Rural Health and Primary Care

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What’s New in Rural Health

Stay Updated on the Latest Developments

Welcome to the latest updates from the Rural Health & Primary Care Program! Here, you'll find the most current announcements, resources, and opportunities impacting rural healthcare in Maine. Recent highlights include the launch of innovative tools, funding opportunities, and event recaps. Check back regularly for the latest information as we transition older updates into the categorized sections below.

Featured Updates

Primary Care Tax Credit Program Accepting Applications

The Primary Tax Credit Program applications will be opening on January 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM. The applications are being accepted online at https://submit.link/10R. Applications cannot be submitted online until after January 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM. This program provides a tax credit on income tax returns to eligible Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Physicians, Physician Assistants, and Registered Nurses. The applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis and only the first 10 eligible providers with completed applications submitted can be accepted. The Application Cycle closes on February 18th, 2025. 

To be eligible, the provider must practice in an eligible Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area/Population (MUA/P). If you are unsure if your facility qualifies, please visit this website: https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area

The online application will ask you to upload various documents, this includes but is not limited to: 

  • A verification of full, permanent licensure in Maine. Must come from this website: https://www.pfr.maine.gov/almsonline/almsquery/SearchIndividual.aspx.
  • An employment contract that indicates that you have been practicing full time at the designated work location since at least 7/1/2024.
  • Verification of Educational Debt form. You can submit as many of these as needed so that all of your educational loans can be represented.
  • Educational Loan statement that is: On official letterhead or other clear verification that it comes from the lender/holder, includes the name of the borrower, Contains the account number, includes the date of the statement (cannot be more than 45 days from the date of application submission), and includes the current outstanding balance (principal and interest) or the current payoff balance.

Please disburse widely within your organization so that all potentially eligible providers can be reached. 

If you have any questions, please email erica.dyer@maine.gov to get those questions answered.

Introducing Our New Newsletter

We’re excited to launch our Rural Health and Primary Care Program Newsletter, designed to keep you informed about the latest updates, initiatives, and resources aimed at improving healthcare access in Maine’s rural communities. Each edition will feature important news, upcoming events, success stories, and insights into our ongoing work with healthcare providers, partners, and stakeholders across the state. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, community leader, or advocate, our newsletter will provide valuable information to help you stay connected and engaged in the critical work of rural health. Here you’ll find our first issue (PDF), and make sure to check back for future editions!

NERHA Rural Data Analysis Dashboard Launched

The New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) has unveiled the Rural Data Analysis Dashboard, a powerful mapping tool designed to explore health disparities across New England. With nearly 200 data points covering demographics, social determinants, maternity services, and more, this tool is invaluable for rural health professionals, students, and researchers. Users can create customized maps, download data, and generate PDF reports for advocacy, research, and more.
Learn More and Access the Dashboard

FY2025 J-1 Conrad Waiver Season Open

The FY2025 J-1 Conrad Waiver season has officially begun! The preselection form opened on October 1st. Interested applicants and stakeholders can access resources below to learn more about the program and application process:

Programs

Northern Border Regional Commission J-1 Program

Applications for Specialist Physicians open on April 1, 2024. Updated guides now include new specialty care requirements.
Access the NBRC Guide (PDF) | Read Press Release (PDF)

Loan Repayment Program for Behavioral Health Providers

Applications for the Loan Repayment Program will open on October 16th, 2024 at 9:00 AM and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible providers are encouraged to read the announcement (PDF) closely and ensure all documents, including the Verification of Educational Debt Form (PDF) and Data Form (PDF), are prepared before the application opens. Applicants should complete as many Verifications of Education Debt Forms as needed to describe all relevant educational debt. The data form's purpose is to make applicants aware of the types of questions that they will be asked during the application. Therefore, this form does not need to be uploaded during the application.

Apply Here

Upcoming Webinars and Events

Need Help Winning Rural Grants?

The New England Rural Health Association announces an exciting new Rural Grant Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TA/CB) program funded by the HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. TA/CB services are available free to rural organizations within the Northern Borders Commission Region of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York State. 

The program kicks off with an introductory webinar on January 23rd from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. - Register Here

The TA/CB program is designed to help small or fledgling rural organizations identify, compete for, secure, and administer grant-funded programs promoting rural health and wellness.

