Rural Reporter

  • Gov. Evers Extends Mask Mandate to Nov. 21
    Governor Tony Evers declared a new public health emergency in Wisconsin and has extended the statewide mask mandate until November 21, citing an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases, particularly on college campuses. The order was set to expire on Monday. Evers issued the new public health emergency order even as his authority to issue the mandate is being challenged in court. Since the school year started, the state has seen a surge in cases, especially among 18 to 24-year-olds. Wisconsin is now experiencing unprecedented, near-exponential growth of COVID-19.
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  • DHS Report: Suicide Rates Higher in Rural Areas
    A new report from the Department of Health Services says suicide continues to grow as a public health issue in Wisconsin. The suicide rate grew by 40% from 2010-2017. The suicide rate was highest among individuals ages 45-54 and higher in rural counties than in urban and suburban counties. A firearm was the most commonly used method of suicide.
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  • Essential Visitor Guidance for Nursing Homes
    Since mid-March 2020, visitor restrictions have been in place in Wisconsin nursing homes and nationwide in order to help mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Recognizing the critical role family members and other close friends have in the support of residents, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has create a new “Essential Visitors” program. DHS recommends that nursing homes develop a process to designate certain individuals as Essential Visitors, a person who the resident sees regularly and depends on for emotional support. Nursing homes are not required to implement an Essential Visitors program, but the guidance provides recommendations for those facilities that choose to do so. DHS will regularly monitor the effect Essential Visitors are having on the disease activity in nursing homes and will adjust the guidance accordingly.
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  • Medicaid Cases Swell as Pandemic Rolls On
    The number of people on Medicaid has spiked during the pandemic. Caseloads had risen on average 8.4% through July in 30 states for which researchers have enrollment data. The growing demand for Medicaid is colliding with the diminished ability of states to pay for it. Some state legislatures are eyeing Medicaid cuts as a way to address budget deficits. State governments are eliminating benefits such as optometry for adults, physical therapy, and dental care. Wisconsin is one of only 12 states that has not accepted Medicaid Expansion. Accepting the expansion would allow 80,000 Wisconsinites to qualify for BadgerCare. 
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  • UW System to Keep Students on Campus
    The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has moved all classes online for two weeks after a spike in students testing positive for the coronavirus. UW-River Falls joins UW-La Crosse and UW-Madison in pausing in-person classes since September 9. Despite the high positivity rates for the campuses, UW Systems Interim President Tommy Thompson told Wisconsin Health News that closing campuses for the rest of the semester was not on the table. Sending students home now would only spread the virus to other communities across the state, he said. Thompson is not at all surprised at how quickly cases grew. “I think we’re doing a good job. I think we’re doing an excellent job, as a matter of a fact,” Thompson said.
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  • CMS Launches New CHART Model (Deadline: 02/16/2021)
    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model. The CHART Model will test whether upfront investments, predictable payments, and operational and regulatory flexibilities will enable rural health care providers to improve access to high quality care while reducing health care costs. There are two options in this model: the Community Transformation Track and the Accountable Care Organizations Transformation Track. Funding »
  • USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program (Deadline: 09/30/2020)
    The USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding to assist in the economic development of rural areas, including funds for healthcare facilities and equipment, telecommunications networks, and job creation projects. The local utility applies to USDA for funding support on behalf of specified local projects. Eligible applicants are former Rural Utilities Service borrower who borrowed, repaid or pre-paid an insured, direct, or guaranteed loan; nonprofit utilities that are eligible to receive assistance from the Rural Development Electric or Telecommunication Programs; and current Rural Development Electric or Telecommunication Programs borrowers. Funding »
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize (Deadline: 10/15/2020)
    The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize elevates the compelling stories of places where residents are working together to transform education, jobs, transportation, housing, and more so better health flourishes for all. A Culture of Health recognizes that where we live—such as our access to affordable homes, quality schools, good jobs, and reliable transportation—affects how long and how well we live.  Funding »
  • RFA for Flu Vaccination Outreach (Deadline: 09/28/2020)
    Wisconsin DHS has published its request for applications for the Improving Influenza Vaccination Rates through Community Outreach grant. DHS intends to award the $950,000 grant, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to 5–10 organizations, each receiving up to $200,000 depending on the scope of work proposed.  Funding »
  • TRAVEL Grants for Wisconsin Tourism Industry (Deadline: 09/28/2020)
    Tourism is one of the state’s largest industries and was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Evers announced the launch of the Tourism Relief to Accelerate Vitality and Economic Lift (TRAVEL) stimulus grant program on Monday. The grants are aimed to support local operations impacted by COVID-19 and to fund marketing efforts that promote health and safety for travelers and resident consumers of tourism during the pandemic. The Department of Tourism is accepting applications until September 28, 2020. Funding »
  • Wisconsin Chronic Disease Prevention Program Grant (Deadline: 09/28/2020)
    The Wisconsin Chronic Disease Prevention Program announced the availability of up to $250,000 in funding to support the expansion of community health workers and coordinated systems of care through the Pathways Community HUB model. The funding opportunity is intended for Wisconsin-based, IRS tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, community coalitions, or government agencies. Funding »
