Grants to States for Operation of Offices of Rural Health (93.913)

 

Program

93.913 Grants to States for Operation of Offices of Rural Health

 

Federal Agency

HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Section 338J; 42 U.S.C. 254r, as amended, Public Law 101-597.

 

Program Number

93.913

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To improve health care in rural areas through the establishment of State Offices of Rural Health.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

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, (2) coordinate State and Federal rural health programs throughout the State, (3) provide TA that will improve participation in State and Federal programs, and (4) work to improve availability of health professionals in rural areas.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

All fifty States may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Underserved populations in rural areas; facilities and services in rural areas.

Credentials/Documentation

OMB Circular No. A-87, "Cost Principles Applicable to Grants and Contracts with State and Local Governments," applies.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not required. This program is subject to the provisions of 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 which the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

Application kits are obtained by writing HRSA Grants Application Center, 901 Russell Avenue, Suite 450, Gaithersburg, MD 20879, or by calling toll free: 1-877-477-2123. This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR, Part 92 for State and local governments.

Award Procedure

Applications are reviewed by Federal and nonfederal experts in rural health care services development, coordination, and delivery. Applications are evaluated for merit and are recommended for approval or disapproval. Final decisions are made by the Director, Office of Rural Health Policy.

Deadlines

Contact Headquarters Office listed below for deadline dates.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Grantees 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.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

States must match at least $3 for each $1 of Federal funds.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grant applications should be submitted for a 3-year project period. Awards are normally made in a lump sum for an entire 12-month budget period. Payments are made annually either through a letter of credit or cash demand system.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual progress and financial status reports are required 90 days from the end of the budget period and the final performance report and final financial status report are due 90 days from the end of the project period.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records

In accordance with 45 CFR, Part 92 and 45 CFR, Part 74, Subpart D, grantees are required to maintain grant accounting records for 3 years after the end of the budget period. If any litigation, audit or other action involving the records 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 regular 3-year period expires, whichever is later.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2002, 50 noncompeting continuation grants were awarded. It is estimated that there will be 50 new awards made in fiscal year 2003 and 50 continuations made in fiscal year 2004.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $6,975,438; FY 03 est $6,900,000 and FY 04 est $3,800,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

From $50,000 to $150,000. Average: $139,500.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Program guidelines may be obtained by contacting the Headquarters Office. "PHS Grants Policy Statement," DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 90-50,000, (Rev.) October 1, 1990.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

Program Contact: Jennifer Riggle, Director, State Office of Rural Health Grant Program, Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, Parklawn Building, Room 9A-55, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-0835. Grants Management Contact: Janice M. Gordon, Acting Grants Management Officer, Division of Grants Management Operations, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11A-55, Rockville, Md. 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-2385.

Web Site Address

http://www.ruralhealth.hrsa.gov

 

Examples of Funded Projects

This program establishes State Offices of Rural Health in each State. A few of the projects in State Offices of Rural Health include: 1) Providing technical assistance to rural communities seeking to develop or improve primary health care; 2) training community leaders and providers of health services so that they may better respond to the needs of their rural clientele; and 3) taking lead roles in drafting, obtaining, and implementing the rural physician loan repayment program to increase the likelihood of recruiting physicians to remote rural area. In general, these projects tend to address problems and issues unique to their particular State, therefore, projects cover a broad range of activities.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

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.