Rural Health Outreach and Rural Network Development Program (93.912)
Program
93.912 Rural Health Outreach and Rural Network Development Program
Federal Agency
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Authorization
Health Centers Consolidation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-299.
Program Number
93.912
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To expand access to, coordinate, restrain the cost of, and improve the quality of essential health services, including preventive and emergency services, through the development of integrated health care delivery systems or networks in rural areas and regions.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
All funds awarded are to be expended solely for carrying out the approved projects. The applicant must apply in conjunction with two or more other entities as part of a network.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Rural public or nonprofit private entities that include three or more health care providers or other entities that provide or support the delivery of health care services. The administrative headquarters of the organization must be located in a rural county or a rural census tract of an urban county; or an organization is constituted exclusively to provide services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers in rural areas and supported under Section 330G of the Public Health Service Act; or the applicant is a Native American Tribal or quasi-tribal entity for services delivered on reservation or recognized tribal lands.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Medically underserved populations in rural areas will receive expanded services in rural communities where they did not previously exist.
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. Applicants must also consult with the State Office of Rural Health.
Application Procedure
Application kits can be 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 92 for State and local governments and OMB Circular No. A-110 for nonprofit organizations.
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
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
There are no statutory formula or matching requirements for this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made annually. Funds are available to grantees on an as needed basis throughout the budget period and payments are made through the Payment Management System.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
A performance progress report is submitted with each noncompeting continuation application. A financial status report is to be submitted within 90 days after the close of the budget period. A final Program report is to be submitted within 90 days after the close 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
Grantees are required to maintain grant accounting records for 3 years after the end of the project 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, there were 49 new awards and 103 noncompeting continuations. It is estimated that there will be 73 new awards and 73 noncompeting continuations in fiscal year 2003. It is estimated that there will be 48 new awards and 98 continuations in fiscal year 2003.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0350-0-1-550.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $28,871,264; FY 03 est $28,900,000; and FY 04 est $28,900,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
From $50,000 to $200,000. Average: $185,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Program guidelines may be obtained by contacting the Headquarters Office. PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000, (Rev.) April 1, 1995.
Related Programs
93.224, Community Health Centers; 93.246, Health Centers Grants for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Program Contact: Ms. Eileen Holloran, Grant Programs Coordinator, Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, Room 9A-55, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-7529. Grants Management Contact: Janice Gordon, Acting Grants Management Officer, Division Grants Management Operations, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11A-16, Rockville, Md. 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-2385.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Funded projects include efforts to provide primary care services in rural areas, including mental health services, emergency medical services, prenatal care, free clinical services, and preventive health services. In addition, projects designed to increase the number of health professionals available to provide services in rural areas have also been funded. These include upgrading nursing skills from R.N. to N.P. or C.N.S. levels or upgrading the skills of emergency medical services personnel. In addition, projects designed to improve access to rural health services (such as transportation or services on mobile vans) have also been funded. More recently projects to develop or enhance vertically integrated networks have been supported.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria are based on the need of the project, innovation, clearly defined roles of each network member, strength of applicant's management plan, level of local commitment, costs, and program evaluation plan.
