July 08, 2009 DHH Offers Grant to Improve Primary Health Care Services

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jul 08, 2009 - BATON ROUGE— The Department of Health and Hospitals’ Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health is offering grants to medically underserved, rural and urban areas to expand access to primary care services.

 LDH has released application guidelines for the Community-Based and Rural Health Program Grant.  These guidelines are available to download at www.pcrh.dhh.louisiana.gov.

 Individual awards of up to $75,000 are available to public and non-profit groups located in rural areas, health professional shortage areas or areas identified in Act 162 from the 2002 First Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana Legislature.  Act 162 is a bill aimed at impacting health care in Louisiana’s rural and urban underserved communities, and outlines a strategic plan for increasing access to and the quality of care in these areas.   

 Proposed projects should expand, enhance or strengthen access to quality primary care services or school-based health centers.  Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate components of the medical home system of care such as evidence-based, patient-centered care; coordination of care across multiple providers; disease management; quality improvement initiatives and health information technology.

 A maximum of $30,000 is available for capital improvements, equipment and technology regardless of the project’s focus.

 “Each year, the Community-Based and Rural Health program grant is updated to reflect current priorities and initiatives of the department,” said Gerrelda Davis, director of the Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health.  “This year, one of our top priorities is investing in projects that increase access to primary care services that are truly viable and sustainable.”

 Letters of intent are due by close of business on July 17, and the application deadline is 5 p.m. on July 31.

 Applications can be mailed to P.O. Box 3118, Baton Rouge, La, 70821.  Applications can also be submitted electronically in a Word or PDF file to sheree.taillon@la.gov with “CBRH Application” in the subject line.

 Applications will be reviewed by a committee.  Funding decisions will be based on recommendations from the committee’s evaluation and scoring of the applications. 

 The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about LDH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov.

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