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Greetings from the Virginia State Office of Rural Health!
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Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley
The Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley is
a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster, support, advocate for, and instruct adults in the New River Valley of Virginia who seek opportunities to achieve greater independence through literacy. Services are provided to help adults improve basic skills to achieve personal, employment, and civic goals through instruction in reading, writing, math, and GED preparation; English for Speakers of Other Languages and U.S. Citizenship test preparation; digital literacy; financial literacy; family literacy; and health literacy.
Powered by 150 volunteers and free for all participants, LVNRV’s core program is year-round one-to-one tutoring to help local adults overcome barriers and achieve their individual goals. In addition to tutoring, several special programs are held throughout the year; the Fall 2023 semester includes:
- Family READS (Reading and English to Achieve Dreams and Success)
- Skill Up VT and Skill Up BRP (partnerships with Virginia Tech and Blacksburg Refugee Partnership)
- Basic Computer Skills: digital literacy classes
- Be WELL NRV: a new health literacy program for English language learners
- English for Life: English language learning umbrella program
- GED to Go!: a new individualized online GED preparation program
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For more information and photos please visit the "Community Spotlight" section of the VA-SORH website.
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VA-SORH & Partner Updates |
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Save the date- National Rural Health Day is Thursday, November 16, 2023!
We’re excited to celebrate the Power of Rural on National Rural Health Day, November 16! Join us in recognizing the spirit of rural America and the efforts of healthcare providers and stakeholders addressing unique healthcare challenges.
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Get ready for the 2023 VA-SORH Photo Contest!
This annual competition launches next week on September 18th and closes October 20th.
The Virginia State Office of Rural Health (VA-SORH) Photo Contest is designed to showcase the beauty of rural Virginia. Each of Virginia’s rural communities is unique with its own personality and beautiful scenery. Submit a photo that represents what you love most about rural Virginia to the 2023 VA-SORH Photo Contest!
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Updates from the VDH Office of Epidemiology!
Vibrio are naturally occurring bacteria found in warm salt and brackish waters. Infections occur from eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, and from wounds. In Virginia, Vibrio infections most often occur from May to October when water temperatures are warmer but can occur any time of the year.
Stay out of salt water or brackish water if you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo). Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and salt water. It is often found where rivers meet the sea.
For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vibrio/index.html
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is announcing a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease. Twenty-seven cases of meningococcal disease, caused by the bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis type Y, have been reported in eastern, central, and southwest Virginia since June 2022. This development is three times the expected number of cases during this time period.
Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best protection against meningococcal disease.
For more information, please visit: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/meningococcal-disease-outbreak-response/
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Fiscal Year 2023 Rural Communities Opioid Response (RCORP) Programs Awards
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced more than $80 million in awards to rural communities in 39 states to support key strategies to respond to the overdose risk from fentanyl and other opioids. Two Virginia organizations received awards.
FY 2023 Overdose Response Award
- Starting Point of Virginia, P.C. of Danville, VA awarded $300,000
RCORP Evaluation
To evaluate the impact of the RCORP initiative and develop evaluation tools and resources for use in rural communities and to inform future rural health initiatives.
- Customer Value Partners, LLC of Fairfax, VA awarded $5,000,000
VDH Epidemiology- Influenza Sentinel Surveillance
Nomination Deadline: August 11, 2023
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is recruiting providers to participate in the influenza sentinel surveillance program for the 2023-24 flu season! If you are interested in being a sentinel surveillance (SS) provider, please reach out at flu@vdh.virginia.gov.
The flu season typically begins around MMWR week 40 (early October) with activity decreasing by MMWR week 20 (mid to late May). Each flu season, VDH partners with select outpatient, urgent care, long-term care facilities, federally qualified health centers, student health, pediatric facilities and emergency department providers to collect specimens from individuals with an influenza-like illness (ILI) symptom to test for influenza and further characterize the type and subtype of any positive influenza results. This surveillance effort allows VDH to determine which virus strains are circulating in Virginia, monitor for any novel strains within the community, and provide data for future vaccine formulation decisions.
The goal of the SS program is to receive at least 175 specimens per week across the state during the flu season
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RPHWTN Grantees Help Rural Healthcare Facilities Keep Local Talent
The FORHP Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network works to expand public health capacity in rural and tribal areas through job development, training, and placement. Three grantees — a career ladder program in Missouri, a respiratory therapy program in Texas, and a health IT program in Virginia — share stories of changing individuals' lives as well as keeping local talent in their healthcare facilities and communities.
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) and the Mountain Empire Rural Health Network (MERHN) used their RPHWTN grant to build workforce capacity in health IT data analytics. Students learn how to build and manage databases and how to use that information to inform a healthcare facility's decision-making. The online program is asynchronous, so students can watch the 10- to 15-minute recorded lectures and complete assignments when they have time.
Virginia Cooperative Extension in Greene, Madison, Orange, and Louisa Counties to host a Drinking Water Clinic
This program offers affordable water testing, interpretation of test results and information about maintenance of private water systems and dealing with water problems.
Kit pick up will be in late September from the extension offices and sample drop off will be the early morning (before 9 am) on September 27 at the Extension Office where you picked up your kit. The interpretation meeting will be held sometime in November (exact date TBD). To join the interest list, click here.
