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): $150,000.00

Major Accomplishments in FY 2006 (October 1, 2005 – September 30, 2006):
MORH developed comprehensive county profiles for every county (115) in the state.
MORH developed a partnership with a newly organized work group of rural EMS providers.
MORH provided technical assistance to three rural communities facilitating access to Primary Care Resource Initiative for Missouri (PRIMO) funding.
MORH assisted with (5) health care professional placements in rural Missouri originating from 3Rnet referrals, and utilizing the Practice Sites, internet-based placement software.

SORH Contact Information:
Office: Missouri Office of Rural Health
Address: 920 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO. 65102
Phone: (573)751-6219
Fax: (573)522-8146
Email: Barbara.brendel@dhss.mo.gov


2) 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): $415,000.00

Program Highlights:

• Number of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) supported: 20
• Number of Critical Access-eligible Hospitals supported: 33
• Number of Rural Health Networks developed: 18
• Number of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) assisted: 1
• Number of Rural Communities assisted: 7

Major Accomplishments:
A new rural health plan advisory group was established, in collaboration with the
Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA).
MORH, in collaboration with the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA), identified 18 new hospitals considering conversion to CAH status.
Six workshops for training and technical assistance were held.
MORH contracted with Missouri Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) to implement the Missouri Comprehensive Advanced Life Support (MoCALS) program.
A quality improvement (QI) program assessment was performed at each of Missouri’s CAHs.

3) 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): $372,684.00

Program Highlights:

• Hospitals receiving funding: 44
• Hospitals in consortiums, networks or systems: 0
• Hospitals using funds for QI and /or reduction of medical errors: $250,249.00
• Hospitals using grant funds for Health Information Technology: funding for HIT is not broken down in the required progress reports.

Major Accomplishments:
69% of grant dollars were used to reduce medical errors and support quality improvement. 29% of grant dollars were used to support the HIPPA requirements.

Total HRSA Funding (FY06): $937,684.00