to discuss applicants.
  • Applicants will receive an email on their acceptance or non-acceptance into the program.
    • Applicants will have two weeks to respond to their acceptance email and secure their spot in the program.

Rural Health Fellows Program Costs

There is no program fee for participation in the Rural Health Fellows Program. Applicants must have a sponsor (employer, corporate or self) responsible for all travel and lodging costs to attend the three training sessions.

View the current Rural Health Fellow rosters

For more information, contact Ally Zimmerman, azimmerman@ruralhealth.us  program services coordinator, or 202-639-0550.

Rural Health Fellows Application

 

Your Chance to be a Rural Health Fellow, Speak in New Orleans

June 16, 2023

Your Chance to be a Rural Health Fellow, Speak in New Orleans

The National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Annual Rural Health Conference and Rural Hospital Innovation Summit are the nation’s premier events celebrating rural health. They are curated for anyone with an interest in rural health care, including rural health practitioners, hospital administrators, clinic directors and lay health workers, social workers, state and federal health employees, academics, community members, and more.

NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference is an interactive experience designed for all rural health professionals, with 7 tracks covering clinical issues, statewide public health issues, clinic management, rural communities, education, policy, and learning tools for leaders. NRHA is willing to consider any new and innovative session proposals.

NRHA’s rural Hospital Innovation Summit is one of the first meetings of its kind, dedicated to rural hospital innovation and transformation and providing premier networking and education exclusively for rural hospital leadership teams striving to innovate toward community health transformation.

NRHA is accepting session and research presentation proposals for the nation’s largest gathering of rural health pros. The Annual Rural Health Conference and Rural Hospital Innovation Summit, will be held May 7-10, 2024 in New Orleans, La.

Anyone with an interest in rural health is invited to submit session proposals by August 17, 2023 or original research by January 11, 2024 for presentation during the 2024 conferences.

Please consider contributing a session. This is an opportunity to share effective models, policies, research and information and provide your colleagues with insights and best practices addressing many of the access, quality and geographic issues confronted by rural communities.

Submit Session Proposals

Submit Original Research

 

Simple Strategies to Stay on Top of Resident Changes – June 2023 Newsletter

June 15, 2023

Simple Strategies to Stay on Top of Resident Changes – June 2023 Newsletter

The Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) has released the June 2023 newsletter. The June newsletter includes articles such as:

In addition read about Learning Opportunities:

Click Here to Read More

Ambulance Deserts: Geographic Disparities in the Provision of Ambulance Services

June 15, 2023

Ambulance Deserts: Geographic Disparities in the Provision of Ambulance Services

Access to timely ambulance service is an essential part of the emergency medical system. Yet ambulance access varies widely with significant gaps across the country. During this webinar, Dr. Yvonne Jonk, from the Maine Rural Health Research Center, will present key findings from a new chartbook that analyzes 41 states in 2021-2022 and identifies places and people that are more than 25 minutes from an ambulance station, also called an ambulance desert (AD). The chartbook presents data on ADs by state and county. Included are maps of AD locations and healthcare facility locations for every state with available data. Given that nine states lacked data on ambulance locations, the number of people living in ADs in the U.S. is likely higher than what was reported here.

Date: Monday, June 26, 2023
Time: 10:00 am Pacific, 11:00 am Mountain, 12:00 pm Central, 1:00 pm Eastern
Duration: approximately 60 minutes

Registration is free and required. Attendance of the live webinar is limited to 500 persons. If you are unable to attend, you will be able to access the recording, archived on the Gateway website.

Learn More

Register