  • Phase 2 distribution of CARES Act Provider Relief Funds (Deadline: 08/03/2020)
    The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has extended the application window for Phase 2 distribution of CARES Act Provider Relief Funds. Providers that participate in state Medicaid/CHIP programs, Medicaid managed care plans, or provide dental care, and have not yet received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund General Distribution (Phase 1) are eligible to apply. Funding »
  • Kent Richard Hofmann Foundation Grants for HIV/AIDS Education (Deadline: 08/28/2020)
    The Kent Richard Hofmann Foundation awards grants to community-based organizations providing care and direct services, education, and/or research in the areas of HIV and AIDS. Grants support both developing and established programs, with an emphasis on direct benefit to clients or target audiences. The foundation has an interest in smaller communities and rural areas. Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Funding »
  • Tribal commercial Tobacco Cessation Grant (Deadline: 08/28/2020)
    The National Indian Health Board will provide funding for Tribal governments, Tribal health departments, and Tribal healthcare facilities to implement evidence-based commercial tobacco cessation projects, electronic nicotine delivery systems cessation, and "quit smoking" campaigns. Funding »
  • Railroad Trespassing Suicide Prevention Grant Program (Deadline: 08/10/2020)
    The U.S. Department of Transportation provides grants for outreach campaigns to reduce the number of railroad-related suicides that involve railroad trespassing. Addressing the disproportionately high fatality rates on rural transportation infrastructure is of critical interest. Eligible applicants must be either a suicide prevention organization or a railroad carrier. Funding »
  • Tribe and Tribal Organizations Education and Outreach Programs for Dental Health Aide Therapy (Deadline: 07/20/2020)
    The National Indian Health Board will provide grants to support education and outreach on Tribal dental therapy programs. The overall goal of the program is strengthening efforts and launching new efforts to enhance federal, state, and Tribal policies supportive of dental therapy within the Indian Health System. Eligible applicants include federally-recognized Tribes, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations.     Funding »
  • Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project Grant (Deadline: 06/24/2020)
    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced it will provide funding for the Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project. The goal of the funding is goal is to examine communications barriers and identify solutions that enhance existing emergency communications infrastructure to improve the delivery of rural medical care. Eligible applicants include public or state-controlled institutions of higher education.  Funding »
  • Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Grant (Deadline: 06/23/2020)
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest more than $7 million to create regional frameworks for stress assistance programs, training, and services that connect individuals in agriculture-related occupations to stress assistance programs. Eligible applicants are collaborative state, local, tribal, and regionally-based networks of qualified public and/or private entities. Funding »
  • Health Professions Loan Assistance Program (Deadline: 09/15/2020)
    The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health has opened the application period for the Health Professions Loan Assistance Program and the Rural Physician Loan Assistance Program. Health care professionals (physicians, psychiatrists, dentists, dental hygienists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives) in Wisconsin can receive up to $50,000 in education loan assistance through the Health Professions Loan Assistance Program. Eligibility criteria apply. Funding »
  • USDA Telemedicine in Rural Areas Grant (Deadline: 07/13/2020)
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make 200 awards of up to $1 million each to enable and improve distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas. Funds support the use of telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. Eligible applicants include local and tribal governments, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and independent school districts. Funding »
  • Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin Grant (Deadline: 06/30/2020)
    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin has teamed up with United Way of Marathon County to create the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. This fund will provide flexible funding for organizations working in the community who are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. Funding »
  • USDA's Rapid Response to Novel Coronavirus Impacts Across Food and Agricultural Systems Grant (Deadline: 06/04/2020)
    The USDA has announced a Rapid Response to Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Impacts Across Food and Agricultural Systems grant opportunity. Applications should include strategies and knowledge that can be rapidly implemented to minimize or eliminate COVID-19 impacts on the nation’s food and agricultural systems. Eligible applicants include local and tribal governments, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education.  Funding »
  • Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for Farmers (Deadline: 08/28/2020)
    The USDA's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program provides direct relief to farmers and ranchers who faced price declines, supply chain disruptions, and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19. Payments are subject to a per person and legal entity payment limitation of $250,000. Funding »
  • Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project (Deadline: 06/24/2020)
    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced it will provide funding for the Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project. Eligible applicants include public or state-controlled institutions of higher education. Funding »
  • Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund (Deadline: )
    The National Volunteer Fire Council is expanding its Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund to provide stipends to fire and EMS personnel who have lost jobs or wages due to COVID-19 related illness, quarantine, or volunteer response activities.  Individuals can receive up to $350 if they have suffered over a $500 loss.  There is no deadline, but you must apply within 60 days of the loss. Funding »
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