The State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) Grant Program announcement posted March 15, 2013 is limited to the current 50 SORHs. The funding is expected to be $9,000,000 and will be used to assist States in strengthening rural healthcare delivery systems by maintaining a focal point for rural health within each State.
The SORHs maintain a clearinghouse for collecting and disseminating information on rural healthcare issues and research findings related to rural healthcare and innovative approaches needed to deliver healthcare in rural areas. In addition, SORHs identify Federal, State, and nongovernmental programs regarding rural health and provide technical assistance to public and nonprofit private entities that want to participate.
In nearly all the states, the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Flex program is based in the SORH offices. The SORHs support quality improvement networks, loan repayment programs, annual rural health conferences, technical assistance for grant writing, and support rural health clinics and emergency services.
The FOA (HRSA-13-162) is due May 13, 2013 with the project period expected to be three years. For more information, go to www.grants.gov or email Keith Mulberry at kmidberry@hrsa.gov.