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July Newsletter
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Rural Virginia in Focus
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Strengthening Rural Communities
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Supporting Rural Virginians on the Journey to Quit Tobacco
Rural communities often face higher smoking rates, but that doesn’t mean quitting has to be harder. Quit Now Virginia offers free, confidential help designed to meet you right where you are for Virginia residents 13 and over!
Whether you smoke, vape, or use smokeless tobacco, you can get guidance and coaching. You don’t have to travel far or do it alone. Real support is available from home, on your schedule. A healthier future is possible, and it can start today.
Start your journey today: 1‑800‑QUIT‑NOW
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Rural Partner Spotlight
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Food Is Medicine: New Community Food Locker Serves Suffolk Residents
Access to nutritious food is essential to improving health outcomes, and Sentara Obici Hospital is helping address food insecurity in Western Tidewater through an innovative community partnership. In collaboration with the Suffolk Christian Fellowship Center, the hospital has installed a 24/7 refrigerated community food locker that provides free, healthy food to patients and community members experiencing food insecurity. The initiative supports Sentara's commitment to addressing social drivers of health by offering convenient, barrier-free access to nutritious foods while connecting individuals with community resources. Learn how this collaborative approach is improving access to healthy food and strengthening community health in rural Virginia.
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Policy Updates
Nursing Workforce Incentive Programs Transitions from the Virginia Department of Health to Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority
Virginia's Nursing Workforce Incentive Programs will transition from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority's (VHWDA) Virginia Nursing Workforce Center, following the passage of Senate Bill 405 signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger on March 31, 2026. The transition is designed to strengthen coordination of Virginia's nursing scholarship, loan repayment, and workforce incentive programs while supporting long-term workforce planning across the Commonwealth. Healthcare organizations, nursing professionals, and prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center for the latest program information, application guidance, and future funding opportunities.
Virginia Creates First-Ever Farm & Forest Prosperity Plan
Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed bipartisan legislation establishing Virginia's first-ever Farm & Forest Prosperity Plan, a comprehensive strategy designed to strengthen the Commonwealth's agriculture and forestry industries. The initiative directs the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to develop a long-term roadmap focused on expanding market opportunities, supporting producers, and enhancing the economic vitality of these critical sectors. Additional legislation signed alongside the plan includes measures to support Virginia's beef industry and encourage K–12 schools to purchase more fresh, locally grown foods. These efforts underscore the important role agriculture and forestry play in sustaining Virginia's rural communities and economy. Learn more by reading the Governor's full announcement.
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Funding Focus
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Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3)
The Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offer funding to support community-based organizations to develop produce prescription intervention programs that promote access to healthy foods for pregnant and postpartum women and their families in low-income rural and urban areas.
Application Deadline: Jul 17, 2026
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Screening and Treatment for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (MMHSUD)
The Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offer funding that give obstetric, primary care, and other maternal health providers quick access to expert consultation, training, and care coordination support. The program is designed to reduce barriers to care, with a focus on rural communities, tribal communities, and areas with shortages of health professionals.
Application Deadline: Jul 17, 2026
The Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program
Provides direct financial assistance to eligible rural hospitals facing structural payment disadvantages for the maintenance of health care providers with the goal of maintaining essential health care services and preventing avoidable closures. Eligibility for this program is based on methodology outlined in a Federal Register Notice. Eligible rural hospitals must have no more than 50 acute care inpatient beds, an established Medicare wage index value below 0.90, and be located in a HRSA-designated rural area.
Application Deadline: July 27, 2026.
Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture grants to develop and expand existing farm to school initiatives and other food and learning initiatives with the overall goal of increasing knowledge of agriculture and improving the nutritional health of children.
Application Deadline: Jul 20, 2026
New HHS Funding available for Behavioral Health, Mental Health, and Recovery Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced more than $700 million in new behavioral health funding opportunities to strengthen services addressing mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness. The funding includes a new $96 million Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Support (STREETS) program, along with additional investments to expand Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), enhance the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and support other community-based behavioral health initiatives.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
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Workforce Corner
NRHA Career Center
Take advantage of our job seeker account features below to help you do your research, find the right job opportunity, and get your experience and skill set in front of your ideal employer.
3RNET
The Nation’s Most Trusted Resource for Health Professionals Seeking
Careers in Rural and Underserved Communities. It is the job board when it comes to rural and underserved opportunities for over 300 different health care professions & specialties.
