Rural Spotlight

HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program

January 27, 2023

HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program

Part C applications due February 17, 2023

HRSA will make 50 awards for Part C of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Eligible organizations – including those in rural areas – are independent school districts, state, local, and tribal governments, tribal organizations, non- and for-profit organizations, and special district governments. Over one year of performance, award recipients will complete one short-term activity that will help increase access to high-quality HIV primary healthcare services for low-income and underserved people with HIV.

New Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement: Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP) – HRSA-23-090

January 26, 2023

New Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement: Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP) – HRSA-23-090

Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP) HRSA-23-090

Applications accepted until Thursday, March 23, 2023 11:59 p.m. ET.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, health service psychologists, counselors, nurses, and/or social workers (including individuals completing clinical training requirements for licensure) trained to provide mental health and substance use disorder services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and substance use disorder services, including such settings that serve pediatric populations.

Individuals completing clinical training requirements for licensure refers to individuals who have completed their academic degree, but require a period of supervised training to obtain full licensure. 

Eligible Applicants Include:

(a) Teaching health centers;

(b) Federally qualified health centers; community mental health centers, rural health clinics, Health centers operated by Indian Health Services, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations; or

(c) Urban Indian organizations.

View the grant opportunity for complete eligibility information.

Awards: HRSA anticipates awarding approximately $9 million to approximately 17 recipients over a period of five years through this funding opportunity.

Have questions? Join the Technical Assistance Webinar 

Date: Thursday, February 9, 2023 Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET

A Redesigned Ruralcenter.org

January 26, 2023

A Redesigned Ruralcenter.org

Introducing the new ruralcenter.org – the online home of the National Rural Health Resource Center, the leading technical assistance and knowledge center focused on rural health.

Following a more than six-month-long design and development process, they are officially launching the new site. Once you visit the revamped ruralcenter.org and begin exploring, you’ll find a layout and design that’s fresh, modern, and inviting, a site that provides an improved user experience for visitors.

You Spoke. They Listened.

Even before they officially surveyed website users and key stakeholders this past year, they heard your comments. “It’s too text heavy.” “Sometimes it’s difficult to find the things I’m looking for.” Those comments have played a vital role in the redesign process. Thank you for your willingness to speak up and share your feedback.

New Look. Same High-Quality Resources.

The “look” of the site has certainly changed: There’s less text. More images and videos. More color. A more streamlined navigation. But the resources and events that you’ve come to expect — reporting templates, toolkits, webinars, podcasts, and so much more — are all still here. They’re just easier to find, download, and use.

You’ll also Notice…

In addition to a website redesign, The Center’s brand has been refreshed. The new look features abstract icons that depict a landscape with a crossroads in the foreground and a rising sun in the horizon. The new graphical elements in the logo help to communicate much of what The Center is about: The pathways crossing signify togetherness and collaboration; the sun conveys positivity and possibilities.

What Do You Think?

What do you think of the new site? Are you able to navigate it easily? Can you find the guides and toolkits that you’re looking for? And what about the new brand logo? What’s your gut feeling? If you’re willing to share your thoughts about the site and logo, please email mmcgill@ruralcenter.org.

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) – Upcoming INSPIRE Webinars

January 26, 2023

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) – Upcoming INSPIRE Webinars

Throughout the month of February, the ARC will be hosting several events focusing on the INSPIRE Initiative for communities to learn more about the program. Mark your calendars now to join us on the following dates:

*More information on the in-person application workshops will be forthcoming. Please visit ARC’s website for workshop updates.

USDA shares funding opportunity from the Appalachian Regional Commission

January 26, 2023

USDA shares funding opportunity from the Appalachian Regional Commission

USDA is pleased to share this funding announcement from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Recovery Ecosystem Grant Funding Announcement

On January 17, 2023 the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) initiative. The grant program addresses the region’s substance use disorder (SUD) crisis with investments up to $13 million for the creation and expansion of a SUD recovery ecosystem that helps facilitate entry and re-entry.

Awards issued through the INSPIRE Initiative will support a wide variety of projects on the post-treatment to employment continuum including:

  • Investments in healthcare networks to better meet the needs of SUD recovery professionals
  • Recovery-focused job and workforce training programs
  • Expanded recovery support networks
  • Training and certification of recovery specialists

Letters of Intent (LOI) for implementation grants up to $500,000 and planning grants up to $50,000 under INSPIRE are due February 21, 2023. The deadline for final applications is March 17, 2023. Award announcements are anticipated to be made in September 2023.

For more information on this initiative and how to apply, please visit the ARC’s website.

