Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program - PROJECT ABSTRACT Applicant Organization Information • Tri-Area Community Health, 14168 Danville Pike, Laurel Fork, VA 24352 • Community Health Center / Federally Qualified Health Center • https://www.triareahealth.org/ Designated Project Director Information • Howard Chapman, Jr., Project Director, 276-398-2292; hchapman@triarea.org Project Track • Regular Network Planning Grant Track Network Planning Grant Project • Carroll / Grayson/ Galax Network Legislative Aim • Aim #1: Achieve Efficiencies • Aim #2: Expand Access to, Coordinate, and Improve the Quality of Basic Health Care Services and Associated Health Outcomes • Aim #3: Strengthen the Rural Health Care System as a Whole Focus Area • The Carroll / Grayson / Galax Network’s focus area is Expanding Access to Affordable Health Care Services Proposed Service Region • In Southwest Virginia, Carroll County, Grayson County, and the City of Galax – all of which are classified as rural Population to be Served • The Network will serve residents of Carroll County, Grayson County, and the City of Galax • The Network will focus on underserved individuals who have historically suffered from poorer health outcomes, health disparities, and other inequities, including rural residents, people with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, and those who do not speak English well or at all Network Members • In addition to Tri-Area Community Health, the Network Members are the Free Clinic of the Twin Counties (free clinic), Mount Rogers Community Services (community mental health center), and Mount Rogers Health District (department of health). • All Network members are located in a HRSA-designated rural area • All Network Members are ready to use the grant as an opportunity to collaborate, coordinate, and maximize resources as well as develop a sustainable approach to continue the Network after the grant has ended Experience in Serving Rural Underserved Populations • All Network Members are located in rural areas and have been providing services to underserved individuals for many years individually, have collaborated in various ways over time, and enthusiastically support the development of this Network • Rural underserved populations in the service area will benefit from the Network in numerous ways, including through improved coordination of care during the grant period and more resources in the future; they will be involved in the development and ongoing operations of the Network through existing Partner avenues (e.g., satisfaction surveys) and through a newly developed Community Advisory Board that includes organizational and patient representatives Funding Preference • Based on the HRSA “Find Shortage Areas by Address” analysis, the Network meets the qualifications for the Health Professional Shortage Area and the Medically Underserved Area funding preferences.
