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Rural Virginia in Focus
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Strengthening Communities
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Funding for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part B.
On July 22, the Virginia Department of Health announced that it is distributing $6.6 million annually in state funding to support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part B.
The Virginia General Assembly played an essential part of this success by appropriating these funds to boost Virginia's statewide network of HIV care services. This investment will provide critical funding for HIV medical care and support services across the Commonwealth.
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Save the Date!
 National Rural Health Day 2026
We invite you to join us in celebrating the #PowerOfRural
on Thursday, November 19, 2026, as communities across the country come together for #NationalRuralHealthDay.
This annual celebration honors the spirit, resilience, and innovation of rural communities and the dedicated individuals who help ensure access to quality health care close to home.
Discover ways to get involved, share your support, and uplift rural health champions by visiting powerofrural.org.
Let’s celebrate the strength of rural America and the people who make it thrive.
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Policy Updates
Re-establishment of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS)
This federal advisory committee will provide recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on improving health care and human services in rural communities across the nation.
Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act
Sens. Kaine (D-VA) and Murkowski (R-AK) have introduced the Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act to help internationally educated health professionals overcome barriers to joining the U.S. workforce. The bill strengthens local and state partnerships to better connect these providers with needed resources.
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Funding Focus
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On July 8, 2026, HRSA released the FY 2027 ENS Funding Opportunity to increase access to nutrition services at HRSA-funded health centers. Note, there is no HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) application for this funding opportunity.
We encourage potential applicants to view the technical assistance (TA) webinar slides and the TA webinar recording. Please submit questions through the BPHC Contact Form. Under Funding, select Applications for Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), then Expanding Nutrition Services (ENS). Visit the ENS technical assistance webpage for more information.
Applications Due: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 11:59 pm
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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
Strengthen Your Rural Healthcare Workforce with Workforce+
Registration is now open for Workforce+, a professional certification program from NOSORH and Wintergreen designed specifically for workforce, human resources, administrative, and operational professionals in rural health care. Through live, interactive instruction, participants will gain practical, rural-focused strategies for recruiting, retaining, engaging, and developing a stronger workforce while earning a professional certification. The inaugural cohort begins on October 8, 2026.
Register by: October 2, 2026
NRHA Career Center
Take advantage of the job seeker account features 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 for over 300 different health care professions and specialties.
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VDH Resources
Virginia School and Day Care Minimum Immunization Requirements
Documentary proof of age‑appropriate immunization with the required number of vaccine doses must be provided for children attending public or private elementary, middle, or secondary schools, as well as childcare centers, nursery schools, family day care homes, or developmental centers. All vaccines must be administered according to the spacing and age guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
 The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Health Equity (VDH-OHE) offers solutions to assist communities in pinpointing specific factors contributing to poor health outcomes, empowering them to take proactive measures. This approach enables elected officials, policymakers, community leaders, and concerned residents in Virginia to implement effective strategies aimed at enhancing health outcomes across the state. VDH-OHE achieves this by integrating diverse health indicators into accessible maps and reports, contextualized within relevant geographic boundaries such as counties, census tracts, Virginia Health Districts, and rural and urban zones. This framework allows stakeholders to grasp the varying impacts on different regions within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Find Help and Public Health Services
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New VDH Community Relations Webpage
- Who We Are
- What We Do
- Health Topics A-Z
- How Do I
- VDH Programs
- Phone & Directions
Designed to help people:
- Understand public health.
- Find trusted community resources and services.
- Connect with VDH and the local health departments.
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Tick Identifier Resources
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The American Dog tick can be found throughout Virginia and can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can affect both humans and dogs. Although similar to the Gulf Coast tick, they can be distinguished by their short, rounded mouthparts.
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The Blacklegged tick, also called the deer tick, is a tick of major public health importance for spreading Lyme Disease in Virginia and the Eastern U.S. The male ticks are dark brown or black in color and resemble a small watermelon seed. The females are red-brown behind their black scutum (shield) that is just behind their head (on the tick’s back).
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The Lone Star tick can be found throughout Virginia but usually lives in areas below 1,600 ft. in elevation. This tick is an aggressive biter and has the potential to transmit serious diseases such as ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and can cause Alpha-gal Syndrome. The adult female is best recognized by a white dot, or “lone star,” on the center of her back.
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New Resource
RHIhub- Rural Healthy Aging Toolkit
The toolkit’s seven modules offer evidence‑based and emerging strategies to help organizations design, implement, evaluate, and sustain healthy aging programs in rural communities. For additional guidance on broader community health approaches, explore the Rural Community Health Toolkit.
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Voices of Rural Health
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Undue Medical Debt
Most of us have heard of Medical Debt – but what is Undue Medical Debt? Dr. Eva Stahl of the Undue Medical Debt organization joined RHV to discuss what they are doing to help both patients and healthcare providers deal with medical debt.
