HRSA https://www.hrsa.gov recently posted the funding notice Rural Health Network Development Planning Program (HRSA-21-021). The purpose for the Network Planning Grants Program is to promote the development of integrated healthcare network.
Goals are to 1) achieve efficiencies 2) expand access, coordination, and improve the quality of basic healthcare services, and 3) strengthen the rural healthcare system as a whole.
An integrated healthcare network is an organizational arrangement of at least 3 regional or local healthcare organizations that come together to develop strategies to improve health services delivery systems in a community. An integrated healthcare network should be an independent organization with signed agreements, defined policies, and often by-laws based on a long term vision for achieving systemic change.
For example, a critical access hospital, rural health clinic, and a public health department may collaborate to form a network around a shared purpose. These networks can include community partners such as Social Service Agencies State Rural Health Associations, Primary Care Associations, Academic Medical Centers, Mental Health Agencies, Charitable Organizations, Educational Institutions, Employers, Local Government Agencies, or other entities with an interest in a community’s healthcare system.
Eligible applicants can be public or private non-profit or for-profit entities including faith-based, community-based, tribes and tribal organizations. The applicant may be located in a rural or urban area but must have demonstrated experience serving or the capacity to serve, rural underserved populations.
The established total program funding is anticipated to be $2,000,000. Dates to apply started 8/18/2020 and will go to 11/16/2020 with the estimated award date to be 7/1/2021. For further information, contact Jillian Causey at JCausey@hrsa.gov.
Go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html or to https://www.hrsa.gov/find/funding/hrsa-21-021 for more details.