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): $148,500

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

• Disseminated information on health care access issues to over 20 rural community health care advocates for use in a variety of programs, including capacity studies of dentists in Delaware, Primary Care Physicians in Delaware and Mental Health Professionals in Delaware.
• Collaborated with state partners to administer recruitment programs, including the National Health Service Corps, the Conrad State 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program, and the State Loan Repayment Program.
• Collaborated with the Delaware Rural Health Initiative (DRHI) to conduct a rural mental health conference for approximately 50 health care advocates on issues affecting the rural health care system in Delaware.
• Provided technical assistance to 100% of the rural community health centers on a routine basis.

SORH Contact Information:
Office: Office of Rural Health
Address: 655 S. Bay Road, Suite 206, Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302)741-2960
Fax: (302)741-2970
Director: Katherine Collison


Total HRSA Funding (FY06): $148,500