VA-SORH Innovative Programming Awards is sponsored by Virginia Department of Health. Provides annual grants to implement innovative health programs in rural communities across Virginia, focusing on areas like healthy moms & babies, food access & nutrition, and workforce development.

VA-SORH November Newsletter Virginia Department of Health VA-SORH November Newsletter Virginia Department of Health sent this bulletin at 11/06/2023 02:50 PM EST Greetings from the Virginia State Office of Rural Health! Radford Public Library (RPL) utilized some of their CDC-VR3 grant funding to support their teen patrons who daily come to the library after school in search of a safe space.

RPL strives to increase opportunities for stress relief, mental health support, and cultivate general engagement with library staff and between teens, improving socialization and connectivity. Library staff welcome teens at RPL to their designated teens-only space.

With the support of the grant funding, RPL is able to elevate its favorable reception in creating a welcoming environment for teens with food offerings, gaming stations, comfortable furniture, and the company of a trained service dog. For more information and photos please visit the "Community Spotlight" section of the VA-SORH website .

VA-SORH Community Spotlights VA-SORH & Partner Updates VA-SORH will be featured in a live webinar on National Rural Health Day! November 16th from 3-4 PM ET Learn more about the newly established CDC Office of Rural Health and two inspiring case studies from the field featuring transformative work in Texas and Virginia .

VRHA Pride of Rural Virginia featured by RHIHub "Pride of Rural Virginia provides training and resources to healthcare staff on ways to provide LGBTQ+ care and make their healthcare facilities more welcoming and affirming. This program also hosted “Community Conversations” in rural communities to bring together providers, LGBTQ+ folks, and allies to discuss healthcare access."

A Road Map for Asset Based Investing in Central Appalachia Report highlighting various wellbeing and community asset measures in the Appalachian region in the areas of economics, population health, infrastructure, housing, health facilities, and more. Discusses the associations between wellbeing and community assets as well as the implications for investment.

Enroll Virginia is a nonpartisan, community-based program that provides community education about health coverage and one-on-one enrollment help. Certified Health Navigators provide free, unbiased assistance to communities, individuals, and families across Virginia.

National Rural Health Updates U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS) Solicitation of Written Comments on Healthy People 2030 Objectives The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments on current Healthy People 2030 objectives.

HHS also invites proposals for additional core, developmental, or research objectives and topics regarding critical public health issues for consideration for inclusion in Healthy People 2030. Comments are due by November 20, 2023.

DEA Extends Prescribing for Controlled Substances Via Telehealth On October 10, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency joined with the Department of Health & Human Services to announce an extension telemedicine flexibilities put in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Now through December 31, 2024 , authorized providers (see Updates to Requirements for Buprenorphine Prescribing below) can prescribe controlled substances to new and existing patients based on a telephone evaluation, or through other means of telemedicine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention State of Vaccine Confidence Insights Report: Vaccination in Rural America Special The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examines vaccine confidence and uptake among rural populations in the United States between 2017-2023, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccination.

The report covers differences in vaccine uptake among urban, suburban, and rural populations and identifies strategies for successful outreach to rural areas. Upcoming Meetings & Webinars Rural Health Voice Annual Conference VAFCC 2023 Annual Conference Virginia Department of Health Workforce Incentive Programs The Commonwealth of Virginia offers several incentive programs to attract health professionals to Virginia’s underserved areas.

These programs not only assist with paying down outstanding medical education debt but also afford individuals an opportunity to become part of a community and provide care to deserving populations.

VDH Workforce Incentive Programs Community Mobility Ready-to-Launch Grants Application Deadline: November 17, 2023 Grants and technical assistance to support communities that are ready to take concrete steps toward implementing transportation solutions to help underserved residents become more fully engaged in economic opportunities, improve their health and well-being, and/or become more integrated into their community.

Veterans Health Administration Rural Scholars Fellowship Application Deadline: November 17, 2023 Through its Veterans Health Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a two-year fellowship program designed to develop the skills and knowledge to practice in rural primary care settings.

Fellows will devote 50 percent of their time to clinical practice and 50 percent to fellowship activities that include courses on rural healthcare innovation and leadership training.

National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program Application Deadline: December 7, 2023 Students pursuing primary care health professions training in eligible disciplines can receive loan repayment funding through the National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program.

In exchange for loan repayment funding, you must provide three years of service at a National Health Service Corps-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. New this year : Maternity Care Target Area (MCTA) Supplemental Award of up to $40,000 for eligible disciplines – physicians specializing in obstetrics/gynecology or family medicine physicians who practice obstetrics on a regular basis as well as certified nurse midwives.

Healthy Start Initiative: Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health Application Deadline: December 15, 2023 HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau administers grants to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy and to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in rates of infant death. Funding is set aside for rural communities.

NBCC Foundation Rural Scholarships Application Deadline: December 31, 2023 The National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation has announced scholarships for students residing in rural areas who are currently enrolled in a master's level counseling program and are committed to practicing in rural communities after graduation.

USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program Application Deadline: December 31, 2023 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations.

USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas, including funds for health care facilities and equipment, telecommunications networks, and job creation projects.

Farm to School Grant Program Application Deadline: January 12, 2024 USDA grants to plan, establish, and/or sustain a Farm to School program that improves access to local foods and nutrition/agriculture resources in schools. "Like" us on Facebook to receive live updates on Virginia rural health issues and important messages from our community partners on your Facebook News Feed.

Visit the VA-SORH Facebook Page This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number 5H95RH00138 State Office of Rural Health .

This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Virginia State of Office of Rural Health Virginia Department of Health Office of Health Equity