Rural Spotlight

CDC Update on Avian Flu, July 16

July 8, 2024

CDC Update on Avian Flu, July 16

On July 16, through its Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity Group, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will give updates on highly pathogenic A (H5N1) virus, also known as avian flu.

On this hour-long call, speakers will provide clinicians with information on testing, using antivirals, and infection prevention and control recommendations.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) virus is widespread among wild birds and continues to cause outbreaks in poultry and spillover to mammals.

To date, there have been three human cases of HPA! A(H5N1) virus infection identified in dairy farm workers in the United States. The risk to the public from HPAI A (H5N1) viruses is low; however, people who have job-related or recreational exposure to infected birds or animals, including dairy cattle, are at greater risk of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection.

Continuing education credits are available.

To join this call, please click the link below when it is time for the call to start.

Cost:  Free

When: Tuesday, July 16, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

Webinar Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1618350375

Passcode: 143703

Webinar ID: 161 835 0375

Virtual Conference – SAMHSA Rural Recovery: Challenges & Solutions, July 10-11

July 8, 2024

Virtual Conference – SAMHSA Rural Recovery: Challenges & Solutions, July 11

Register for this two-day conference, held online, to learn how peer-based and other SAMHSA recovery support programs are meeting the challenges of providing help to individuals and families facing behavioral problems in Rural, Frontier and Tribal Communities.

The conference is sponsored by the office of Recovery at the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (SAMSHA).

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, July 10-11, 10:00 a.m. CT

Click Here to Register

New Resource: Rural SUD Info Center

July 8, 2024

New Resource: Rural SUD Info Center

The Rural SUD Info Center is an exciting new clearinghouse that highlights the work of three different Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance use Disorders (SUD), all of which are funded by FORHP’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP).

Visitors to the website will find current information and technical assistance opportunities on SUD through a rural lens.

Click Here to Visit the Rural SUD Info Center

New Funding Opportunity: Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program – HRSA-24-121

July 8, 2024

New Funding Opportunity: Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program – HRSA-24-121

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’S) Office for the Advancement of Telehealth will invest approximately $3,800,000 for up to eight new cooperative agreements.

In this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model” means a distance health education model that connects health care professionals, and particularly specialists, with multiple other health care professionals through simultaneous interactive videoconferencing for the purpose of facilitating case-based learning, disseminating best practices  and evaluating outcomes.

The purpose of the Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program – HRSA-24-121, is to improve retention of health care providers and increase access to health care services, such as those to address chronic diseases and conditions including

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Infectious diseases
  • Mental health and substance use disorders
  • Prenatal and maternal health
  • Pediatric care
  • Pain management
  • Palliative care and other specialty care in:
    • Rural areas
    • Frontier areas
    • Health professional shortage areas (HPSAs)
    • Medically underserved areas or medically underserved population or Native Americans

Awarded entities will evaluate, develop, and expand the use of technology-enable learning models to:

  • Build capacity
  • Improve retention of health care providers
  • Increase access to services

Applications must be submitted no later than August 2, 2024.

Click Here to Learn More and Apply

RHIhub This Week

July 3, 2024

RHIhub This Week

RHIhub This Week keeps you informed of the latest rural news, funding opportunities, publications and events.

Click Here to Read RHIhub This Week

Supplemental Health Care Service Agencies Urged to Register with the State

July 2, 2024

Supplemental Health Care Service Agencies Urged to Register with the State

The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented workforce challenges in the health care industry that led to an increase in supplemental health care service agencies in operation which help fill critical gaps in staffing. In 2022, a law was passed in Missouri requiring these agencies to register with the State of Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

DHSS was tasked with building the new program and regulations. Since September 2023, DHSS has had oversight of supplemental health care service agencies if such agency provides or procures temporary health care personnel to a licensed hospital (as defined under section 197.020, RSMo), or a licensed assisted living facility, intermediate care facility, residential care facility, or skilled nursing facility (as defined under section 198.006, RSMo), including the registration and inspection process of such agencies and the investigation of complaints.

A supplemental health care services agency is defined in Missouri law as a person, firm, corporation, partnership or association engaged for hire in the business of providing or procuring temporary employment in health care facilities for health care personnel, including a temporary nursing staffing agency, or that operates a digital website or digital smartphone application that facilitates the provision of the engagement of health care personnel and accepts requests for health care personnel through its digital website or digital smartphone application.

Agencies are to register online annually to remain compliant. Changes to the agency, such as contact information or ownership, shall also be reported to DHSS within 30 days of the change.

To view a supplemental health care service agency’s application status, view this dashboard. To report an agency not yet registered with the State, email SHCSA@health.mo.gov or call 573-526-5335.

For more information about regulation of supplemental health care service agencies, visit the DHSS website.

Webinar: Cybersecurity for Rural Hospitals, July 16

July 2, 2024

Webinar: Cybersecurity for Rural Hospitals, July 16

The Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) and the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) invite you to join this webinar for a conversation with the National Rural Health Association (NRHA).

The discussion will focus on the new White House initiative, in partnership with Google and Microsoft, to provide a range of free or discounted cybersecurity services to rural hospitals across the country to help them in their efforts to prevent cyberattacks.

Rural hospitals and clinics face a unique challenge in cybersecurity, balancing limited resources with the increasing sophistication of cyberthreats, which puts patient data and critical healthcare infrastructure at risk.

Registration is required.

Cost: Free

When: Tuesday, July 16, 12:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

New Resource! Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit

July 2, 2024

New Resource! Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit

The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) has a new toolkit, developed in collaboration with the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis.

The Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit compiles evidence-based and promising models and resources to support the implementation of chronic disease management programs in rural communities across the United States.

The modules in this toolkit contain resources and information focused on:

  • Developing
  • Implementing
  • Evaluating
  • and Sustaining

rural programs for the management of chronic disease.

Click Here to Access the Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit

Click Here to Access the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Toolkit

Now Enrolling: Independent Rural Health Clinic Institute

July 2, 2024

Now Enrolling: Independent Rural Health Clinic Institute

Please consider joining Stroudwater Associates, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) for a seven-part series on finance and revenue cycle for independent RHCs, building on concepts established in the 2023 Independent RHC Institute.

This series features a pre-session meeting to provide a recap of previously covered topics as well as some provider based RHC-specific content.

RHC Institute Benefits:

  • This is a substantial opportunity to invest in your professional development.
  • There is no cost for attendance
    • all who are interested in attending the sessions are permitted to register, free of charge.
  • This institute is specially designed for Independent RHCs but also offers valuable insights for Provider-Based RHCs.

The Institute begins July 12, so register today!

Click here for the full agenda.

If you have any questions, please contact Tonne McCoy, NOSORH Technical Assistance Director, at tonnem@nosorh.org.

Missouri Health Workforce Partnership Meetings – St. Joseph & Warrensburg

July 2, 2024

Missouri Health Workforce Partnership Meetings – St. Joseph & Warrensburg

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) IEA Region 7 is hosting two Health Workforce meetings in Missouri:

  • Joseph, MO – East Hills Library, 502 N. Woodbine Rd., July 11, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Warrensburg, MO – Trails Regional Library – Warrensburg branch, 432 N. Holden Street, August 1, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

In this meeting, you will learn about HRSA health workforce programs and resources, as well as discuss health workforce issues, including:

  • Challenges
  • Strategies and models to support the health workforce
  • Current technical assistance needs
  • Opportunities for collaboration

These meetings are offered in person only; there will not be a virtual option.

Click Here to Register for St. Joseph meeting, July 11

Click Here to Register for Warrensburg meeting, August 1