Getty Images
HRSA Releases $48M to Boost Rural Healthcare Workforce
The award will support more than 30 community-based organizations through healthcare job development, training, and placement to increase the rural and tribal workforce in their area.
Through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HHS is awarding $48 million in grants for community-based organizations in rural and tribal areas to bolster the healthcare workforce in those areas, according to a recent announcement.
The awards provided through the American Rescue Plan funds will support healthcare job development, training, and placement for more than 30 community-based organizations to increase public health capacity in rural and tribal communities.
Awarded community-based organizations must develop formal programs or certification programs in workforce training tracks based on community health support, health IT or telehealth technical support, community paramedicine, or respiratory therapy and/or case management staff.
“This funding will help advance HRSA’s mission of developing a healthcare workforce capable of meeting the critical needs of rural and other often underserved populations,” Acting HRSA Administrator Diana Espinosa said in the announcement.
According to the announcement, the investment will help increase the number of trained healthcare professionals in rural communities and connect them with employers, such as hospitals and clinics that participate in the Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program.
“The Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program will create stronger links between training programs and the healthcare entities that ultimately employ their participants, a key strategy for increasing recruitment and retention in rural areas,” Espinosa said.
By providing workers with valuable and proper training, this program will deliver rural communities with a highly trained healthcare workforce that will improve quality of care and service delivery to adequately address the population health needs of rural communities affected by COVID-19,
“The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of a robust public health workforce to keep Americans safe and healthy, especially in communities that have experienced long-standing health disparities,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a public announcement.
Additionally, it will help participating healthcare providers ensure that the pool of potential healthcare employees is well prepared to provide culturally competent care and can handle specific needs at their facilities.
Grant receipts must establish community health networks, which can include Tribal Colleges and Universities, Minority-Serving Institutions, community and technical colleges, critical access hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, rural health clinics, state or local workforce development boards, and substance abuse provider.
“This investment is part of our ongoing efforts to address health workforce needs in rural and underserved communities. As we build a healthier nation, we will continue to promote health equity and strengthen rural health,” said Becerra.
This announcement of $48 million comes shortly after the Biden-Harris Administration dedicated $1.5 billion for its health workforce loan repayment and scholarship programs being largest field strength in history for its health workforce loan repayment and scholarship programs.
