The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) www.ncdhhs.gov through their Office of Rural Health and Community Care (ORHCC) www.ncdhhs.gov/orhcc released a grant notice October 8, 2014 under their “2014-2015 Rural Health Center Program-Innovation Project” to continue support for state-designated rural health centers.
ORHCC develops innovative strategies to improve access, quality, and cost-effectiveness within underserved and rural communities. Rural health centers due to the fact that most primary care providers in the state are located in or near cities and larger towns, serve as a safety net for the state’s rural and underserved residents.
Grants will be awarded for two different tracks—Track A and Track B. Grant awards for Track A will be used transform practices into a National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home.
Track B funding will be used to create and implement a sustainable technological infrastructure that may include technological, administrative and clinical innovations to sustain primary medical care delivery models through the adoption of EHR technology and connect to the North Carolina Health Information Exchange (NCHIE).
Eligible applicants can include state-designated rural health centers that are 501(c) (3) non-profit primary care organizations currently funded in SFY 2014-2015 under the Rural Health Center Operations Medical Access Plan grant program.
The deadline for submission is April 1, 2015 with funding available through May 31, 2015. The maximum total grant award is dependent upon the needs at the Rural Health Center and the availability of funds.
For more information, go to www.ncdhhs.gov/grantopportunities/currentopportunities.htm. Questions can be directed to Andrea Murphy andrea.murphy@dhhs.nc.gov or call 919-527-6448.