Acting State Director Harriet Cannon today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to increase access to health care in the Delta Region.
“This funding will help address the health care needs and challenges that are unique to this part of the country,” Cannon said. “We know there’s a strong link between a strong economy and a healthy workforce, and USDA is committed to increasing healthy outcomes for residents.”
USDA is providing the grants through the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program, which was established through the 2008 Farm Bill. The program is a collaborative effort among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research centers and other entities. Grants support activities such as health education programs, developing health care services, job training in health care fields, and developing or expanding public health facilities.
The Delta region consists of 252 counties and parishes within Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. The maximum grant award is $1 million. Paper applications are due July 24, 2017; electronic applications are due July 17, 2017. For information on how to apply, visit the Federal Register. Assistance is also available by contacting Tennessee Rural Development State Office.
Here is one example of how this funding is making a difference in the Delta. In Madisonville, Ky., Madisonville Community College received a $368,484 grant to build a state-of-the-art training facility for nursing students. The simulation lab at Baptist Health Madisonville has given 150 nursing students and 40 allied health students the opportunity to use high-tech, mock patients that simulate crying, sweating and bleeding. Nurses at the hospital can receive mandatory on-the-job training in the lab. Approximately 125 bedside and critical care nurses have trained there since 2015.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/tn.