Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program

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The legislative purpose of the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program (Network Planning) program is to expand access to, coordinate and improve the quality of essential health care services and enhance the delivery of health care, in rural areas. The program provides 1 year grants to rural entities to plan and develop a formal health care network. Grant funds typically are used to acquire staff, contract with technical experts, and purchase resources to build the network (funds cannot be used for direct delivery of health care services). Successful grantees often apply for the 3 year Network Development implementation grant to continue the work they started under the Network Planning grant. Network Planning grantees use the planning grant to lay the foundation of a rural health network by: Identifying potential collaborating network partners in the community/region; Convening potential collaborating network partners Conduct planning activities Begin carrying out network activities, including to promote the network's sustainability. In addition to the activities mentioned above, for the 2010 application cycle, projects can also focus on community needs assessments, HIT readiness and Economic Impact Analyses. By helping rural providers develop formal integrated health care networks, the Network Planning program supports multiple HHS, HRSA, and ORHP goals and objectives, including improving the health care system, access to care, the continuity and quality of care, and the financial viability of health care providers in underserved areas.

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