CARSON CITY, Nev., Nov. 16, 2023-Today, USDA Rural Development Nevada State Director Lucas Ingvoldstad announced two Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants funding Churchill County’s Central Nevada Health District and Nevada Health Centers for $70,925 and $41,768 respectively. These investments will enable Central Nevada Health District and Nevada Health Centers to expand remote medical access in rural areas through the purchasing of hardware and software, including telehealth carts and tablets. Medical professionals will be able to deliver primary care and other services to rural residents in Elko, Storey, Nye, and Lander Counties through Nevada Health Centers, and to Churchill, Pershing, Eureka, and Mineral Counties through Central Nevada Health District. Over 70,000 residents in rural Nevada will benefit from these investments. All previously mentioned counties are included in Nevada’s Rural Partners Network (RPN) Community Networks.
"It is a key commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration that every Nevadan can access reliable and affordable healthcare, no matter where they live," said Ingvoldstad.
"I'm proud to announce these DLT investments in Nevada Health Centers and Churchill County on National Rural Health Day. By equipping rural hospitals and clinics with telehealth hardware and software, we continue to tackle troublesome inequalities in healthcare access in rural Nevada as well as improve rural outcomes. Whether we're supporting remote medical care, investing in mobile health clinics and treatment facilities, or financing clean, reliable water and waste systems, USDA Rural Development is dedicated to the health and safety of every Nevadan.”
Nevada Health Centers will use this Rural Development Investment to equip 11 hub sites and nine end-user sites throughout Elko, Storey, Nye, and Lander counties in northern and southern Nevada with improvements and expansion of hardware and software including Telehealth carts. Medical professionals at Nevada Health Centers in Clark County, Nevada will deliver primary care, registered dieticians, certified diabetes educators, pediatricians, internal medicine providers, and behavioral health providers, including substance use treatment, to eight locations.
Churchill County will use this Rural Development Investment to equip four hub sites and four end-user sites throughout Churchill, Pershing, Eureka, and Mineral counties in central Nevada with portable, synchronous, real-time telehealth capable tablets. Community Health Nurses, employed by Central Nevada Health District, will deliver or facilitate routine medical services including follow ups, consults, medication management, low-risk urgent care, and mental health appointments to eight locations.
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world - overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Eligible applicants include state and local governmental organizations, Tribal bodies, non-profits, and businesses, all in rural areas with populations of 20,000 or fewer. Funds may be used to purchase hardware, software, equipment, broadband facilities, and technical assistance and instruction. To learn more, please visit the program page online: Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants | Rural Development (usda.gov)
To learn more about investment resources for rural Nevada, visit www.rd.usda.gov/nv or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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