Office of Rural Health Policy Programs and Priorities Nisha Patel, MA, CHES Director, Community-Based Division Office of Rural Health Policy Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration

What is Going on in Washington?

“Within the total amount requested for Rural Health activities, the Budget includes $73 million for a new "Improve Rural Health Care" Initiative to strengthen partnerships among rural health care providers, recruit and retain rural health care professionals, and modernize the health care infrastructure in rural areas.”

The Improving Rural Health Initiative: Key Elements  Health Workforce Recruitment and Retention  Building a Programmatic “Evidence-Base”  Telehealth/HIT Coordination  Cross Governmental Collaboration

Community-Based Division

Programs: Rural Health Outreach Rural Network Development Network Planning Delta Network Development Quality Improvement Rural Workforce Rural HIT Black Lung RESEP RAED 2010 Focus: Evaluation & Sustainability Economic Impact Analysis Tool Identify Best-Practice Models

Healthy Weight Collaborative What is it? Role of the Prevention Center for Healthy Weight How can you become involved? –Sharing of best practices Website will soon be available

Rural Health Network Planning Grant Activities: –Hire health information technology consultant –Develop a business, strategic, and/or operational plan –Conduct needs assessment –Develop economic community impact Dates: –RFP now available: –Applications due: Sep/Oct. –Start Date: March 1, 2011 –20 – 30 Awards –Award Amount: $85K Eileen Holloran:

Rural Health Network Development Grant Purpose : –Expand network infrastructure Integrate systems of care –Business, Strategic, and Sustainability Plan –Strengthen rural healthcare system Dates: –RFP Available: September, 2010 –Due Date: November, 2010 –Start Date: May 1 st, 2011 –15-20 Awards –Award Amounts: $180K/year Leticia Manning:

Rural Health Outreach Program Activities: –Direct health care services –Health fairs and screenings –Patient education –Provider education Due Dates: –RFP Available: Summer 2011 –Start Date: May, 2012 –Award Amounts: $150K (1 st year), $125K (2 nd year), $100K (3 rd year) Kathryn Umali:

Rural Health Outreach Grants* Rural Health Network Planning Grants Rural Health Network Development Grants Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grants * Rural Health Outreach Grants include Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant, Delta State Rural Development Network Grant and Frontier Extended Stay Clinic Cooperative Agreement.

Office for the Advancement of Telehealth  New Addition to ORHP …  Telehealth Network Grants  Telehealth Resource Centers  Licensure and Portability

Grants Technical Assistance Workshops in 2010 Targeting Key States  Wisconsin  Michigan  North Dakota  Pennsylvania Target Populations Regions served by  Historically Black Colleges and Universities  Border Communities  Tribal Communities

The Rural Voices Program  A Leadership Program for Grantees  30 Participants in 2010  Three-Day Meeting focusing on Key Policy Issues and Leadership Training  Will Continue in 2011 The 2009 Rural Voices class

Health Workforce Information Center Web site - Easy access to key information on over 50 workforce topics and 80 professions, including: –Events & training –Organizations –Funding –News and Updates –Resources HWIC Call Center – healthworkforceinfo.org

Tools and Resources Mental Health Evidence-Based Practices Web Site –Developed by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) –Includes filter for rural and/or frontier location

Rural Health Research Gateway Timely access to all of the research and findings of the ORHP-funded Rural Health Research Centers. Summaries of current and complete research projects

Contact Information: Nisha Patel, MA, CHES