NERHA welcomes Ashley Mills as a Technical Assistance subject matter expert, bringing over 15 years of experience working in Maine communities and extensive expertise in holistic program development, management, and success. Ashley's unique perspective comes from her success on all sides of the grant process—as an applicant, an awardee, a reviewer, and a site visitor with HRSA programs. Her holistic approach to program design and development has supported many types of nonprofit organizations.

The webinar will introduce NERHA's new comprehensive TA/CB support services, designed to meet organizations at their current grant readiness level. Ashley will share insights on navigating complex funding systems and building sustainable programs. Participants will help shape the program's future offerings by sharing their organizations' specific needs around grant strategy, development, and management. Drawing on her experience with both federal and community-based funding, Ashley will outline how NERHA can support its rural health constituents in building stronger grant programs together. 

We are pleased to share with you information about an upcoming webinar series designed for healthcare professionals working in rural settings. This two-part event will focus on practical de-escalation strategies to help address and prevent workplace violence.

Webinar Series: Navigating Workplace Violence: A Webinar Series on De-escalation Strategies for Healthcare Professionals

Dates & Times:

  • Part 1: February 20, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (ET)
  • Part 2: March 20, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (ET)

For more details and to register, please visit: Home - Navigating Workplace Violence: A Webinar Series on De-escalation Strategies for Healthcare Professionals (ME#447/950)

2024 3RNET Academy

The 2024 3RNET Academy begins on October 8th and runs biweekly through December 17th. Our office has sponsored your attendance, so you can register and attend at no cost. This year's sessions cover Recruitment Processes, Retention Strategies, and Mission & DEIB Initiatives to strengthen your workforce.

Healthcare executives and HR professionals serving Maine's rural and underserved populations are encouraged to participate.

Register Here with Code: RecruitMaine2024

Funding Opportunities

New Funding Opportunity: 2025 Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants Program

MeHAF is pleased to announce the opening of the 2025 Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants (SIIRG) program. This program offers:

  • Planning Grants: Up to $30,000 for one-year planning projects
  • Implementation Grants: Up to $50,000 per year for one or two years

Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) are due by Thursday, January 23 at 4:00 PM

The SIIRG program is designed to address systemic barriers in healthcare access for rural, underserved populations, with a focus on Rural Health, Aging/Older Adults, Behavioral Health, and Maternal & Infant Health.

For more details, including eligibility, application instructions, and key dates, please visit the SIIRG Program Information Page.

HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program

HRSA has released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to enhance behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and young adults.

  • Total Funding: $59.6 million across 101 grantees over four years
  • Eligible Applicants: Public and Private Institutions, Hospitals, Rural Clinics, and Nonprofits
  • Deadline: January 21, 2025, 11:59 P.M. ET
    Learn More and Apply

Resources 

Immigration Pathways for Recruitment Webinar

Missed our recent webinar on recruitment strategies for foreign-trained physicians? You can still access the slides and recording to catch up on this valuable session.
View Slide (PDF) | Contact Erica Dyer  Erica.dyer@maine.gov for recording

New Northern Border Regional Commission J-1 Waiver Program Webinar

The Rural Health and Primary Care Program recently hosted a webinar on the new Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) J-1 Waiver Program. 

View Slides (PDF) | View Recording - Passcode: b!u^2evs | NBRC J-1 Waiver Program Guide (PDF)

Kids Count Data Book 2023

This year’s Kids Count Data Book highlights critical indicators like child poverty, child welfare, and teen mental health.
Read the Data Book (PDF)

Patient Centered Medical Home Presentation

Kristen Ogden, RN, from the Compliance Team, recently delivered a presentation on the Patient Centered Medical Home to Maine’s Rural Health Clinics.

View Recording - Passcode: M=8AW@kw. | View Slides (PDF)

Regulatory Updates Presentation

Kate Hill, RN, from the Compliance Team, recently gave a presentation on Regulatory Updates to Maine’s Rural Health Clinics.

View Recording - Passcode: Crp0ZH.$

Listening Session on Statewide Rational Service Areas

Thank you to everyone who attended the Listening Session on the Statewide Rational Service Areas. For those who were unable to attend or would like to rewatch, the session was recorded:

View Recording -  Passcode: cv0zZv$4 | View Slides( PDF) | View Discussion Handouts (PDF)

3RNET

3RNET has recently launched their 3RNET PLUS TOOLS. Please follow this link (PDF) for a one pager with information on the 3RNET PLUS TOOLS including a video.