Health Center Regulatory Issues

Two New HRSA Funding Opportunities

We wanted to let you know about 2 new funding opportunities recently announced by HRSA.

The first opportunity, the Mental Health Expansion and Behavioral Health Integration Grant<http://www.grants.gov/view-opportunity.html?oppId=250757>, requires applicants to submit proposals for up to $250,000 that will enhance access to behavioral health services and/or develop fully integrated behavioral health – primary care service delivery models by the end of an initial 2-year project period.   As a key element of the proposed project, applicants must demonstrate that at least one new on-site Full Time Equivalent behavioral health provider(s) (employed or contracted) will be in place within 120-days of the award.  HRSA expects approximately $50 million will be available for this opportunity and plans to award approximately 200 awards.  Applicants must submit project abstracts and budget information from the SF-424 by March 3, 2014, with full grant applications due April 3, 2014.  HRSA will hold a TA call on this opportunity on Feb 10, 2014 at 3pm eastern.

The second opportunity, the PCMH Facility Improvement Grant<http://www.grants.gov/view-opportunity.html?oppId=250811>, is a one-time only grant of up to $250,000 to support new alteration and renovation activities and/or new construction costs that will facilitate the establishment of a Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) model and lead to improvements in the delivery of care and patient access at an active delivery site included in the applicant’s existing federally-approved scope of project at the time of submission.  Applicants do not have to be PCMH-certified in order to apply for funds.  HRSA expects approximately $35 million in funding to fund approximately 150-175 awards.  Applicants must submit project abstracts and budget information by March 14, 2014, with full grant applications due April  17, 2014.  HRSA will hold a TA call on February 18, 2014 at 3pm eastern.

Neither grant opportunity is available to health centers that received initial Section 330 funding as a New Start organization in either FY 2013 or FY 2014.