Saturday, April 19, 2025
4/19/2025
Rural Northern Border Region Outreach Program - Address: 43 Whiting Hill Rd., Brewer, ME 04412 Type: Rural Health Care System Website: https://northernlighthealth.org/ Project Director Name & Title: Erin Hammond, Talent Acquisition Specialist Phone: 207-879-3426 E-Mail: ehammond@northernlight.org Other Key Staff Name & Title: TBD, Student Success Navigator Project Title: Rural Northern Maine Respiratory Therapy Program (RNMRTP) Project Goal: To support & strengthen matriculation, retention, graduation, & successful employment of participants from a CoARC accredited respiratory therapy (RT) program serving rural northern Maine. Objectives: -To formalize RNMRTP network to ensure a strong, multi-sector, consortium committed to building & sustaining the project. -To support KVCC's CoARC program to increase availability via a hybrid remote & in-person modality with a focus on student support, retention, & sustainability. -To implement & enhance a coordinated outreach and recruitment program to educate diverse/underserved populations about the Respiratory Therapy (RT) profession & the available RNMRTP. -To hire & onboard Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) in rural health care settings with a focus on retention & professional growth. Proposed Service Area: Target service area of five fully rural Maine counties located in the rural Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) region: Hancock, Kennebec, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Aroostook. Area that will be positively impacted by this project spans nine Maine counties in NBRC region: Aroostook, Hancock, Washington, Knox, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Somerset, Kennebec, and Waldo. Target Population: RNMPTP population to be served individuals with respiratory health needs living in the service area. RNMRTP will recruit and train target population of young adults & adults in service area who are interested in securing RT education & employment. Focus Area : This project addresses the significant need for respiratory therapy services in Maine's rural northern border communities. Signed MOU Healthcare & Healthcare Education Consortium Partners: Northern Light (NL) Eastern Maine Medical Center, NL A.R. Gould Hospital, NL Blue Hill Hospital, NL C.A. Dean Hospital, NL Inland Hospital, NL Mayo Hospital, NL Maine Coast Hospital, NL Sebasticook Valley Hospital, Northern Light Health (NLH), Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC), Northern Maine Community College (NMCC). Submission of this application (incl. Attachment 6) serves as an attestation that at least 66% of consortium members are located in a HRSA designated rural area. Project Activities: RNMRTP will recruit individuals to participate in training to become RRTs. Participants will receive support in accessing RT education at KVCC's CoARC accredited program. Participating network organizations will receive help to participate in or to develop an “earn to learn” program wherein existing or new employees can receive an education while maintaining employment within the health care organization. Participating students will be supported by a Student Success Navigator (SSN) to address & overcome barriers to their education. Outcomes: Increased # of RRTs and RT services in service area. Increased efficiencies in rural healthcare. Increased RNMRTP sustainability. Capacity to serve underserved populations: All 11 RNMRTP partners have signed the MOU & have formal & informal partnerships. All are located in the NBRC region and serve the target area & population described above in the provision of health care and health care education. 81.8% of partners are HRSA designated rural and all have local boards and committees. Applicant NLH is Maine’s only integrated health care system and has long-standing experience in support of rural health care provision. NLH learned about this funding opportunity via a HRSA News Release. Applicant is eligible for a funding preference based on Qualification 2: MUC/MUP and documentation is included in Attachment 10.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).