The purpose of the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) program is to promote behavioral health integration into pediatric primary care using telehealth. State or regional networks of pediatric mental health teams will provide tele-consultation, training, technical assistance, and care coordination for pediatric primary care providers to diagnose, treat and refer children with behavioral health conditions. HRSA defines telehealth as the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, clinical consultation, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration. Technologies include video conferencing, the internet, store-and forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless communications.

Recovery homes on the registry and those working towards inclusion on the registry can apply for a loan up to $4,000 in order to help with operating costs. Recovery homes working towards inclusion on the registry must do so via accreditation by the Washington Alliance of Quality Recovery Residences.

The Emergency Rural Health Care program is designed to help broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities.  

Rural health care is challenged by immediate financial needs stemming from COVID-19 related expenses. Long-term access to – and availability of – rural health care services have been further hampered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to these challenges, this program offers two tracks of funding to eligible applicants.

• Track One: Recovery Grants provide immediate relief to address the economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 emergency
• Track Two: Impact Grants advance ideas and solutions to solve regional rural health care problems to support the long-term sustainability of rural health

Eligible applicants include public bodies, community-based nonprofits, and federally-recognized Tribes. Facilities and projects supported through this grant must be located in rural areas with populations of 20,000 or fewer, and must primarily serve rural areas.

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Track One:  Each Rural Development state office will conduct a review, rating, and selection from complete applications received by 4 p.m. local time on October 12, 2021. USDA will continue to accept Track One: Recovery Grant applications on a continual basis after October 12, 2021 until all funds are exhausted.

Track Two: Impact applications must be received by the applicable Rural Development Office by 4 p.m. local time on October 12, 2021. Track Two Impact applications received after October 12, 2021 will not be considered.