Office of Rural Health: Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Confidence (RHCVC) Program has Posted!

Dear WA State RHCs,

 I received this information today from the HRSA Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Testing Program Team and want to pass it on to you as it is important and time-sensitive. You may have already received the announcement noted below but I want to ensure that you have this information.

 Wishing you the best,

Sigrid 

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On May 4, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) announced the availability of nearly $1 billion to strengthen COVID-19 response efforts and increase vaccinations in rural communities.

This program will make nearly $100 million available in grants to eligible RHCs nationwide to address health equity gaps by offering support and resources to medically underserved rural communities where COVID-19 vaccine uptake lags in comparison to more populated areas. HRSA will fund all eligible RHCs that have a complete and acceptable application.

 Interested RHCs should immediately begin the process of registering to apply for a HRSA Grant by starting the three-step registration:

 

1. Grants.gov registration.
2. DUNS registration;
3. System for Award Management (SAM) registration; and

 

The application deadline is June 23, 2021.The full registration process can take time to complete so start now. To support entities impacted by COVID-19, applicants are not required to have an active SAM (System of Award Management) registration at the time of submission of the application for this program. If not registered at time of award, HRSA will require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier (i.e., DUNS) and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the federal award date.

 For some grants, FORHP requires that applicants be located in an eligible rural area. This RHC program DOES NOT have any rural area location requirements. If you are an active Medicare-certified RHC, you are eligible for this program as long as you follow the program participation requirements.

 FORHP will hold a webinar for applicants on:

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., ET.  Zoom Link: https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1604108840 Dial-in: 833 568 8864 Webinar ID: 160 410 8840

Both webinar sessions have the same webinar link, call-in number, webinar/participant ID and content.  A recording will be made available after the webinar for those who cannot attend.

 View on Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333783

 Please join the RHC Vaccine Confidence Program mailing list for additional program announcements and updates by clicking here. 

 For additional questions: RHCVaxConfidence@hrsa.gov.