Rural Health and Primary Care

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What’s New in Rural Health

Stay Updated on the Latest Developments

Welcome to the latest updates from the Rural Health & Primary Care Program! Here, you'll find the most current announcements, resources, and opportunities impacting rural healthcare in Maine. Recent highlights include the launch of innovative tools, funding opportunities, and event recaps. Check back regularly for the latest information as we transition older updates into the categorized sections below.

Featured Updates

Spring Newsletter

The RHPCP is pleased to release the 2025 Spring Newsletter (PDF). The newsletter lists various news, upcoming events, and resources including funding opportunities that will be valuable to your facility. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Erica at erica.dyer@maine.gov.

Introducing Our New Newsletter

We’re excited to launch our Rural Health and Primary Care Program Newsletter, designed to keep you informed about the latest updates, initiatives, and resources aimed at improving healthcare access in Maine’s rural communities. Each edition will feature important news, upcoming events, success stories, and insights into our ongoing work with healthcare providers, partners, and stakeholders across the state. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, community leader, or advocate, our newsletter will provide valuable information to help you stay connected and engaged in the critical work of rural health. Here you’ll find our first issue (PDF), and make sure to check back for future editions!

NERHA Rural Data Analysis Dashboard Launched

The New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) has unveiled the Rural Data Analysis Dashboard, a powerful mapping tool designed to explore health disparities across New England. With nearly 200 data points covering demographics, social determinants, maternity services, and more, this tool is invaluable for rural health professionals, students, and researchers. Users can create customized maps, download data, and generate PDF reports for advocacy, research, and more.
Learn More and Access the Dashboard

FY2025 J-1 Conrad Waiver Season Open

The FY2025 J-1 Conrad Waiver season has officially begun! The preselection form opened on October 1st. Interested applicants and stakeholders can access resources below to learn more about the program and application process:

Programs

Northern Border Regional Commission J-1 Program

Applications for Specialist Physicians open on April 1, 2024. Updated guides now include new specialty care requirements.
Access the NBRC Guide (PDF) | Read Press Release (PDF)

Loan Repayment Program for Behavioral Health Providers

Applications for the Loan Repayment Program will open on October 16th, 2024 at 9:00 AM and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible providers are encouraged to read the announcement (PDF) closely and ensure all documents, including the Verification of Educational Debt Form (PDF) and Data Form (PDF), are prepared before the application opens. Applicants should complete as many Verifications of Education Debt Forms as needed to describe all relevant educational debt. The data form's purpose is to make applicants aware of the types of questions that they will be asked during the application. Therefore, this form does not need to be uploaded during the application.

Apply Here

Upcoming Webinars and Events

2025 Independent Rural Health Clinic Institute

You’re Invited to join Stroudwater Associations and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) for a free four-part institute focusing on Chronic Care Management for independent RHCs. All independent RHC staff are welcome to join this event.

The course will begin on Tuesday, July 8th and will feature four live sessions and office hours. The topics include:

  • Care Management in the RHC
  • Using Population Data to Drive Care Management
  • Medicare’s Chronic Care Management (CCM)
  • Care Planning and Best Practices

For more information and to register.

2025 Rural Health Student Summit

Join the New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) for an engaging and inspiring day at the Rural Health Student Summit, a unique opportunity designed specifically for students passionate about making a difference in rural health care. 

The free Summit will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. 

For more information and to register.

Learning Series on Obstetric Readiness

The five-part series is geared toward obstetric readiness for emergency medical services and emergency departments in rural and under-resourced communities, identifying opportunities for collaboration between EMS, hospital EDs, and community networks of support. The series includes recommendations specifically for rural EMS and EDs, with innovative strategies such as telehealth and mobile care units.

Register https://saferbirth.org/aim-resources/communities-of-learning/cols-2022-2023/ now to attend any or all of the sessions, each 75 minutes long via Zoom, taking place from June 25 to August 13.  In the first session, experts will summarize the challenges to obstetric care in rural communities and identify community resources to support pregnant and postpartum patients.  The series is hosted by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) with funding administered by HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.  It builds on previous HRSA-funded work, the AIM Obstetric Emergency Readiness Resource Kit.

Demystifying RCM and ROI for Telehealth

NERHA and the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center (NETRC) invite you to join them for a free, one-day workshop designed to unpack the complexities of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) and Return on Investment (ROI) in telehealth. 

This in person or virtual event will take place on Monday August 22, 2025 from 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM. If attending in person, the event will be at MCD’s headquarters at 105 Second St. Hallowell, ME. 

For more information and to register.

Upcoming National Rural Health Executive Educational Series

Need Help Winning Rural Grants?

The New England Rural Health Association announces an exciting new Rural Grant Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TA/CB) program funded by the HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. TA/CB services are available free to rural organizations within the Northern Borders Commission Region of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York State. 

The program kicks off with an introductory webinar on January 23rd from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. - Register Here

The TA/CB program is designed to help small or fledgling rural organizations identify, compete for, secure, and administer grant-funded programs promoting rural health and wellness.

