Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program (RHSE)

Grants to USA qualified IHEs for rural health education programs, including those that focus on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Funding is intended to support programs and projects serving families and individuals that aim to reduce and prevent opioid misuse, other substance abuse, and the infection and transmission of SARS-COV-2. The RHSE program supports quality of life in rural communities across the United States by addressing the relationship between rural prosperity and rural health and safety in the context of food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences.

The anticipated amount for awards in FY 2021 is approximately $4,000,000;approximately $1,000,000 of which will be for competitive external grants for eligible institutions to support the utilization of telehealth, telemedicine, and distance learning strategies for education and training in minority rural communities related to opioids or preventing spread of SARS-CoV-2 and in mitigating infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2

The RHSE program addresses the health and well-being of rural America through supporting the development and/or implementation of projects focused on:

1.  Individual and family health education programs with specified contents; 
   
2. Rural health leadership development education programs to assist rural communities in developing health care services and facilities and assist community leaders and public officials in understanding their roles and responsibilities; and
3. Farm safety education programs to provide information and training to farm workers, timber harvesters, and farm families.

In FY 2021, NIFA is soliciting applications for RHSE in the area of Individual and Family Health Education.

The RHSE program proposals in the individual and family health education area are expected to be health education projects that provide individuals and families living in rural areas with:

• Information as to the value of good health at any age;
  
• Information to increase individual or families’ motivation to take more responsibility for their own health, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic or SARS-CoV-2 pandemic;
• Information about and access to health promotion activities;
• Information to support the utilization of telehealth, telemedicine, and distance learning strategies for opioid education and training in minority rural communities.
• Training for volunteers and health services providers concerning health promotion and health care services for individuals and families in cooperation with state, local and community partners.

Proposals submitted to the RHSE program in FY 2021 may focus on the prevention and/or reduction of opioid misuse and abuse per Congressional guidance for this program. Proposals may also focus on helping prevent spread of SARS-CoV-2 and in mitigating infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

More information about eligible programs can be found at https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/rfa/FY-2021-Rural-Health-and-Safety-Ed-RFA-508.pdf#page=9.