The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is awarding some $5.3 million in grants to expand the rural Health Information Technology (HIT) workforce, and for the use of telehealth to improve mental health services for veterans in rural areas.
Close to $4.4 million will go to rural organizations in 15 states to recruit and train current health care staff, local unemployed workers, rural veterans, and other potential students to meet the technology needs of rural hospitals and clinics, says the agency. Community colleges will work with local rural health care providers to develop rural-focused HIT training programs.
A total of $900,000 will be awarded to Maine, Montana, and Alaska to improve the quality of mental health and other critical healthcare services for veterans living in rural areas. Each state will receive $300,000 to enhance crisis intervention services through telehealth technologies.
The grants, funded by HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration, are part of an ongoing collaboration between HHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Health Resources and Services Administration is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA is the primary Federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable.
Update: 11-27-13