State Offices of Rural Health Grant Program (SORH)

The goal of the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) grant program is to assist States in strengthening rural health care delivery systems by creating a focal point for rural health within each State. The program provides an institutional framework that links small rural communities with State and Federal resources to help develop long term solutions to rural health problems. The SORH grant program features a single grantee from each of the 50 United States. The program is a Federal-State partnership that requires a State funding match of $3 for each $1 of Federal funding.
SORH Award Amount (FY06): $ $146,400

Major Accomplishments in FY 2006 (October 1, 2005 – September 30, 2006)

1. Maintain a statewide listserve of approximately 400 rural stakeholders. To disseminate information upcoming events, rural research findings, funding opportunities. Utilize target mass mailing as needed to complement listserve distribution and website postings

2. Conducted the IHP 5th Annual Quality Improvement Conference, entitled “The Agony and the Ecstasy,” 6/29-30/2006, regarding clinic use of electronic medical records and quality assurance issues. Content was developed collaboratively by CalSORH, IHP, AIIHI, and California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB). There were 75 participants

3. Conducted the annual RHSD/SAMW technical assistance conference focusing on program updates, corporate compliance planning, and electronic medical records, emergency preparedness, 6/27/2006. There were 63 participants

4. In collaboration with CSRHA and NSRHN, CalSORH funded one tele-distance learning workshop regarding the use of health information technology in rural clinical practice. Entitled “Health Information Technology in Rural Clinical Practice: Using PDAs for Effective Care,” the conference was attended by 43 participants, with 20 broadcast sites throughout California 6/13/2006 (In the spring of 2007, CalSORH, CSRHA and NSRHN will again produce one distant-learning workshop, topic to be named. Broadcast range is again expected to be approximately 20 sites throughout California and possibly a few other western states)

5. CalSORH presented at one OSHPD technical assistance workshops regarding Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA), Medically Underserved Areas (MUA), and Medically Underserved Populations (MUP) training for DHS program eligibility: Mendocino, CA 3/28-29/2006

6. CalSORH conducted a Health Information Technology (HIT) presentation to the Rural Workforce Collaborative; Sacramento, CA, 7/5/2006

7. Presented at the California State Legislative Rural Caucus regarding key issues and potential solutions to address rural health care access in California; March 2006

8. Developed and delivered the annual CalSORH Rural Health Update at the 6th Annual California Rural Health Conference, On December 5, 2006, Sacramento, CA. This update presents a comprehensive analysis of California rural demographics, health and economic conditions. The information in this annual report is used by the rural constituents for grant writing and development of rural health policy.

9. CalSORH participated in the California Rural Health Conference steering committee and shared an information booth with OSHPD and Rural Health Policy Council (RHPC)

10. CalSORH provided funding for AIIHI education outreach. “Between Two Worlds” is a video addressing transition from living on the reservation to urban areas with focus on accessing medical and social services and developing coping social skills. A breastfeeding series is used to enhance home-visit outreach education for Native American mothers in isolated areas. The population was involved in the selection of materials

11. CalSORH provided funding to support OBBH’s 6th Annual Binational Health Week for health education materials; 10/7-15/2006

12. CalSORH posted four PRHCSB State rural grants funding applications, representing a total of $45 million, and various other Federal and private funding opportunities on the PRHCSB website, and listserve.

13. Standards and Guidelines for Healthcare Surge During Emergencies Updates:

• Winter 2006/07: Pricewaterhouse Coopers received CDPH grant award to serve as contract agency for developing the Surge Guidelines.
• Spring 2007: Statewide workgroup of healthcare partners was convened to compile and review contents/data for the Surge Guidelines. Emphasis evolved to include surge components foundational knowledge and guidelines for hospitals, alternative care sites, payers, clinics, long term care facilities and patients. Operational tools and training guides were also designated for development.
• Summer 2007: Guidelines were divided into two phases. Phase I drafted by PWC and CDPH staff.
• Fall 2007: Standards and Guidelines, Operational Tools and Training Guides for Phase I (foundational knowledge, hospitals and alternate care sites) will be released in December. Workgroup for Phase II was formed and began drafting content for clinics, long term care and patients.
• Winter 2007/08: Phase II will be developed.
• As part of the rollout for these documents, PWC and CDPH will provide training to assist with local implementation.

