Rural Health Center Support Grant SFY 2019-2020

DHHS Division/Office issuing this notice: Office of Rural Health
Date of this notice: March 14, 2019
Working Title of the funding program: Rural Health Centers Support: Medical Access Plan, Innovation, and Planning and Implementation Grants
Purpose and Description:
The purpose of grants awarded under this program is to support state-designated rural health centers. NC 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, find accessing primary care services difficult. Through the establishment of rural health centers, NC ORH enables local communities to provide access to their underserved populations who would otherwise be unable to receive needed primary care services due to geographic, economic, or other barriers. Thus, rural health centers have become an integral part of the health care safety net for North Carolina’s rural and underserved residents. The SFY 2020 RFA supports developing sustainable models of care as well as partnering with community-based organizations to ensure access to transportation, food, housing and personal violence resources.

North Carolina received approval of its Medicaid 1115 Waiver and transformation. NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) has developed tools to support the development and implementation of the Waiver and assist communities in improving health, not just paying for health care. Healthy Opportunities are the foundation for Medicaid Transformation.

For that reason, the application encourages the implementation of a variety of strategies that align with transformation including:

Healthy Opportunities Screening
Telehealth (including Telepsychiatry) and Integrated Care
Opioid Disorder Treatment
Incorporating Community Health Workers into the care setting

As a new requirement for this application cycle, each applicant will be required to participate in a practice assessment coordinated and/or funded by NC ORH prior to October 1, 2019. It is not required prior to funding but completion is required prior to October 1, 2019.

Funding Opportunities:

Medical Access Planning (MAP) and Project Grants: Awards will be granted until all funding has been obligated. For July 1, 2019 effective date, all grant applications must be received via electronic survey by March 29, 2019.

MAP Grant- Award date: 7/1/2019

Application Closing Date and Submission Instructions: Grant applications must be received via electronic survey by March 29, 2019.

Project Grants - Award date: 7/1/2019

Grant Application Closing and Submission Instructions: Grant applications must be received via electronic survey by March 29, 2019.
All electronic applications and questions regarding the application should be sent to your assigned NC ORH Regional Field Staff. Incomplete applications and applications not completed in accordance with the instructions provided below will not be reviewed.

How to Apply:

You must submit your application through the online survey tool found here: Online Survey Link
Applicants are encouraged to download the Word version of the RFA for reference when entering into the survey. Additionally, an Excel budget template may be downloaded and uploaded through the survey.
Word Version of RFA and Application
Excel Budget Template

How to Obtain Further Information:
Andrea Murphy, 919 527-6448, andrea.murphy@dhhs.nc.gov
Maggie Sauer, 919 527-6450, maggie.sauer@dhhs.nc.gov