Oregon Office of Rural Health

Network Planning NOFO Released

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy is pleased to announce the release of the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) HRSA-18-034 for Rural Health Network Development Planning Program (Network Planning Program).

The purpose of this program is to promote the planning and development of healthcare networks in order to: (i) achieve efficiencies; (ii) expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of essential health care services; and (iii) strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. Approximately $2 million will be awarded annually for up to 20 awardees during Fiscal Year 2018 project period. Applications are due February 23, 2018.

The intent of the Network Planning program is to allow applicants the flexibility to determine their unique community needs and focus area(s), based on historical health care context, expertise, and relevant data sources in the community. Past Network Planning projects have had an array of project focus areas including (but not limited to): Care Coordination among Network Partners; Patient Engagement; Data Analytics/Health Information Technology; Rural Hospital Closure/ Conversion; Telehealth. Furthermore, the program creates an opportunity to address the clinical priorities of mental health, substance abuse, and childhood obesity.

For additional information regarding the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program, please join us for a technical assistance webinar on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 2 p.m. ET. Additional information about this webinar can be found in the NOFO available through Grants.gov.

If you have any questions about the program or have opportunities for FORHP to present information regarding this funding opportunity, please contact Sara Afayee: Safayee@hrsa.gov or 301-945-4169.