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VDH Resources
VDH Measles Information Hub
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Measles Information Hub provides timely, evidence-based resources to help healthcare providers, public health professionals, and communities prepare for and respond to measles cases. Rural healthcare partners can access:
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Current Virginia measles updates and case information
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Clinical guidance for healthcare providers, including diagnosis and patient management
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Vaccination recommendations and immunization resources
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Testing and reporting guidance for suspected measles cases
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Exposure response information for healthcare settings and the public
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Patient education materials and frequently asked questions
- Resources for schools, childcare providers, and community partners
Visit the VDH Measles Information Hub to access these tools and help protect the health of your patients and communities.
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Resources
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NRHA introduces resources on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)
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A directory of RHTP state contacts to provide you with a list of RHTP contacts for each state.
- A calendar with upcoming funding deadlines for each state in order to track state funding opportunities.
- A map to provide a visualization of where states are in terms of their roll out process of RHTP Year One funding.
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Voices of Rural Health
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Local Perspective: Why would you need an occupational therapist?
Savanah Howe and Tara Riddle joined the RHV podcast to discuss the need for occupational therapy in rural communities and the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association.
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National Perspective: A Rural Solution to the Geriatric Mental Health Crisis
One of the biggest healthcare challenges of the next decade may already be here: caring for the mental health needs of older adults. In this conversation, leaders from Cottage Hospital and Sharon Hospital (part of Northwell Health) share how specialized geriatric behavioral health programs are helping older adults receive compassionate, comprehensive mental health care close to home. Learn why investing in senior behavioral health is becoming increasingly important for hospitals, caregivers and communities alike.
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Transforming Rural Health: RHTP and Value-Based Payment
Dr. Keith Mueller from Rural Health Value will provide an overview of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) activities linked to value-based payment arrangements in rural communities. The session will include key considerations for the design of Value-Based Payment (VBP) models in rural, and strategies for preparing rural providers, including primary care providers and clinics, to operate successfully in value-based payment environments. Rural Health Value will also highlight relevant resources that may support states in this work.
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Training & Events
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Registration Open for HRSA’s 2026 Healthy Grants Workshop
The final sessions will take place on the following dates:
- July 15, 2026, 1pm - 4pm ET
- August 12, 2026, 1pm-4pm ET
Registration is open for HRSA’s 2026 Healthy Grants Workshop a free, workshop series designed to help HRSA grant recipients successfully manage their awards.
The workshop is organized into two tracks:
- “New Recipients/Refresher” for recipients new to HRSA grant management; and,
- An “Advanced” track for experienced recipients seeking more in-depth practices and insights.
Participants are welcome to attend both tracks and may join as many sessions as they like. Each session covers two topics such as grants administration, budgeting, allowable costs, and more.
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3RNET National Conference for the Future of Family Medicine
Join us in Kansas City, MO this summer!
July 30 – August 1, 2026
This is your biggest in-person marketing opportunity of the year with 3RNET. 3RNET makes it easy for you to show up and shine!
When you join us at FUTURE, you’re putting your state directly in front of family medicine residents and students who are actively planning their careers.
This is your chance to build relationships, spark interest, and grow your candidate pipeline face-to-face!
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Critical Access Conference
Kansas City, MO
September 16 - 18, 2026, Registration opens in May.
This is your chance to take advantage of over 40 educational and networking opportunities designed for clinic and hospital professionals and board members serving rural America.
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Virginia Healthy Living
Stay Safe Around the Water This Summer
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Virginia’s pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches—but water safety should always come first. The Virginia Department of Health’s Swim Healthy Virginia program offers resources to help individuals and families prevent drowning, practice safe swimming habits, and enjoy recreational water safely.
Whether you're visiting a local swimming hole, community pool, or the Chesapeake Bay, learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones with tips on water safety, healthy swimming, and drowning prevention.
Summer Safety Tips
As we enter the warm summer months, there are many exciting events that bring us outdoors to enjoy great food, fun and sun! That’s why it’s important to remember these safety tips when enjoying all the festivities that the summer has to offer.
- Extreme Heat and Heat-Related Illness
- Food Safety
- Swim Safety
- Fourth of July Safety
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Follow Us!
"Like" us on Facebook and visit our website to receive updates on Virginia rural health issues and important messages from our community partners.
Visit the VA-SORH Facebook Page | Visit our VA-SORH Website
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