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Bridge to Care - Strengthening Opioid Recovery
The most important part of recovery may begin before a patient ever leaves the hospital. In this conversation, Heidi Bray, DNP, nurse practitioner and hospitalist at Providence St. Peter Hospital, explores how hospitals can improve opioid use disorder treatment through stronger discharge planning, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and better connections to community care. She also highlights the challenges rural patients face and the innovative work of the Bridge to Care Collaborative to ensure recovery continues beyond the hospital walls.
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Five Questions With Anna Riggan, M.S.
As part of ACU’s Five Questions With… spotlight series, we’re highlighting the dedicated ACU Members whose leadership and lived experience help advance compassionate, community-centered care. This series offers a closer look at the people behind the work, what motivates them, what they’ve learned, and why serving communities with the greatest need remains at the heart of their careers.
In this edition, we’re pleased to feature Anna Riggan, M.S., Acting Primary Care Office Director and Shortage Designation Manager with the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity. Anna has worked in the Primary Care Office (PCO) space since 2014 and became Acting Director of Virginia’s PCO in late 2024. A member of ACU since 2022, she has also served in national leadership roles with the PCO National Committee, including Vice Chair in 2022 and Chair in 2023. Through her work, Anna helps strengthen healthcare access by supporting workforce planning, shortage designation efforts, and collaboration across the Primary Care Office community.
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Training & Events
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2026 Healthy Grants Workshop
This is the final session.
August 12, 2026, 1 pm - 4 pm ET
The 2026 Healthy Grants Workshop is 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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NARHC Webinars & Education Center
The National Association of Rural Health Clinics hosts various types of webinars for the RHC community, keeping them up to date with the latest regulations, best practices, and new opportunities. Whether new to the RHC world or a career-long professional, everyone is likely to benefit from this education.
Upcoming Webinar:
Top Provider Enrollment Mistakes in Rural Primary Care & Behavorial Health- and How to Fix Them
August 31, 2026, 2 pm ET
You must register in advance for this free webinar.
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Critical Access Hospital Conference
Kansas City, MO
September 16 - 18, 2026
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.
Register by August 25, 2026
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NEXEO 2026
Abingdon, Virginia
October 1, 2026
nexEO brings together bold thinkers, frontline leaders, and decision-makers who care about the future of our region and the work it takes to move it forward. We’re gathering this year to reflect on the progress happening across our communities, hear from an inspirational keynote speaker, and celebrate the people, organizations, and partnerships making that progress possible.
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Recruiting with Precision: Modern Marketing Strategies to Attract Mission-Aligned Healthcare Talent
2026 Academy Dates
All webinars are LIVE, 2:30 PM EST, 75-90 minutes. FREE by VASORH with code: VIRGINIASORH!
Oct 6, 2026
Session 1: Reintroducing the Recruiting for Retention Hierarchy in Today’s Market
Oct 20, 2026
Session 2: Marketing Rural Practice in a Hybrid & Telehealth Era
Nov 3, 2026
Session 3: Compensation Transparency, Loan Repayment, and Total Rewards Messaging
Nov 17, 2026
Session 4: Scope of Practice, Team-Based Care & Burnout-Proof Messaging
Dec 1, 2026
Session 5: Digital Recruitment Ecosystem: From Social Media to Passive Candidate Outreach
Dec 15, 2026
Session 6: Integration Lab: Building a 12-Month Strategic Recruitment Marketing Plan
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Virginia Health Catalyst- 2026 Catalyst Annual Summit
Richmond, Virginia
October 13, 2026
Registration is open for the 2026 Catalyst Annual Summit! This year’s theme, Advancing Whole-Person Health Together, explores how to expand access, sustain impact, and strengthen the capacity needed to keep Virginia moving forward.
Join community leaders, health professionals, advocates, policymakers, and emerging changemakers.
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The 2026 Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity
Lexington, Virginia
October 14-15, 2026
One of Virginia’s most influential annual gatherings of rural leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders ready to shape what’s next for rural Virginia.
Registration also includes a welcome reception on Wednesday evening.
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VRHA Critical Access Conference
Danville, VA
November 18-19, 2026
The Rural Health Voice Conference creates a space for stakeholders to discuss practical solutions to the challenges faced by rural health communities. The event highlights that rural health is shaped not only by medical care but also by education, transportation, economic development, the built environment, and social connections. Every part of a community can either support or hinder health, making collaboration across sectors essential.
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Healthy Living Spotlight
Preventing Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases remain one of the leading health challenges for Virginians, but many of the most common conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, are preventable. According to the CDC, most chronic diseases stem from a small group of risk factors, including tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use. Taking small, consistent steps today can significantly improve long‑term health and well‑being.
Healthy Actions You Can Start Now:
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Quit smoking to lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and lung disease; free support is available at 1‑800‑QUIT‑NOW .
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Choose balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats while limiting added sugars and processed foods .
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Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, such as brisk walking or gardening.
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Limit alcohol to reduce risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and liver disease.
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Stay up‑to‑date on preventive screenings and dental visits to catch issues early and support lifelong health.
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Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night to support heart health, weight management, and mental well‑being.
Visit the CDC’s full resource page for more guidance on preventing chronic disease and supporting healthier communities across Virginia.
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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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