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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

93.913:  Grants to States for Operation of Offices of Rural Health

Objectives:  To improve health care in rural areas through the establishment of State Offices of Rural Health.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

93.913 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  The 50 States.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Underserved populations in rural areas; facilities and services in rural areas.

Credentials/Documentation:  OMB Circular No. A-87, "Cost Principles Applicable to Grants and Contracts with State and Local Governments," applies.

93.913 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.

Application Procedure:  Application kits are obtained by writing HRSA Grants Application Center, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rm. 4-91, Rockville, MD 20857, or by calling toll free: 1-877-477-2123. This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR, Part 92 for State and local governments.

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:  From 2 to 3 months.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  Grantees may request funding beyond an initial project period by submitting a competing continuation application during a regular competing application cycle. All competitive cycles are contingent upon availability of funds for such purposes.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Grant applications will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: (1) The extent to which the application is responsive to the requirements and purposes of the program; (2) the extent to which the applicant has developed measurable goals, objectives, and an evaluation plan for the required, and any discretionary, activities; (3) the extent to which the Office is coordinated with, and has the cooperation of, other health entities and activities within the State; (4) the strength of the applicant's plans for administrative and financial management of the Office; (5) the reasonableness of the budget proposed for the Office; and (6) the likelihood that the Office will be continued after Federal grant support is completed.

Examples of Funded Projects:  This program establishes State Offices of Rural Health in each State. A few of the projects in State Offices of Rural Health include: 1) Providing technical assistance to rural communities seeking to develop or improve primary health care; 2) training community leaders and providers of health services so that they may better respond to the needs of their rural clientele; and 3) taking lead roles in drafting, obtaining, and implementing the rural physician loan repayment program to increase the likelihood of recruiting physicians to remote rural area. In general, these projects tend to address problems and issues unique to their particular State, therefore, projects cover a broad range of activities.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  The range is from $50,000 to $70,000.

93.913 RELATED PROGRAMS:

93.913 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

93.913 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $2,681,635; FY 00 est $3,000,000; and FY 01 est $3,000,000.

Budget Account Number:  75-0350-0-1-550.

Authorization:  Public Health Service Act, Section 338J; 42 U.S.C. 254r, as amended, Public Law 101-597.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Program guidelines may be obtained by contacting the Headquarters Office. "PHS Grants Policy Statement," DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 90-50,000, (Rev.) October 1, 1990.

93.913 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  Program Contact: Mr. Roberto Anson, Director, State Office of Rural Health Grant Program, Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, Parklawn Bldg., Room 9A-55, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Phone: (301) 443-0835. Grants Management Contact: Mr. Lawrence Poole, Grants Management Officer, Grant Management Office, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, 4350 East-West Highway, 11th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: (301) 594-4235.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

93.913 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  States must match at least $3 for each $1 of Federal funds.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Grant applications should be submitted for a 3-year project period. Awards are normally made in a lump sum for an entire 12-month budget period. Payments are made annually either through a letter of credit or cash demand system.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  This is a matching grant program with States to support the establishment and ongoing operation of Offices of Rural Health. While a wide range of activities can be conducted to address unique State needs, each State Office of Rural Health must (1) establish an information clearinghouse, (2) coordinate State and Federal rural health programs throughout the State, (3) provide TA that will improve participation in State and Federal programs, and (4) work to improve availability of health professionals in rural areas.

93.913 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Annual progress and financial status reports are required 90 days from the end of the budget period and the final performance report and final financial status report are due 90 days from the end 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 Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive 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:  In accordance with 45 CFR, Part 92 and 45 CFR, Part 74, Subpart D, grantees are required to maintain grant accounting records for 3 years after the end of the budget 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.