14. On 1/8/2007 the Governor instituted a “cold weather declaration” in response to California’s freeze that has affected 17 counties. CalSORH has partnered with Office of Emergency Preparedness in linking 343 primary health care clinics to centers where emergency measures have been instituted. Coordination is ongoing as assessments are analyzed. Visit www.OES.ca.gov and refer to 2007 Freeze-One Stop Assistance Centers

SORH Contact Information:
Office: Office of Rural Health
Address: 1501 Capitol Avenue Ste 71.6044, MS 8500 PO Box 997413 Sacramento, CA 95899-7413
Phone: 916-449-5770
Fax: 916-449-5777
Email: Sandra.Willburn@dhcs.ca.gov
Director: DHCS Sandra Shewry

1) Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program (Flex)

The Flex Program helps sustain access to high quality health care services in rural America. It facilitates the development and support of community-based collaborative rural delivery systems in all grantee States through conversion of hospitals to critical access status, development of rural healthcare networks and integration of EMS.
Flex Award (FY06): $414,000

Program Highlights:

• Number of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) supported: 25
• Number of Critical Access-eligible Hospitals supported: 9
• Number of Rural Health Networks developed: 5
• Number of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) assisted: 7
• Number of Rural Communities assisted: 4

Major Accomplishments:
1. In collaboration with the California Hospital Association, hosted a Rural Health Care Symposium for over 100 participants that provided hospital board leadership and financial reimbursement trainings for rural health clinic and hospital staff; conducted a surge and disaster planning session for rural hospitals, and distributed the FLEX Evaluation Summary Report during a CAH administrator networking session.
2. In collaboration with the California Association for Healthcare Quality, conducted a Rural Hospital Quality Conference for approximately 50 rural Chief Nursing Executives, Quality and Risk Management professionals, and medical staff.
3. Provided funding for a CAH Needs Assessment survey to determine the CAH’s level of readiness for Telemedicine and eHealth Services. Twenty-four CAHs were surveyed and data developed for State Rural Health Planning activities.
4. In response to CAHs’ request for licensing & certification technical assistance on the Appendix W Regulations, provided funding for development and distribution of a CAH Mock Survey Tool. The Mock Survey Tool was presented at a CAH teleconference and distributed to all CAHs on a CD.

2) Small Rural Hospital Performance Improvement Grant Program (SHIP)

The goal of SHIP is to assist small (less than 50 beds) rural hospitals pay for any or all of the following: 1) costs related to implementation of prospective payment systems, (2) compliance with provisions of HIPAA and 3) reduction of medical errors and quality improvement. State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) help eligible rural hospitals to participate in SHIP. Eligible hospitals submit an application to their SORH; the SORH prepares and submits a single grant application to HRSA on behalf of all hospital applicants in the State. There are approximately 1600 eligible hospitals nationwide and each usually receives approximately $9,000.
SHIP Award (FY06): $428,832

Program Highlights:

• Hospitals receiving funding: 46
• Hospitals in consortiums, networks or systems: 3
• Hospitals using funds for QI and /or reduction of medical errors: 33
• Hospitals using grant funds for Health Information Technology: 18

Major Accomplishments:
1. Established a SHIP information sharing process of “Best Practices” within the quarterly CAH teleconferences.
2. Development of a statewide rural hospital QI plan in collaboration with the State’s Quality Improvement Organization, (QIO), Lumetra and the state hospital association.

3) Outreach Grants
1. Avalon Medical Development Corporation: $ 149,120
2. Lindsay Unified School District: $150,000
3. Mendocino County Health Department: $200,000
4. Tulare Local Healthcare District: $150,000

Total HRSA Funding Primary Rural Health Division (FY06): $989,232
Total HRSA Funding Outreach (FY06): $649,120
Total HRSA Funding Statewide (FY06): $1,638,352