NERHA welcomes Ashley Mills as a Technical Assistance subject matter expert, bringing over 15 years of experience working in Maine communities and extensive expertise in holistic program development, management, and success. Ashley's unique perspective comes from her success on all sides of the grant process—as an applicant, an awardee, a reviewer, and a site visitor with HRSA programs. Her holistic approach to program design and development has supported many types of nonprofit organizations.

The webinar will introduce NERHA's new comprehensive TA/CB support services, designed to meet organizations at their current grant readiness level. Ashley will share insights on navigating complex funding systems and building sustainable programs. Participants will help shape the program's future offerings by sharing their organizations' specific needs around grant strategy, development, and management. Drawing on her experience with both federal and community-based funding, Ashley will outline how NERHA can support its rural health constituents in building stronger grant programs together. 

We are pleased to share with you information about an upcoming webinar series designed for healthcare professionals working in rural settings. This two-part event will focus on practical de-escalation strategies to help address and prevent workplace violence.

Webinar Series: Navigating Workplace Violence: A Webinar Series on De-escalation Strategies for Healthcare Professionals

Dates & Times:

  • Part 1: February 20, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (ET)
  • Part 2: March 20, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (ET)

For more details and to register, please visit: Home - Navigating Workplace Violence: A Webinar Series on De-escalation Strategies for Healthcare Professionals (ME#447/950)

2024 3RNET Academy

The 2024 3RNET Academy begins on October 8th and runs biweekly through December 17th. Our office has sponsored your attendance, so you can register and attend at no cost. This year's sessions cover Recruitment Processes, Retention Strategies, and Mission & DEIB Initiatives to strengthen your workforce.

Healthcare executives and HR professionals serving Maine's rural and underserved populations are encouraged to participate.

Register Here with Code: RecruitMaine2024

Funding Opportunities

HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program

HRSA has released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to enhance behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and young adults.

  • Total Funding: $59.6 million across 101 grantees over four years
  • Eligible Applicants: Public and Private Institutions, Hospitals, Rural Clinics, and Nonprofits
  • Deadline: January 21, 2025, 11:59 P.M. ET
    Learn More and Apply

Resources 

Rural Northern Border Region Healthcare Support Technical Assistance Center

A collaboration of five organizations with unique expertise formed to provide a comprehensive catalog of technical assistance services throughout the rural Northern Border Region, inclusive of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. The Northern Border Region Technical Assistance Center (NBR-TAC) is comprised of partner organizations with vast experience in rural health, and these partners include: 

  • Rural Health Redesign Center Organization
  • New England Rural Health Association
  • Rural Health Value
  • Stroudwater Associates
  • Wellness Equity Alliance

Funded through a Cooperative Agreement from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and in partnership with the Northern Border Region Commission (NBRC), we will be leveraging our collective experience and a strong commitment to improving the lives within our rural communities.

Our technical assistance (TA) services will include, but not limited to, assisting organizations in preparing for Value-Based Care delivery, leadership coaching, strategy planning support, support for improving access to care including behavioral health and substance use disorder services, and workforce development- with emphasis on recruitment and retention. At least one community within each of the four states will receive technical assistance from the NBR-TAC each year for the next three years. 

The services provided by the NBR-TAC are supported by funding from HRSA and are at no cost to our end-point stakeholders. Preparing rural communities for the future through appropriate and innovative technical assistance is the goal of the RHRCO and its consortium partners to support the goals of the Northern Border Region Commission and HRSA

For additional information, visit www.RHRCO.org/nbr-tac

Immigration Pathways for Recruitment Webinar

Missed our recent webinar on recruitment strategies for foreign-trained physicians? You can still access the slides and recording to catch up on this valuable session.
View Slide (PDF) | Contact Erica Dyer  Erica.dyer@maine.gov for recording

New Northern Border Regional Commission J-1 Waiver Program Webinar

The Rural Health and Primary Care Program recently hosted a webinar on the new Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) J-1 Waiver Program. 

View Slides (PDF) | View Recording - Passcode: b!u^2evs | NBRC J-1 Waiver Program Guide (PDF)

Kids Count Data Book 2023

This year’s Kids Count Data Book highlights critical indicators like child poverty, child welfare, and teen mental health.
Read the Data Book (PDF)

Patient Centered Medical Home Presentation

Kristen Ogden, RN, from the Compliance Team, recently delivered a presentation on the Patient Centered Medical Home to Maine’s Rural Health Clinics.

View Recording - Passcode: M=8AW@kw. | View Slides (PDF)

Regulatory Updates Presentation

Kate Hill, RN, from the Compliance Team, recently gave a presentation on Regulatory Updates to Maine’s Rural Health Clinics.

View Recording - Passcode: Crp0ZH.$

Listening Session on Statewide Rational Service Areas

Thank you to everyone who attended the Listening Session on the Statewide Rational Service Areas. For those who were unable to attend or would like to rewatch, the session was recorded:

View Recording -  Passcode: cv0zZv$4 | View Slides( PDF) | View Discussion Handouts (PDF)

3RNET

3RNET has recently launched their 3RNET PLUS TOOLS. Please follow this link (PDF) for a one pager with information on the 3RNET PLUS TOOLS including a video.