Grants to States for Operation of State Offices of Rural Health

The purpose of the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) grant program is to assist states in strengthening rural health care delivery systems by maintaining a focal point for rural health within each state. The program provides funding for an institu

The purpose of the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) grant program is to assist states in strengthening rural health care delivery systems by maintaining a focal point for rural health within each state. The program provides funding for an institutional framework that links small rural communities with state and federal resources to help develop long-term solutions to rural health problems. The State Offices of Rural Health Coordination and Development Program (SORHCDP) is a cooperative agreement that builds the capacity of the 50 State Offices of Rural Health and rural stakeholders nationwide to better coordinate and improve rural health services.

All fifty states may apply. Each state may only submit one application. Only current SORH awardees, as designated by the Governor, may apply. SORHCDP: applicant is an organization that is national in scope with experience providing coordination and development to enhance the rural health infrastructure in each of the 50 states; federally recognized tribal Government and Native American Organizations eligible to apply.

Underserved populations in rural areas; facilities and services in rural areas.

All funds awarded are to be expended solely for carrying out the approved projects. SORH: This is a matching grant program with states to support the establishment and ongoing operation of Offices of Rural Health. While a wide range of activities can be conducted to address unique state needs, each State Office of Rural Health must: (1) Establish an information clearinghouse for collecting and disseminating information, (2) coordinate state and federal rural health programs throughout the state for the purpose of avoiding duplication, and (3) provide technical assistance that will improve participation in state and federal programs.

All funds awarded are to be expended solely for carrying out the approved projects. SORH: This is a matching grant program with states to support the establishment and ongoing operation of Offices of Rural Health. While a wide range of activities can be conducted to address unique state needs, each State Office of Rural Health must: (1) Establish an information clearinghouse for collecting and disseminating information, (2) coordinate state and federal rural health programs throughout the state for the purpose of avoiding duplication, and (3) provide technical assistance that will improve participation in state and federal programs.

Grant applications should be submitted for up to a 5-year project period. Subject to availability of funds, after initial awards, projects may be renewed non-competitively contingent upon submission and approval of an application, availability of appropriated funds, and awardee's satisfactory performance.

An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

SORH grant applications will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: (1) The extent to which the application is responsive to the requirements and purposes of the program; (2) the extent to which the applicant has developed measurable goals, objectives, and an evaluation plan for the required, and any discretionary, activities; (3) the extent to which the Office is coordinated with, and has the cooperation of, other health entities and activities within the state; (4) the strength of the applicant's plans for administrative and financial management of the Office; (5) the reasonableness of the budget proposed for the Office; and (6) the likelihood that the Office will be continued after federal grant support is completed. All other criteria are listed in the application guidance for SORH and SORHCDP.

Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Award.

6 months.

Awardees may request funding beyond an initial project period by submitting a competing continuation application during a regular competing application cycle. All competitive cycles are contingent upon availability of funds for such purposes.