s en Seies o, =HRSA SN 7 Announcements from the % Federal Office of Rural Health Policy OCTOBER 24, 2024 WHAT'S NEW HRSA’s New Office of Tribal Affairs.  Created by the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (formerly known as the Office of Regional Operations) , the OTA works to bring resources and information to Tribal governments and organizations.  To learn more, sign up for the Tribal Affairs monthly newsletter and read about the most recent Tribal Advisory Council convened by the OTA. AHRQ Examines Diagnostic Errors in Rural Healthcare Settings. A new issue brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) emphasizes disparities in access to high-quality diagnostic care and underscores the importance of community engagement, bolstering care coordination, and screening patients for social determinants of health.  Save the Date: HRSA Virtual Job Fair for Rural Communities – Wednesday, November 20 at 6:00 pm.  In observance of National Rural Health Day on November 21, HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce will hold a free, online event to connect primary care trainees and practicing clinicians with health care facilities with job openings.  Rural facilities wishing to participate can register now, though registration does not guarantee a spot at the event.  Unlike other HRSA Job Fair events sites are not required to be NHSC-approved, but they’ll be selected based on rural site designation and their Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) score.  For questions, email the Virtual Job Fair Team. - FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES National Community Care Corps Local Models Program – December 11.  The nonprofit provides funding for innovative local models in which volunteers assist family caregivers, older adults, and adults with disabilities to help individuals maintain their independence and age in place. The program intends to fund local models that represent a diverse cross section of the United States in terms of geography; urban, rural, frontier, and tribal communities; and underserved and limited English-speaking populations. COSSUP Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions for Substance Use and Misuse – December 16.  The nonprofit Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program  (COSSUP) offers a one-year fellowship for rural practitioners from different professional backgrounds to address substance use and misuse in rural communities.  The project is co-sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the State Justice Institute. USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Grants and Loans for Energy Systems/Improvements – December 31.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides financing and grant funding for agriculture producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems or complete energy efficiency improvements. An example of a potential project may be the installation of solar panels for hospitals or clinics to improve energy costs. U.S. Department of Energy Demonstration Funding for Energy Improvement in Rural/Remote Areas – Letters of Intent February 27.  The federal Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations will provide financial investment, technical assistance, and other resources to advance clean energy demonstrations and energy solutions in rural and remote areas that can be replicated and scaled. Communities Unlimited, Inc: Water and Wastewater Loans for Rural Systems – Ongoing.  Communities Unlimited, a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Financial Development Institution, offers loans with terms up to 15 years, for small, rural community water and wastewater projects.  Loans are made nationwide with an emphasis on Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. - POLICY UPDATES Send questions to . No updates this week. - LEARNING EVENTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Citizen’s Institute on Rural Design: Local Design Workshops Explained – Thursday, October 24 at 2:00 pm Eastern.  The national nonprofit Citizen’s Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) explains its approach to bringing together local residents, leaders, and community organizations with creative placemaking professionals.  The CIRD is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the nonprofit Housing Assistance Council. NTIA Digital Equity Webinar Series: Digital Solutions for Tribal Nations – Thursday, October 24 at 2:00 pm Eastern.  Tribal leaders will discuss how they are using federal and other resources in this webinar hosted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). AgriSafe Network: Mental Health Response Training for Agricultural Communities – Thursday, October 24 at 4:00 pm Eastern.  During this 90-minute session, experts will discuss how to recognize and respond to mental health crises using the approach of Question, Persuade, and Refer.  White House Rural Partners Call – Tuesday, October 29 at 3:00 pm Eastern. On their next regularly scheduled call, the Office of Public Engagement will be joined by representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Administration with updates on work to assist communities affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.  Center on Rural Addiction: Providing Medication and Safe Supply for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) – Wednesday, October 30 at 12:00 pm Eastern.  During this hour-long session, learn how nurse practitioners are assuming leadership roles to enhance person-centered care and consider the implications for OUD medications in rural and remote settings. The Center on Rural Addiction at the University of Vermont is one of three FORHP-supported Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders.  Rural and Community Based Surgery Residency Programs: An Overview – Wednesday, October 30 at 4:00 pm Eastern.  The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine will provide an overview of surgical workforce trends, options to create rural pathways, and practical guidance learned from two recently developed programs.  Addressing the Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Substance Use in Maternal Health Care – Thursday, November 7 at 2:00 pm Eastern.  