Now is the time for rural providers to be assessing their needs and resources, reaching out to other providers, and planning a strategy for succeeding in the era of health care reform. Federal funds are now available to fund those activities.
Grant funds are now available to rural entities for planning and development of health care networks. Rural non-profit and public entities may now apply for a one-year Network Planning Grant of up to $85,000 to be awarded March 1, 2011. These funds may be used to acquire staff, contract with technical experts, and purchase resources to build a network.
The Network Planning Grant is intended to assist rural entities with identifying and convening potential collaborating network partners and planning network activities. The grant money currently available can also be used for community needs assessment (which is required for all tax-exempt hospitals effective March 23, 2012), HIT readiness, and Economic Impact Analysis.
Furthermore, entities who receive the Network Planning Grant can then apply for a three-year Network Development Implementation Grant to continue the work begun under the Network Planning Grant.
Application information for the Network Planning Grant is available on the HRSA website. Applications are due October 8, 2010. The applicant must be a rural non-profit or public entity that represents a consortium of three or more health related entities seeking assistance in planning, organizing and developing a health care network. Our Health Care team is available to assist you with applying for these funds and with strategic planning and development of your rural health care network.
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