27 May Funding Alert! Telehealth Learning Program Cooperative Agreements
Department of Health and Human Services – Health Resources and Services Administration
Does your organization use telehealth technologies to serve rural, underserved populations? The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently opened its Telehealth Technology-Enabled Learning Program (TTELP), which aims to facilitate evidence-based training, professional education, and support of primary care providers (PCPs) who serve rural, frontier, and underserved areas. This program emphasizes collaborative relationships between specialists at academic medical centers and PCPs to implement learning community models and provide training in best-practice specialty care to PCPs and their teams. Proposals are due June 25, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include domestic, public or private nonprofit or for-profit organizations with demonstrated experience in serving rural, underserved populations through telehealth. Domestic faith-based and community-based organizations, federally recognized tribes, and tribal organizations can also apply, if otherwise eligible.
What is the program goal?
Through the TTELP program, recipients will develop learning community models that connect academic medical centers with PCPs serving rural communities. These cooperative agreements will foster a stronger health care workforce, improve access to high-quality health care services, promote health equity, and enhance population health in rural, underserved areas. Learning community models might include telementoring models such as Project ECHO, distance learning, clinical decision support, or other emerging models.
TTELP programs will develop freely accessible tools that enhance access to care for rural populations through cost-effective telehealth and other technology solutions. In addition, TTELPs will focus on the following:
- Infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19 or HIV/AIDS), mental health, substance use disorder, chronic disease, prenatal/maternal health, pediatric care, or other specialties;
- Health care disparities in rural, frontier, and underserved populations; and
- Inclusion of populations that have historically experienced negative health outcomes or health disparities (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities, individuals experiencing homelessness, youth and adolescents, etc.).
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) found here includes further explanation of learning community models and HRSA’s strategies for these cooperative agreements.
The funder expects to award nine cooperative agreements of up to $475,000 per year. Cooperative agreements involve substantial involvement and collaboration between HRSA and the TTELP recipient. This program involves a five-year period of performance; there is no cost sharing or match required.
What makes a project a good fit?
While the applicant organization may be located in an urban or rural area, the proposed program must provide learning community support to two or more sites located in HRSA-defined rural areas (confirm eligibility here). All services must be provided in a non-metropolitan county or rural census tract; program sites located in urban areas are not eligible to receive funding.
In addition, applicants must include the goal of publishing research based on data generated through TTELP program implementation.
What if I am ready to apply? To move your project forward, take the following action steps as soon as possible:
- Review the full NOFO, found on the TTELP program page under the “Apply” heading.
- Determine whether your potential service area sites meet the rural eligibility criteria.
- Reach out to your regional Telehealth Resource Center for research, resources, and technical assistance.
- Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and be sure you have agov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/searchRecords/search.jsf.
What if I need help with this application?
Contact Assel Grant Services today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist, will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.
What if I am not ready to apply this year?
Start preparing for next year! HRSA also has a variety of other programs and funding opportunities available that might be a good fit. The office’s website has ample resources, webinars, and descriptions of other available or upcoming opportunities.
How do I learn more about federal grant opportunities?
AGS is excited to offer a new Federal Grants Training Series coming in 2021! The series is designed to support nonprofit professionals before and during their first federal grant. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.
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