HRSA is soliciting applications for the “Telehealth Resource Center Grant Program” (TRCGP) to support Telehealth Resource Centers (TRC). The TRCs provide technical assistance to healthcare organizations, healthcare networks, and healthcare providers to help organizations implement cost-effective telehealth programs to better serve rural and medically underserved areas and populations.
The Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) within HRSA wants every state to be covered by a TRC. The funding will help five Regional TRCs (RTRC) use telehealth for clinical care in the RTRC communities and regions.
The grant applications are due April 20, 2012 with the program to provide funding during federal fiscal years 2012-2016. About $1,625,000 is expected to be available annually to fund the five RTRCs at a level of $325,000 for a four-year project period.
OAT expects the TRCs to use the grant funds to:
• Provide technical assistance, training, and support
• Disseminate information and research findings related to telehealth services
• Promote effective collaboration among telehealth resource centers
• Conduct evaluations to determine the best use for telehealth technologies to meet healthcare needs
• Promote the integration of the technologies used in clinical information systems with other telehealth technologies
• Foster the use of telehealth technologies to provide healthcare information and education for healthcare providers and consumers in a more effective manner
This funding will support two National TRCs (NTRCs) to work with the RTRCs. About $600,000 is expected to be available annually to fund the two NTRCs at a level of up to $300,000 each year for a four-year project period.
One National TRC will focus on providing specialized technical assistance in telehealth technology. The other National TRC will focus on policy issues that deal with physician and nurse licensure, credentialing and privileging, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, and private insurance payment policies.
Applicants applying for the grant funding should have expertise in telehealth services including telehomecare services, mHealth, and the use of handheld technologies
Eligible applicants can include Native American tribal organizations, non-profits, faith-based, community-based, and tribal non-profit organizations.
For more information, go to www.grants.gov or email Monica M. Cowan, Public Health Analyst, at Monica.Cowan@hrsa.hhs.gov or call (301) 443-0076.
