Innovation Matters: Funding Opportunities, Publications, Events and Learning

USDA Rural Development sent this bulletin at 11/17/2020 12:50 PM EST

Innovation Matters - November 2020 - Opportunities to Support Access to Rural Health Care

Bi-weekly list of funding and learning opportunities in rural America.

USDA To Recognize National Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020

USDA is recognizing National Rural Health Day on Nov. 19, 2020, to applaud the many contributions to address the unique challenges that rural communities face to access and deliver health care services. For more information about the day, visit https://www.powerofrural.org/.

In This Issue:

- Funding Opportunities

- Publications and Resources

- Event Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

Rural Infrastructure

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
USDA Rural Development is making funding available to build, expand and improve essential community facilities which includes qualified equipment. Access the guidebook for more information. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Connected Care Pilot Program
The Universal Service Administrative Company established a three-year pilot program which will provide funding to help defray eligible health care providers’ costs for nonprofit and public health care providers up to 85 percent of the eligible costs of broadband connectivity, equipment and information services to provide connected care services to a patient population. Application Deadline: Dec. 7, 2020

Community Connect Grant Program
USDA Rural Development provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed to all premises in rural, economically challenged communities where broadband service does not exist. Fact Sheet. Application Deadline: Dec. 23, 2020

Solid Waste Management Grants
USDA Rural Development program helps to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources by funding organizations to provide technical assistance or training to improve the management of solid waste sites. Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2020

Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program
USDA is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, agricultural producers that are not eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency loans may receive funding under USDA B&I CARES Act Program provisions included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Access recorded webinars for Lenders and Businesses and Producers. Application Deadline: Sept. 15, 2021, or until funds are expended.

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources Related to Rural Infrastructure:

Economic Development

Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program is providing assistance to enhance health care delivery to rural underserved populations. Application Deadline: Dec. 1, 2020

Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program
USDA Rural Development program is making grants available to provide technical assistance and/or training to help recipients support rural water or wastewater systems. Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2020

USDA Farm to School Program
The Food and Nutrition Service’s Office of Community Food Systems offers grants to assist eligible entities implement farm-to-school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. Application Deadline: Jan. 8, 2021

National Telehealth Resource Center (RTRC) Program
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’ Health Resources and Services Administration offers funding to assist health care organizations, health care networks, and health care providers in the implementation of cost-effective telehealth programs to serve rural areas and populations. Application Deadline: Jan. 21, 2021

Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture program offers support for programs offering community-based outreach education programs that positively impact health and safety. Application Deadline: Apr. 29, 2021

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources to Support Rural Economic Development

Opportunities for Tribal Communities

Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP)
Bureau of Justice Assistance funding to support jurisdictions’ efforts to reduce the impact of opioids, stimulants, and other substances on individuals and communities, including reducing the number of overdose fatalities and mitigating the impacts on crime victims by supporting comprehensive, collaborative initiatives. Application Deadline: Open

Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture program is providing assistance to 1994 Land-Grant Institutions to help build institutional research capacity through applied projects that address student educational needs and meet community, reservation or regional challenges. Application Deadline: Jan. 13, 2021

Fiscal Year 2021 Tribal Wetland Program Development Grants
Environmental Protection Agency is making funding available to assist state, tribal, local government agencies and interstate/intertribal entities in developing or refining state/tribal/local programs to protect, manage and restore wetlands. Application Deadline: Jan. 15, 2021

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program
Indian Health Service (IHS) is making a loan repayment program available for undergraduate and graduate health professional educational loans in return for full-time clinical service in IHS programs. Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2021

Indian Health Service Health Professional Scholarship
Indian Health Service is making scholarships available for American Indian and Alaska Native students who are enrolled in undergraduate or preparatory courses to help prepare for entry into medical schools. Application Deadline: Feb. 28, 2021

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources to Support Tribal Entities:

Publications and Resources

USDA’s Rural Health Subscription List
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development to receive updates related to rural health, join the Agency’s Rural Health subscription list.

Telemedicine Technologies in Rural Washington Spark Long-Term Advancement in Health Care Delivery
USDA Rural Development Washington State Director Kirk Pearson writes about the impacts of USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program in rural Washington. (In celebration of National Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov. 19, USDA is highlighting stories throughout the week of how we are working with rural leaders and our partners to increase access to critical health care across rural America. To access stories as they're posted, visit https://www.usda.gov/media/blog.)

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Celebrates National Rural Health Day
HRSA recognizes the annual event with online activities throughout the week including a virtual rural job fair and many webinars focused on the rural health care, social determinants of health and telehealth.

Rural Action Plan
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides an overview of the current rural health care landscape featuring a strategy to leverage technology, focus on preventing disease and mortality, and rural access to care.

Guidebook and Research Plan to Help Communities Improve Transportation to Health Care Services
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provides guidance to help health care and transportation agencies work together to increase transportation services and improve health outcomes.

Event Opportunities

Mental Health Roundtable Discussion
Nov. 18 | Webinar
USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement offers a virtual platform to have a conversation with subject matter experts, practitioners, and community leaders on the importance of mental health.

How Broadband Enhances Local Economies
Nov. 18 | Webinar
BroadbandUSA, National Telecommunications and Information Administration offers a new webinar featuring success stories on real partnerships, plans and actions used to stabilize and strengthen economies through increased broadband adoption.

National League of Cities Virtual City Summit
Nov. 18 - 20 | Virtual Summit
National League of Cities offers a virtual opportunity for cities to learn, build, grow and renew through panel discussions, keynotes, networking and workshops.

2020 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Rural Health Seminar: Rural Health Challenges in the Era of COVID-19
Nov. 19 | Webinar
NIHpresents this seminar to explore the impact of COVID-19 on and response for rural populations, systems and workforce issues and community engagement.

Rural Housing Symposium: Recovery Through Resiliency
Dec. 2 - 3 | Virtual Symposium
The Housing Assistance Council offers a virtual meeting to discuss the state of rural housing and strategize replicable approaches that drive equitable rural development.

OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative Lender Office Hours
Dec. 9 | Webinar
USDA Rural Development is hosting a webinar for lenders to answer questions about the new processes under the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative.

To access programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, download the COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide.

Visit www.coronavirus.gov for the latest news from the CDC on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus for the latest news from Rural Development on how we are helping our partners, customers, and stakeholders impacted by COVID-19.

Newsletters, websites and emails from which we gather this information include:

USDA Rural Development’s full Catalog of Programs
Grants.gov
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Aspen Institute
e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Pew Research Center
Philanthropy News Digest
Rural LISC e-newsletter
National Association of Development Organizations

USDA Rural Development Innovation Center

Email: rd.innovation@usda.gov | Webpage: usda.gov/rdinnovation

www.rd.usda.gov

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