Pediatric Mental Health Care Access, Provider Relief Fund Website, and more

A Newsletter from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

 September 2, 2021

Message from the HRSA Acting Administrator

diana espinosa

I am excited to announce a recent reorganization of HRSA.

The sustained growth of HRSA over the past decade speaks to our mission of improving health and access to care for people who are geographically isolated, or economically or medically vulnerable. Our reorganization will better position us to meet our priorities in the changing health care landscape.

HRSA has a new Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs to coordinate our broad range of stakeholder engagement, an Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) in the Office of the Administrator to serve as HHS’s focal point for fostering the use of telehealth broadly, a Provider Relief Bureau (PRB) to manage and distribute financial support for health care providers as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and an Office of Special Health Initiatives (OSHI) to oversee the 340B Drug Pricing Program as well as several cross-cutting HRSA activities related to clinical care. The reorganization also includes internal realignments that will help us more efficiently manage our grants. All of these changes will bolster HRSA’s ability to serve our stakeholders, improve health and achieve health equity.

You can see our current organization chart on the HRSA website. More details of the HRSA reorganization are available in the Federal Register

Thank you for your commitment and partnership during these challenging times.

Diana Espinosa
Acting Administrator


Biden-Harris Administration Invests $10.7 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Expand Pediatric Mental Health Care Access

man looking at laptop screen

August 27 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $10.7 million from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to expand pediatric mental health care access by integrating telehealth services into pediatric care. The awards were made through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Read the release.


Provider Relief Fund Website

provider relief fund website viewed from tablet

Congress provided $178 billion in funding to establish the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) program that gives financial support to providers who have faced lost revenues and increased expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning, we have played a lead role in administering the PRF program and disbursing the funds as quickly as possible. With the expansion of the program, information previously hosted on the HHS website is now available on the HRSA website. We have made all archived content available to the public.


Physician Assistants Now Eligible for National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program

new graduate with cap and gown

The 2022 National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) application cycle is now open. This year, you can apply if you are a physician assistant (PA) student in your final-year of school. 

Additionally, you can apply for awards of up to $120,000 if you are a final year student studying to become a:

  • Nurse practitioner (NP)
  • Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
  • Medical doctor (MD/DO)
  • Dentist (DDS/DMD)

In exchange, you must commit to three years of providing primary care services at NHSC-approved sites in high-need underserved areas. 

Application Deadline: Thursday, November 4, 7:30 p.m. ET.


New Health Center Research Briefs Offer Insights on Maternity Care, Clinical Quality Measures, and Medication-Assisted Treatment

map with location pins

We’ve published new research briefs exploring:

  • Health center capacity in maternity care deserts.
  • Differences in clinical quality measures among Appalachian and non-Appalachian health centers.
  • The role of health centers in providing medication-assisted treatment.

The briefs were developed through the Uniform Data System (UDS) Mapper, a tool that helps evaluate the geographic reach, penetration, and growth of the Health Center Program and its relationship to other federally-linked health resources.

Visit the Health Center Research and Evaluation webpage to view the briefs and other resources that highlight ongoing health center research.


The Digital Divide in Healthcare

image of report

Research shows that communities of color, older adults, people with lower educational levels, and families of low-income are more likely to experience limited digital access.

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) published a brief on how federal agencies and states are expanding digital access to improve digital equity and access to care through:

  • Funding investments
  • Unique partnerships
  • Other innovative interventions

In addition, the ASTHO interview with Craig Settles, a broadband expert with more than 30 years of experience, explores ‘broadband redlining’, how pervasive it can be, and why the solutions will need to be community driven.

HRSA’s National Organizations of State and Local Officials Cooperative Agreement provided support for these resources.


American Rescue Plan Presents Opportunities for States to Support School Mental Health Systems

children at school

The mental health needs of school-aged children and youth have been increasing for over a decade, a trend which has been amplified by the pandemic. The American Rescue Plan Act contains several provisions that provide funding to state and local education agencies to support students returning to school, including by strengthening school mental health systems.

HRSA’s National Organizations of State and Local Officials Cooperative Agreement provided support for this National Association of State Health Policy blog.


image of a calendar

September

  • National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
  • National Sickle Cell Month
  • Newborn Screening Awareness Month
  • National Suicide Prevention Month and Week (5-11)
  • National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (18)

Funding Opportunities

 

Health Centers


Service Area Competition (HRSA-22-005) - apply by September 7

Service Area Competition (HRSA-22-006) - apply by October 4

Service Area Competition-Additional Areas: Colebrook, NH and San Juan, PR - apply by October 25

Health Workforce


Promoting Resilience and Mental Health Among Health Professional Workforce (PRMHW) - apply by September 20

Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program - apply by September 20

Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center (HPSWRTAC) - apply by September 20

Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program - apply by September 21

HIV/AIDS Bureau


Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program - apply by October 6

AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Emergency Relief Funds (ERF) - apply by October 25

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program HIV Care Grant Program – Part B States/Territories Formula and AIDS Drug Assistance Program Formula and ADAP Supplemental Awards  - apply by November 8

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part B AIDS Drug Assistance Program Training and Technical Assistance - apply by November 22

Maternal and Child Health


Maternal and Child Health Services - apply by September 1


View All Funding Opportunities