For a list of upcoming events in other Virginia counties, click here.
To download "Ten Tips For Managing Well Water," click here.
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The Rural Health Voice Conference
The Virginia Rural Health Association will host their annual Rural Health Voice Conference on November 15-16, 2023 in Blacksburg, VA. This event focuses on the opportunity for rural health stakeholders to hold in-depth conversations about how the issues in our communities can be addressed. Virginia State Health Commissioner, Dr. Karen Shelton will be a speaker at the event.
VRHA is now accepting applications for Poster Presentations from health and public policy students at the conference. All posters must have a Virginia perspective: either submitted by a student from Virginia, or by a student attending a Virginia school, or a poster topic on a Virginia issue. The deadline to submit an application is October 20, 2023. To access the application, click here.
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Rural Health Data Commons
The Rural Health Data Commons was created with the intention of bringing the VRHP to life. The purposes of the Rural Health Data Commons are to amplify the understanding of priority metrics and provide opportunities for a variety of audiences to explore current data insights in their region, communities or neighborhoods. Currently, the Rural Health Data Commons features the Virginia State Office of Rural Health’s seven priority metrics identified in the VRHP. These metrics aim to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the overall health and well-being of Virginia’s rural communities.
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National Rural Health Updates |
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US Dept. of Health and Human Services
Updated Medicare FFS Telehealth Trends
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services examines telehealth visits by Medicare beneficiaries from 2019 through 2021, including urban and rural residence, Health Professional Shortage Area, visit specialty, health conditions, and state.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Leadership Announcement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that Diane M. Hall, PhD, MSEd, has been selected to serve as the permanent director of the CDC Office of Rural Health. She has served as the Office's acting director since March of this year. As director, Dr. Hall will continue to lead and coordinate CDC's rural health work and strategy to strengthen the delivery of rural public health services across the U.S.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
FY 2024 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Final Rule
On August 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) final rule. The final rule updates Medicare fee-for-service payment rates and policies for inpatient hospitals and LTCHs for FY 2024. CMS is publishing this final rule to meet the legal requirements to update Medicare payment policies for IPPS hospitals and LTCHs on an annual basis. In this final rule, CMS is also finalizing policies to promote health equity and patient safety. This rule also finalizes the proposals presented in CMS-1788-P, which address the treatment of Section 1115 demonstration days in the calculation of Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments.
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Upcoming Meetings & Webinars |
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Funding Opportunities & Resources |
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Virginia Department of Health Workforce Incentive Programs
The Commonwealth of Virginia offers several incentive programs to attract health professionals to Virginia’s underserved areas. These programs not only assist with paying down outstanding medical education debt but also afford individuals an opportunity to become part of a community and provide care to deserving populations.
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3RNET Recruiting for Retention Academy
The Academy offers access to live webinars featuring national experts on clinician recruitment for rural and underserved areas. Six 90-minute sessions will take place every other week this fall from October 3 to December 12. The program is open to anyone with an interest in rural recruitment and retention, and is designed for safety net facilities such as Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Health Clinics.
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Virginia Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) Grant Program
Application Deadline: September 15, 2023
Applications are being accepted to receive one year of technical assistance beginning in November 2023. This program is designed to assist small rural hospitals and certified rural health clinics strengthen their foundation in key elements of value-based care including, but not limited to, efficiency, quality, patient experience, and safety of care.
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Virginia First Responder Naloxone Program
Application Deadline: Ongoing
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) is managing a First Responder Naloxone grant for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). The project goals are to increase access and distribution of naloxone to all first responders in the Commonwealth of Virginia, increase participation in the DBHDS REVIVE! training for first responders, and to increase the number of REVIVE! Trainers and Master Trainers. Please read below for information on No-Cost Naloxone Supplies, training to administer naloxone, and links to additional information/ resources.
Organizations eligible to receive FREE naloxone, supplies, and training include law enforcement organizations, courts, jails, correctional facilities, probation and parole, and non-EMS fire service agencies located in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Training and Mentoring
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Training to provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for clinicians in high-need communities. Clinicians who complete the training may be priority applicants for some NHSC loan repayment programs, and qualified disciplines can become eligible for the Loan Repayment Program Continuation Contract MOUD Award Enhancement.
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Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
Application Deadline: Ongoing
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
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American Electric Power Foundation Grants
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Supports nonprofits working in the areas of hunger, housing, health and safety, human services, education, social/racial equity, and the environment in American Electric Power's 11-state service area: Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Dispensary of Hope Dispensing Site Network
Application Deadline: Ongoing
A national collaborative led by a nonprofit medication distributor that sources donated medications to assist nonprofit health systems, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in serving their patient population, especially individuals experiencing poverty and those that are uninsured.
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows
Application Deadline: November 1, 2023
The annual fellowship starts with an immersive three-and-a-half-month orientation period, followed by placement working as a senior advisor to an elected or appointed federal government official. Individuals with diverse and unique perspectives are strongly encouraged to apply, and the foundation has an interest in rural.
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This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number 5H95RH00138 State Office of Rural Health. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Virginia State of Office of Rural Health
Virginia Department of Health Office of Health Equity
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