Rural Health Center Special Projects Grant

RFA Title: Rural Health Centers Special Projects Grant

Open: September 18, 2023

Close: October 20, 2023

Funding Agency Name: North Carolina Office of Rural Health (ORH)

Funding Agency Address: 311 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC  27603

HOW TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION: Questions regarding the application can be sent to Kimberly.r.mcneil@dhhs.nc.gov or you may reach out to your regional operations specialist based on the appropriate NC Medicaid Region.

SPECIAL PROJECTS TA SESSION INFORMATION
Date: Tuesday October 10, 2023 Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Register Here: Special Projects TA Session Registration

Contact Information:

Kim McNeil, Rural Health Operations Specialist - Regions 4 & 6   
Kimberly.r.mcneil@dhhs.nc.gov  

Beth Blaise, Rural Health Operations Specialist - Regions 3 & 5 
Beth.blaise@dhhs.nc.gov

Justin Kearley, Rural Health Operations Specialist - Regions 1 & 2 
Justin.kearley@dhhs.nc.gov

Dorothea Brock, Program Manager 
Dorothea.Brock@dhhs.nc.gov 

Description

ORH assists underserved communities and populations with developing innovative strategies for improving access, quality, and cost-effectiveness of health care. Distribution of primary care providers in North Carolina has historically been skewed toward cities and larger towns. Rural residents, who often face transportation issues, may find accessing primary care services difficult. Through the establishment of the Special Project funding, ORH partners with local communities to provide funding to improve the ability to serve under-resourced, Medicaid and Medicare populations who would otherwise be unable to access needed primary care services due to geographic, economic, or other barriers.  The purpose of grants awarded under this special project funding is to help healthcare facilities increase access to care in rural communities with a primary focus on the following:

  • primary and behavioral healthcare services,
  • improved clinical quality measures (a1c, smoking cessation, blood pressure, depression, BMI),
  • use of social determinants of health screening tools to support non-clinical improvements to health,
  • Non-profit CMS Rural Health Clinics are encouraged to apply.

For organizations currently receiving grant funding through ORH, Special Project funding should not duplicate Community Health, Farmworker Health, or SDRHC grant funded operating projects.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for these funds, your organization must meet the following criteria:

  • Rural determination
  • Health Professional Shortage Area determination
  • Unmet need as a percentage of population served (number of uninsured, self-pay, and Medicaid)
  • Provision of primary health care services to all individuals in the defined service area regardless of ability to pay.
  • County Distress Ranking – Tier 1 or 2 (priority to eligible organizations)
  • Proof that the organization holds an active 501 c3 Status.
  • Ability to provide access to primary health care services to all individuals in the defined service area regardless of ability to pay.
  • Enrolled eligible providers in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement program.

The total grant award is dependent upon documented and demonstrated need at the organization and is contingent upon funding availability.

Application and Submission Instructions

Please read the following grant instructions and requirements carefully.  Applications that do not adhere to all instructions and requirements will not be considered.

Applicants must submit their application electronically through an online REDCap survey. There is a two-step process to receive a personalized link to the application. The link below will request information about your organization and a contact person. The contact person will then be sent a personalized link to apply to the Rural Health Centers Special Projects Grant RFA.

Grant applications must be received via electronic survey by 5:00 p.m. October 20, 2023. 

Click the link below and provide your contact information to receive a personalized link to the application:  https://ncorh.ncdhhs.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=DHK7KH4T9HYE7A3F 

Requirements

  • Requests should explain how the special funding will help increase access to care (primary, behavioral), improve clinical quality measures, and/or impact social determinants of health among their patient population.
  • If not presently holding a SDRHC status, the primary care site expresses a desire to obtain SDRHC status.
  • Current ORH grantees’ requests should not duplicate Community Health, Farmworker Health, or State Designated Rural Health Center operating grant funding.
  • Applicants are required to report any changes in the project or proposed activities to their contract monitor.
  • Applicants are required to participate in quarterly audit activities, as appropriate.
  • The proposed project may require completion of or modification to an AHEC Action Plan.
  • Proposed projects must be billed and/or completed by June 30, 2024.
  • Monthly Expenditure Report (MER) and supporting documentation must be submitted by the 10th of the following month.

Timeline  

1. Application Review 
Within 10 business days, applicants will receive notification of funding decision.

2. Finalize Process

  • Approved organizations will receive SFY 2024 contracts electronically.
  • The electronic contract requires the digital signature of a person who is officially designated to sign legal documents on behalf of the applicant organization.

3. Applicants are required to submit closeout supporting documentation and expend all funds on or before June 30, 2024. Purchases made after June 30, 2024, will not be reimbursed.  All invoices for the completed and projected work must be submitted to ORH for reimbursement no later than June 10, 2024.

Documents