Cooperative Agreements to States/Territories for the Coordination and Development of Primary Care Offices

The State Primary Care Offices (PCO) cooperative agreement aims to improve access to primary, dental, and mental health services for uninsured, isolated, and medically vulnerable populations by coordinating statewide primary care initiatives and heal

The State Primary Care Offices (PCO) cooperative agreement aims to improve access to primary, dental, and mental health services for uninsured, isolated, and medically vulnerable populations by coordinating statewide primary care initiatives and health workforce strategies. Through statewide needs assessment, shortage designation coordination, and targeted technical assistance, the PCO identifies unmet health needs, monitors provider availability, and supports the development and expansion of community-based primary care delivery systems. The program further advances recruitment and retention efforts-including support for National Health Service Corps initiatives-and works collaboratively with state agencies, health centers, and community partners to strengthen the primary care safety net. Collectively, these activities position the PCO to lead long-term, data-driven strategies that address health workforce shortages and expand access to care across the state.

States or territories, political subdivisions of States, agencies of States, or other public entities that operate solely within one State or represent multiple territories where appropriate. These entities must provide statewide coverage for primary health care issues and represent or have relationships with the broad range of primary health care delivery systems and programs in the State.

Health Professional Shortage Areas and Medically Underserved Areas/Populations within States and Territories will benefit from this program. Primary Care Offices (PCO) submit applications for designation status, which are reviewed and processed by the Division of Policy and Shortage Designation.

Recipients will be expected to perform State-wide primary care planning and resource coordination, including maintaining and updating databases that reflect current levels of health professional shortage areas (HPSA) and medically underserved areas and populations (MUAP), Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance program, State Offices of Rural Health, Ryan White Area Health Education Centers, Maternal and Child Health, etc.; support health systems development, primary care practitioners retention and recruitment, National Health Service Corps monitoring activities, as well as activities relating to other special populations including rural populations; and conduct operational and administrative support activities.

Recipients will be expected to perform State-wide primary care planning and resource coordination, including maintaining and updating databases that reflect current levels of health professional shortage areas (HPSA) and medically underserved areas and populations (MUAP), Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance program, State Offices of Rural Health, Ryan White Area Health Education Centers, Maternal and Child Health, etc.; support health systems development, primary care practitioners retention and recruitment, National Health Service Corps monitoring activities, as well as activities relating to other special populations including rural populations; and conduct operational and administrative support activities.

This funding opportunity provides support for a 5-year project period.

Procedures for assessing the technical merit of grant applications have been instituted to provide an objective review of applications and to assist the applicant in understanding the standards against which each application will be judged. Critical indicators have been developed for each review criterion to assist the applicant in presenting pertinent information related to that criterion and to provide the reviewer with a standard for evaluation. Competing applications are reviewed by non-Federal expert consultant(s) for technical merit recommendations. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated against the following criteria: (1) Purpose and Need; (2) Response to Program Purpose; (3) Impact; (4) Organizational Information, Resources and Capabilities; and (5) Support Requested. See the most recent Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed selection criteria.

Notification of award is made in writing (electronic) through a Notice of Award.

Approximately from 120 to 180 days after receipt of application.

Depending on Agency priorities and availability of funding, during the final budget year of the approved project period competing continuation applications may be solicited from interested applicants.