The Delta States Rural Development Network Program has once again issued
guidance. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri in relation to their Delta States Counterparts, these States have
two regional service areas. These regional services will allow the Delta Grantee Program to sustain greater and more efficient
impact across a larger geographical distance wherein multiple grantees will be awarded to address prevalent health care issues
and disparities. Regions were defined, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri selected their service region, and had
a choice to apply in Option 1 – Apply for Service Region A only or in Option 2 – Apply for Service Region B only.
HRSA applicants could only apply for one service region for the grant funding opportunity. This included the county in which
it is located, meaning the applicant organization must be located in its specified service region. This stipulation does not
restrict cross region collaboration as this is highly encouraged to foster awareness of prospective Delta grant activities
with any given State.
Applicants were also able to request funding for innovation
projects under the new guidance. Up to five awards of $100,000 per year will be awarded to the applicant organization for
these innovation projects. The purpose of the innovation project is to address several key areas as identified by the HRSA
and the Office of Rural Health Policy’s Strategic Plan within the Delta Region. These monies will be added to the base
level of funding for the applicant, and should be used to fund new and expanded services surrounding on the three areas:
1. Quality
2. Health Information Technology
3. Innovative methods to increase access to prescription
drugs for the medically indigent.
