Grants to States for Operation of State Offices of Rural Health

 

The purpose of the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) grant program is to assist states in strengthening rural health care delivery systems by maintaining a focal point for rural health within each state. The program provides funding for an institutional framework that links small rural communities with state and federal resources to help develop long-term solutions to rural health problems

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
93.913
Federal Agency/Office
Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2021 The 50 SORH supported 93,118 technical assistance encounters to 26,712 unique clients including healthcare providers, small rural hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities, and other community based organizations, networks, and associations
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2021, the 50 SORH supported 91,562 technical assistance encounters to 24,544 unique clients including healthcare providers, small rural hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities, and other community based organizations, networks, and associations.
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, Section 338J; 42 U.S.C. 254r, as amended by sec. P.L. 115-408
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
All fifty states may apply. Each state may only submit one application. Only current SORH awardees, as designated by the Governor, may apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Underserved populations in rural areas; facilities and services in rural areas.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants should review the individual HRSA NOFO issued under this assistance listing for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her state for more information on the process the state requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the state has selected the program for review
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. HRSA requires all applicants to apply electronically through Grants.gov.
Award Procedure
All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee. Based on the advice of the objective review committee, the HRSA program official with delegated authority is responsible for final selection and funding decisions. Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Award.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 120 to 180 days. 6 months.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Awardees may request funding beyond an initial project period by submitting a competing continuation application during a regular competing application cycle. All competitive cycles are contingent upon availability of funds for such purposes.
How are proposals selected?
(Grants) Grant applications will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: (1) The extent to which the application is responsive to the requirements and purposes of the program; (2) the extent to which the applicant has developed measurable goals, objectives, and an evaluation plan for the required, and any discretionary, activities; (3) the extent to which the Office is coordinated with, and has the cooperation of, other health entities and activities within the state; (4) the strength of the applicant's plans for administrative and financial management of the Office; (5) the reasonableness of the budget proposed for the Office; and (6) the likelihood that the Office will be continued after federal grant support is completed.
How may assistance be used?
This is a matching grant program with states to support the establishment and ongoing operation of Offices of Rural Health. While a wide range of activities can be conducted to address unique state needs, each State Office of Rural Health must: (1) Establish an information clearinghouse for collecting and disseminating information, (2) coordinate state and federal rural health programs throughout the state for the purpose of avoiding duplication, and (3) provide technical assistance that will improve participation in state and federal programs.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Awardees are required to submit performance monitoring data within 60 days after the end of the budget period.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
Awardees are required to maintain grant accounting records 3 years after the date they submit the Federal Financial Report (FFR). If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit or other action involving the award has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records shall be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. States must match not less than $3 for each $1 of federal funds provided in the grant. Non-federal contributions may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plan, equipment, or services. The Secretary may waive or reduce the non-Federal contribution if the Secretary determines that matching funds would limit the SORH’s ability to carry out the purposes of the program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grant applications should be submitted for up to a 5-year project period. Subject to availability of funds, after initial awards, projects may be renewed non-competitively contingent upon submission and approval of an application, availability of appropriated funds, and awardee's satisfactory performance. Awards are normally made in a lump sum for an entire 12-month budget period. Awardees drawdown funds, as necessary, from the Payment Management System (PMS). PMS is the centralized web based payment system for HHS awards. Payments are made annually either through a letter of credit or cash demand system.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
https://beta.sam.gov/organization/100008531#regional-locations
Headquarters Office
Sarah Ndiang'ui Program Coordinator
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
Rockville, MD 20857 US
sndiangui@hrsa.gov
Phone: (301) 443-0876
Website Address
http://www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0350-0-1-550
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$11,133,756.00; FY 23 est $11,133,756.00; FY 24 est $11,133,756.00; FY 21$11,163,756.00; FY 20$10,963,593.00; FY 19$8,774,156.00; FY 18$8,587,983.00; FY 17$8,587,983.00; FY 16$8,500,000.00; - State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) Program
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$223,410 to 50 awardees
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 for state, local and tribal governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofit organizations and commercial organizations, as applicable. HRSA awards are subject to the requirements of the HHS Grants Policy Statement (HHS GPS) that are applicable based on recipient type and purpose of award. The HHS GPS is available at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 



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