The Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) is pleased to announce the release of the FY 2013 Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program (announcement number: HRSA-13-153).  This one-year grant provides an opportunity for rural communities to bring together key parts of a rural health care delivery system, particularly those entities that may not have collaborated in the past, to work together to establish or improve local capacity and coordination of care.  Grantees will use their funds to lay out the foundation of a community health project by convening collaborating partners to conduct planning activities.  Grantees may also use the funds to develop and assist healthcare networks establish and/or become operational.
(more…)

The information pertains to grant opportunities for telephone and data connection funding for Rural Health Clinics.  The USDA is working with the USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company).  The USAC has begun the new funding year for the telephone and data connection piece for the Rural Health Clinics beginning July 2, 2012.  The application process, submission of funding request and training and reference portal may be found in greater detail at http://www.usac.org/rhc/tools/news/default.aspx#604.  On the left side of the page is a wealth of information concerning how to get started, who is eligible to apply, trainings, and the Rural Health Care Pilot Program in general.  The Getting Started link under the ABOUT THE PROGRAM covers all the information that you are inquiring about.

Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) is seeking Mini Grant applications in four separate funding areas.

Mini Grants are available in the Community Health & Prevention, Services Delivery, Systems Development – Health Literacy and Health Policy areas. These grants are designed to assist targeted, short-term projects that address specific objectives within MFH’s strategic framework.

Click on the links above for more information on the Mini Grant program and to apply online.  Applications are accepted until April 5, 2012 in all of the areas except Health Policy – that deadline to apply is October 31, 2012.

Are you aware of networks in your state that are planning to apply for the Health Information Technology (HIT) Network Development Grant? If so, please share with them a great resource developed by the National Rural Health Resource Center to assist in assessing their HIT readiness as a network. http://www.ruralcenter.org/tasc/resources/health-information-technology-network-readiness-assessment

The HIT Network Readiness Assessment Tool was created by the National Rural Health Resource Center (The Center) because we recognize that building a HIT network is a complex and time-consuming task. Network leaders must think through intricate organizational issues around leadership, finance, planning, member engagement and decision making. In an effort to move HIT networks down the learning curve faster, this tool can be used to assess the organizational strengths and weaknesses and target the network’s technical assistance needs. It is intended to be used as a self-assessment instrument that network leaders and members can use to identify areas needing attention.

If you have any questions on the tool, please contact Terry Hill 218-727-9390 ext. 232 or Sally Trnka 218-727-9390 ext. 233.

View the assessment tool below: