Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program - Project Title: UM Health Extension Planning Project Applicant Name: University of Montana Applicant Type: Higher Education Institution Non-Profit Address: 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812 Website: https://www.umt.edu/umhm/ Project Director: Lily Apedaile, UM Health & Medicine Director Email: lily.apedaile@umontana.edu Contact Phone Number: 406-243-7946 Network Name: UM Health Extension Office Network Focus Area: Coordinated Rural Care Legislative Aims: 1, 2 and 3 Grant Funds Requested: $100,000 Target Population and Need: The target population is rural residents, living in Western Montana. Montana is a largely rural state with about 44% of the population living in a rural area. Currently, 54 of 56 counties in Montana are classified as medically underserved, as well as, health professional shortage areas. This creates gaps in healthcare services for many of Montana's rural residents. By planning for how to coordinate healthcare initiatives in Western Montana, the Health Extension Office Network will create efficiencies, conserve resources, and improve health outcomes for rural residents in Montana. The underserved population to be served are American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) people within the network area and rural Western Montana Residents. AI/AN and rural populations have historically poorer health outcomes, health disparities, and other inequities preventing them from accessing adequate health care. Proposed Project: The UM Health Extension Office Network is an innovative network between higher education, healthcare facilities, and public health entities with three planning goals: 1) Develop a plan for a formalized health extension office network with clear roles and responsibilities; 2) Determine the healthcare facility and community needs and available resources related to the care of rural residents that live in the Network area 3) Create a strategic plan addressing health care for rural residents in Western Montana in a way that is focused on rural healthcare needs, increasing access to care, and implementation of evidence-based practices to improve health outcomes for rural Montana residents. Proposed Service Areas: Flathead County, Montana; Lake County, Montana; Flathead Indian Reservation. Towns: Ronan, Polson, Bigfork, Pablo, Arlee, Elmo, Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Lakeside, St. Ignatius, and Hot Springs, Montana. Network Partnerships: Network members, include St. Luke Community Health, Logan Health, Western Montana Area Health Education Center, Lake City-County Public Health Department, Flathead City-County Public Health Department, and the Confederated?Salish?and?Kootenai?Tribes'?Tribal Health?Department. A total of 6 members; one federally recognized tribe, two city government departments, one nonprofit, and 2 nonprofit hospital systems. All members, 100%, serve the rural population in their service area and are located in an HRSA-designated rural area. UM Health & Medicine, the lead applicant, serves the Network in a support capacity. Western Montana Area Health Education Center (WMT-AHEC), a non-profit organization partner, will also serve the Network in a support capacity. Capacity to Serve Rural Underserved Populations: The University of Montana Health & Medicine (UMHM) is the connection hub for all health science and healthcare-related activities at the University of Montana and with our community partners across Montana. UMHM represents over 11 different academic units, 8 on-campus clinics, and 22 research labs and centers. The University of Montana has the most health science education programs in Montana which include physical therapy, pharmacy, behavioral health, and family medicine residency. Along with a large health science and biomedical science research focus through centers such as the Center for Population Health Research, Montana Public Health Training Center, and Center for Translational Medicine. The UMHM programs have an established track record of working
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).