Culturally and Competency Training for Staff/First Responders in Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response

January 26, 2023

Culturally and Competency Training for Staff/First Responders in Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) – Offered by Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN)

Research shows that cultural minority groups suffer disproportionately during every phase of a disaster. This e-learning program from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to best serve all individuals, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

Why Use Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Throughout a Disaster?

Have you experienced a time when you did not know how to best serve individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds before, after, or during a disaster? Did you know that racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to suffer worse outcomes than the general population during every phase of a disaster?

This set of courses is designed to help you deliver culturally and linguistically competent services in disaster situations. Cultural and linguistic competency is the capacity for individuals and organizations to work and communicate effectively in cross-cultural situations. Cultural and linguistic competency can help improve the quality of the care you deliver to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

This free e-learning program from the HHS Office of Minority Health is accredited for up to 9 continuing education credits, at no cost, for emergency medical personnel/first responders, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers, and up to 12 hours for dentists. After completing the required Course 1, you may take the remaining courses in any order you like.

This e-learning program is grounded in the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care. These standards are intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health disparities. The National CLAS Standards provide you with a blueprint for increasing your cultural and linguistic competency.

Take the Course HERE

NOW ACCEPTING – Student Loan and Loan Repayment Applications: January 1, 2023 – March 1, 2023

January 25, 2023

NOW ACCEPTING – Student Loan and Loan Repayment Applications: January 1, 2023 – March 1, 2023

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care are now accepting Student Loan and Loan Repayment applications for:

Applications accepted:  January 1, 2023 through March 1, 2023.

Contact the Office of Rural Health & Primary Care for more information by phone (800)-891-7415 or email DHSS.LoanRepayment@health.mo.gov.

Urgent Survey – The Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey Due 01/31/2023

January 25, 2023

 

 

 

The Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey

The National Rural Health Association, in partnership with Stroudwater Associates, Inc., introduced a first-of-its kind Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey. This survey will be the first of its kind, providing insight into rural hospitals and promoting more informed decisions when considering physician compensation based on the results of this survey. It will take less than 10 minutes, then the information will be compiled, analyzed and shared at no cost to rural healthcare leaders.  Thank you for your time and participation!

DHSS promotes funding transparency, accountability through interactive dashboard and stories

January 23, 2023

Dashboard connects nearly $1.2 billion from 88 projects to House and Senate districts

The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) published a new dashboard at Health.Mo.Gov/funding that allows users to explore how nearly $1.2 billion in federal funding is benefiting Missourians. As legislative leaders began the budget process formally last week by hearing Governor Parson’s budget recommendations th­is dashboard will help explain where COVID-19 public health funding is headed by each House and Senate district, Missouri county and federal funding act. This public health dashboard compliments the statewide ARPA dashboard by showing funding from seven federal funding acts including ARPA, CARES Act and more.

“Public health is worth investing in,” said, Paula Nickelson, acting director of DHSS. “We know that with an increase in funding, we must also increase our ability to transparently reflect where that money is going and h ow it is benefiting Missourians. This influx of funding represents a unique, unprecedented opportunity to use short-term funding to enhance systems and impact the public’s health for generations.”

The dashboard is accompanied by five multimedia stories, which are the first five stories in a series that will highlight major innovations supported by this funding. Additional stories will be added over the next several months to showcase projects within local public health agencies, area agencies on aging and other critical partners.

The stories include:

  • Vital records: building a fully digital, comprehensive system for 112 years’ worth of records, including birth, death and marriage records.
  • Testing speed: new equipment automated manual processes, increased capacity and allowed for faster test results.
  • Disease monitoring: improved equipment combined with a new partnership with MU enhanced Missouri’s ability to track diseases and variants.
  • Closed-loop recycling program: created laboratory supplies during extreme supply chain disruptions by recycling 1,500 pounds of plastic waste.
  • Improving nutrition: Missouri WIC increased funding for fruits and vegetables, and will build a digital data dashboard.

 

 

 

USDA Offers Grants for Programs to Create High-Wage Jobs and New Businesses in Underserved Rural Communities

January 23, 2023

USDA Offers Grants for Programs to Create High-Wage Jobs and New Businesses in Underserved Rural Communities

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is accepting grant applications for community-driven programs that will help create high-wage jobs and new businesses in underserved rural communities.

The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program provides grants for job accelerator partnerships that will serve people in low-income and underserved rural communities.

For fiscal year 2023, the RISE program is making $2 million available to consortiums of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities in rural areas. The funding may be used to support innovation centers and job accelerator programs that improve the ability of distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, form new businesses, and identify and maximize local assets.

To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.