HRSA’s Office of Women’s Health hosts an hour-long session to discuss the National Strategy to Improve Maternal Mental Health as well as initiatives integrating prevention and care for IPV, substance use, and maternal health.  FORHP-funded research published in August 2023 reports higher rates of perinatal IPV for rural residents compared with their urban counterparts.  Earlier this year, a report in The American Journal of Public Health identified intimate partner violence (IPV) as a leading cause of maternal mortality.  - RESOURCE OF THE WEEK RHIhub Topic Guide: Finding Statistics and Data Related to Rural Health.  In a recent update, the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) shares how to navigate to rural-specific statistics on and challenges that come with analyzing rural health data, such as many different definitions of rural. - COVID-19 RESOURCES *New, October 2024: Free COVID-19 Tests by Mail.  U.S. households will be able to order as many as four nasal swab tests at COVIDTests.gov.  The orders and shipping are free.  For help placing an order, call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY: 1-888-720-7489). Learn About Long COVID & Fatiguing Illness  – Thursday, November 14 at 3:00 pm Eastern.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funds this monthly webinar-style Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) learning session to rapidly disseminate findings about Post-COVID Conditions (PCC) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). The series offers presentations by subject matter experts, examples of emerging best practices and models of care, and a facilitated Q&A. This program is intended primarily for providers who care for patients with PCC and ME/CFS but is open to all healthcare professionals and all Long COVID and ME/CFS patient-lived experience experts interested in learning more about the treatment of Long COVID and ME/CFS. Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth.  ProviderBridge.org was created through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by the Federation of State Medical Boards and HRSA’s Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing by state as well as a provider portal to connect volunteer health care professionals to state agencies and health care entities.  - APPROACHING DEADLINES ARC READY Grants to Grow in Appalachia – Letters of Intent November 1 – November 3 HRSA National Health Service Corps Students to Service  Loan Repayment Program – November 7 USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program – November 7 California Song-Brown Healthcare Workforce Training Program: Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM) and Licensed Midwifery (LM) Training Programs – November 12 Proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2026 ACA Marketplaces – Comment by November 12 EPA Brownfield Clean-Up Grants – November 14 USDA Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance Grants – November 18 HUD Lead Hazard Control/Older Adults Home Modification Grants – November 19 NIH Research Centers in Minority Institutions – November 19 EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants – November 21 HUD Continuum of Care Builds – November 21 AHRQ TeamSTEPPS®: No Cost Training for Patient Safety – Sessions through November 2024 EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants – November 21 NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program – November 21 EPA Environmental Protection Agency Training and Technical Assistance for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities – November 25 CMS State Planning Grants to Address Continuity of Care for People Who Have Been Incarcerated – November 26 Updates to FY25 Medicare Inpatient Hospital Pay Rates – Comment by November 29 CDC Research Grants to Rigorously Evaluate Innovative and Promising Strategies to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence and Injuries – December 2 Health Affairs Call for Abstracts on Overdose Crisis – December 2 AmeriCorps VISTA Request for Concept Papers – December 6 HRSA Seeks Nominations for NHSC Advisory Board – Submit by December 6 CMS Request for Information: Medicare $2 Drug List Model – Respond by December 9 OHSA Request for Information: Extending COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting for Employees in Healthcare Settings – Respond by December 9 National Community Care Corps Local Models Program – December 11 AHRQ State-Based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives – December 12 COSSUP Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions for Substance Use and Misuse – December 16 USDA Rural Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization Program – Email Intent to Apply by December 16 USDA Intermediary Relending Program for Rural Economic Development – December 31 USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Grants and Loans for Energy Systems/Improvements – December 31 U.S. Department of Energy Demonstration Funding for Energy Improvement in Rural/Remote Areas – Letters of Intent February 27 - ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES HRSA Needs Rural Reviewers for Grant Applications Medicaid and CHIP Renewal and Transition Resources for Partners National Indian Health Board Vaccination Event Funding – Ongoing while funds last SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Volunteer and Job Opportunities USDA Disaster Repair Grants for Rural Communities (for officially declared disasters in 2022-2023) USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants ACF Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ACF Rural Community Development Program for Rural Water Systems AgriSafe Mental Health Training for Agricultural Producers & Families American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) Foundation - Accreditation Grants American Heart Association Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator American Indian Public Health Resource Center Technical Assistance AmeriCorps American Connection Corps for Broadband in Rural Areas Appalachian Community Fund Technical Assistance Grants Appalachian