Monday, November 25, 2024
11/25/2024
Overview The State of Delaware is honored to be celebrating the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 35 anniversary (1987-2022) as a national provider for State Loan Repayment Program grants. Delaware Health Care Commission (DHCC) is proud to administer and operate Delaware State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) for over 20 years, in close collaboration with other private/public entities across the State. In consideration of the current Coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, Delaware’s Governor, John C. Carney, followed recommendations and data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, implemented required mandates to ensure the safety of Delawareans, and provided funding for various communities across the state. Like many other states, however, Delaware, continues to experience provider shortages across most categories of health workforce and has deployed several cross-functional initiatives targeting improvements for social determinants of health and the State Health Improvement Plan; one of these improvement efforts being a robust loan repayment program facilitated by DHCC. Measurable Objectives Delaware anticipates awarding 48 health care providers with funding obtained through SLRP and continuing a 20-year trend of recruiting and retaining practitioners in underserved communities across Delaware. Expand partnership opportunities with educational institutions and underserved communities. Clinical Priorities Delaware’s does not have a state medical or dental school to create an in-state pipeline for health workforce development, however, through affiliated partnerships with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Sidney Kimmel Medical College (Thomas Jefferson University), an ever expanding push to grow residency programs at major health systems, and establishing branch campuses in state, allows Delaware to recruit health care providers earlier in the educational pipeline. DHCC supports efforts to build a much needed infrastructure to closely monitor, track, and project healthcare workforce data. The first report from this system is scheduled to be released in 2022. These efforts will work collaboratively to transform Delaware’s workforce by targeting precise needs statewide. DHCC collaborates with varying governmental and non-governmental organization to effectively operate loan repayment programs. In addition to tackling the opioid crisis, Delaware also has aggressive approaches to improving mental health care, implementing a value-based care delivery system, strengthening healthcare through telehealth, addressing Social Determinants of Health, and taking a closer look at maternal mortality. Workplan Delaware SLRP operates on a core team of government employees; DHCC’s Executive Director and a Program Manager. The Executive Director steers the direction of the Delaware SLRP and ensures the overall vision of the program aligns with healthcare efforts across the state. The Program Manager is responsible for daily operations of the program; applications process, contract management, fiscal operations, and engagement activities. This is possible with support from a broad network of community and healthcare partners. During the grant period starting September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2026, Delaware anticipates retaining this structure to effectively implement a robust program statewide. Utilizing best practices learned from 20+ years of operating SLRP, Delaware expects to have a successful grant period.
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).
