Expanding Community-Based Efforts to COVID-19 Vaccinations, Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, and more

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

 November 18, 2021

Today is National Rural Health Day!

rural health day graphic

Today, we celebrate the “power of rural” and highlight our work to increase equitable access to health care for rural communities across the nation.

View our video wall and join us today, Thursday, November 18, 3 p.m. ET, for a virtual presentation by HRSA grantees to learn about HRSA-funded projects and best practices for achieving health equity. 

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit our National Rural Health Day webpage.

Read the Presidential Proclamation.


HHS Announces $143.5 Million to Expand Community-Based Efforts to Address Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination

group of folks with bandaids on their arms

November 10 - The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced $143.5 million in American Rescue Plan funding to expand community-based efforts to conduct tailored local outreach about vaccines, build vaccine confidence and address barriers to vaccination in their communities.

“Today’s investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued efforts to leverage trusted local messengers and support community-based efforts to vaccinate more Americans against COVID-19,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “We have seen great progress in vaccination rates in recent months, but we know our work isn’t done in addressing misinformation and ensuring equitable access in underserved communities.”

Read the release.


HRSA to Commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1

world aids day graphic

Please join our 2021 World AIDS Day Virtual Event on Wednesday, December 1, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET. The event will highlight stories from people with lived experience through storytelling and artistic expression. The event is open to all HRSA recipients, subrecipients, stakeholders, and federal employees.

@HRSAgov will also post social media messages that acknowledge World AIDS Day using #HRSAHonorsWAD. We encourage you to like, retweet, and repost to your organization’s social media channels. Please also consider posting messages and photos using #HRSAHonorsWAD, - or asking your partners to post. Messages can highlight or relate to the 2021 World AIDS Day theme, Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice.


HRSA’s Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program Now Open

nurse

The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program offers funding toward payment of qualifying educational loans to:

  • Registered nurses
  • Advanced practice registered nurses
  • Nurse faculty

If you receive an award, you must work two years in:

  • A critical shortage facility
  • An eligible nursing school, as nurse faculty

Additional loan repayment is available for a third year of service. To learn more and receive assistance with your application, join our technical assistance webinar on Thursday, December 9, 2:30–4 p.m. ET.

Application Due Date: Thursday, January 13, 7:30 p.m. ET.


Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program: Apply Now through December 15

smiling group of health care professionals

The application period is now open for technical assistance support under the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program.

Funding will support eligible health care organizations in the Delta region, including Rural Health Clinics, with:

  • quality improvement
  • financial and operational improvement
  • telehealth
  • community care coordination
  • workforce
  • emergency medical services
  • population health

Application Due Date: Wednesday, December 15.


How States are Supporting Telehealth, Technology, and Data Infrastructure

hospital staff with doctor

Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act gives states an opportunity to receive a 10% increase in the federal medical assistance program for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) through Thursday, March 31. States submitted spending plans to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for review and most states have received approval or partial approval from CMS.

The National Academy for State Health Policy map shows how states are using these one-time funds to support telehealth service delivery, technology-based innovations, and data infrastructure building opportunities to address longstanding technological challenges with HCBS populations.

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


North Dakota’s Use of 1915(i) to Provide Supportive Services to People with Behavioral Health Conditions in Rural Areas

counseling services

State Medicaid agencies recognize that meeting beneficiaries’ social needs is important to improving overall health outcomes, especially for individuals with chronic health or behavioral health conditions. A few states, such as North Dakota, have begun to leverage federal Medicaid’s 1915(i) state plan authority to meet the social needs of people with behavioral health conditions.

The National Academy for State Health Policy case study explains how North Dakota focused its program on beneficiaries with behavioral health conditions, seeking to address priority social needs (including housing) and incorporating policies designed to meet the challenges of program members living in rural areas.

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


Nevada’s Home-Based Oral Health Program

kid smilling

The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified existing restrictions in access to dental care in the United States. Before the pandemic, dental care for children represented a significant unmet health need; the pandemic worsened health care disparities for disadvantaged youth. 

The National Academy for State Health Policy case study shows how the Nevada Action Network pilot program addresses concerns for the oral health of school-aged children by allowing parental caregivers to apply fluoride varnish to their child’s teeth with virtual instruction from a licensed dental provider.

HRSA's National Organizations of State and Local Officials Cooperative Agreement provided support for this case study.


image of a calendar

November

  • Veterans Day (11) 
  • National Rural Health Day (18) 
  • Thanksgiving (25) 

Funding Opportunities

 

Health Centers


Fiscal Year 2022 Ending the HIV Epidemic – Primary Care HIV Prevention - apply by December 14

Fiscal Year 2022 Health Center Controlled Networks - apply by January 4

Health Workforce


National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – apply by December 2

Primary Care Training and Enhancement - Physician Assistant Rural Training (PCTE-PAR) Program - apply by December 9

Graduate Psychology Education Program - apply by December 9

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs – apply by December 16

Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) - apply by January 13

Centers of Excellence (COE) - apply by January 31

Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities - apply by January 31

Predoctoral Training in General, Pediatric, and Public Health Dentistry and Dental Hygiene - apply by February 7

State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) - apply by April 8

Health Systems


Community-Based Workforce to Build COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence - apply by December 10

HIV/AIDS Bureau


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

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Early Intervention Services Program: Limited Existing Geographic Service Areas - apply by December 10

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Early Intervention Services Program: New Geographic Service Areas - apply by December 10

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Access, Care, and Engagement Technical Assistance Center (ACE TA Center) - apply by January 21

Emerging Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes for People Aging with HIV: Capacity-Building Provider - apply by January 25

Emerging Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes for People Aging with HIV: Evaluation Provider - apply by January 25 

Emerging Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes for People Aging with HIV: Demonstration Sites - apply by January 25

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part D Coordinated HIV Services and Access to Research for Women, Infants, Children, and Youth (WICY) Existing Geographic Service Areas - apply by January 28

Maternal and Child Health


Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Innovation Award – General Data/Technology Innovations (Track One) - apply by November 26

ARP Act Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Innovation Award – COVID-19 Related Data/Technology Innovations (Track Two) - apply by November 26

Family-to-Family Health Information Centers - apply by January 5

Emergency Medical Services for Children Data Center - apply by January 18

Regional Hemophilia Network - apply by January 24

National Hemophilia Program Coordinating Center - apply by January 24

Maternal and Child Health Secondary Data Analysis Research (MCH SDAR) - apply by January 26

Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Program - apply by February 1

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Prevention - apply by February 3

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy


Rural Veterans Health Access Program - apply by December 10

Rural Residency Planning and Development Program - apply by December 20

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Implementation - apply by January 13

Delta Region Rural Health Workforce Training Program - apply by January 25

Rural Health Network Development Planning Program - apply by January 28


View All Funding Opportunities