Regional Commission J-1 Visa Waivers for Doctors Association of American Indian Physicians Tribal Grant Writing Training ASA Rural Access to Anesthesia Care Scholarship California Department of Health Care Access – Small and Rural Hospital Relief Program CDC Direct Assistance to State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Health Agencies CDC Training Pediatric Medical Providers to Recognize ACEs Communities Unlimited, Inc: Water and Wastewater Loans for Rural Systems CORH Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program Delta Regional Authority Community Infrastructure Fund Delta Doctors J-1 Visa Waiver Program Department of Commerce: Economic Development Assistance Programs DRA Technical Assistance for Delta Region Community Health Systems Development EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund EPA Water Infrastructure and Innovation Act Program FEMA/SAMHSA Post-Disaster Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program GSA Federal Surplus Property Available for Public Use GPHC & RWJF: Rapid Cycle Research and Evaluation Grants for Cross-Sector Alignment HRSA/SAMHSA Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Training and Mentoring HRSA Seeking Nominations for Migrant Health Advisory HRSA Technical Assistance for Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program Housing Assistance Council: Housing Loans for Low-Income Rural Communities HUD Distressed Cities and Persistent Poverty Technical Assistance Program HUD Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program IHS Forensic Nursing Consultation Program and Training IHS/DOD Medical Supplies and Equipment for Tribes (Project TRANSAM) Licensure Portability: the Multi-Discipline Licensure Resource Project NARHC Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence Technical Assistance National Indian Health Board Tribal Environmental Justice Technical Assistance Center National Indian Health Board Tribal Environmental Impact Network Call for Technical Assistance Providers National Indian Health Board Vaccination Event Funding National Indigenous Women's Resource Center Technical Assistance for Domestic Violence Programs Native Americans into  Medicine Host Sites for National Environmental Public Health Internship NIH Addressing the Impact of Structural Racism and Discrimination – Various dates until October 2025 NIH Researching Firearm Injury and Mortality Prevention – February 2026 NIH Research to Address Vaccine Hesitancy in Health Disparity Populations – June 2026 NIH Planning Grants for Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) – various dates until July 2026 NIH Research to Understand Disparities in Maternal Morbidity and Mortality – Various dates until October 2026 NIH Data Informed, Place-Based Community-Engaged Research to Advance Health Equity – January 2027 NIH/UVA Seeking Rural Individuals to Participate in Weight Loss Study (iREACH) – until 2027 NIH Project Talk Initiative Host Site Applications NOSORH Rural Primary Care Institute Nominations for Federal Advisory Commission on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases NRHA Chief Nursing Officer Certification Program for Rural Hospitals Opportunity Finance Network/Partners for the Common Good – Economic Justice Partnership Fund Oweesta Native CDFI Loan Funds and Technical Assistance Primary Care Development Corporation Community Investment Loans Rural Community Assistance Corporation Community Facility Loans for Western States and Pacific Islands Rural Community Assistance Corporation Environmental Infrastructure Loans for Western States Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development Rural Grocery Transition Specialist Program RTT Collaborative: Rural Training Track Directors University RWJF Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health RWJF Pioneering Ideas Brief Proposals SAMHSA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program for Communities Post-Disaster SAMHSA Training to Provide Medication Assisted Treatment Small Business Administration Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Small Business Administration Certified Development Company (504) Loan Program: Rural Initiative Pilot Program Southeast Rural Community Development Loans Treasury Department Opportunity Zone Economic Development Program United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc Tribal Health Program Support USDA Circuit Rider Program – Technical Assistance for Rural Water Systems USDA Community Facilities Program USDA Community Food Projects Technical Assistance USDA Drinking Water and Waste Disposal for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages USDA Economic Impact Initiative Grants USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA Healthy Food Financing Initiative Technical Assistance USDA Intermediary Relending Program – Ongoing with deadlines every quarter USDA Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees USDA National School Lunch Afterschool Snack Program USDA/NRHA Rural Hospital Technical Assistance USDA Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Business Investment Program USDA Rural Energy Savings Program USDA SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (for Water/Waste Projects) USDA Summer Food Program USDA Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees USDA Funding for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Projects USDA Water and Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and Colonias USDOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program Veterans Affairs Virtual Living Room - Using Technology to Address the Critical Healthcare Needs of Veterans in Rural Areas Western Region Public Health Training Center – Future Leaders Program WWAMI Area Health Education Center Scholars Program 3RNET Recruitment and Retention Assistance - The Announcements from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy are distributed weekly. If this message was forwarded and you’d like to receive it directly, sign up for Rural Health Updates through HRSA Email Subscriptions. fb twitter icon linkedin icon youtube icon youtube icon Sign up for eNews -   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