Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program - Applicant Information: Organization: Arkansas Rural Health Partnership Address: 111 N. Court Street, Lake Village, AR 71653 Facility/Entity Type: Non-profit health entity Website: arruralhealth.org Designated Network Director Information: Mellie Boagni Bridewell, President & CEO Phone Number: 870.265.6553 E-Mail: melliebridewell@arruralhealth.org Network Planning Project: Rural Arkansas Health Workforce Advance Legislative Aim(s): #1: Achieve efficiencies Network Planning Program Examples: Create regional (4) and state-level strategic plans to strengthen the rural health workforce. Focus Area: The focus area is the rural health workforce. Proposed Service Region: Rural Arkansas. Fully rural counties: Fulton, Randolph, Clay, Izard, Sharp, Lawrence, Greene, Stone, Independence, Jackson, Poinsett, Mississippi, Van Buren, Cleburne, White, Woodruff, Cross, St. Francis, Lee, Phillips, Prairie, Monroe, Arkansas, Desha, Chicot, Lincoln, Drew, Ashley, Cleveland, Bradley, Grant, Dallas, Calhoun, Union, Ouachita, Nevada, Columbia, Hempstead, Lafayette, Howard, Sevier, Little River, Franklin, Johnson, Pope, Conway, Logan, Yell, Perry, Scott, Polk, Montgomery, Pike, Clark, Hot Spring, Carroll, Boone, Marion, Baxter, Madison, Newton, Searcy; Partially rural counties: Craighead (001000), Saline (010506), Lonoke (020500, 020400), Jefferson (000102, 002300), Garland (012001, 012002), and Benton (021002, 021201, 021101, 021202, 021102, 021301) Target Population: Population Group(s) Served: Rural residents. Subpopulation of focus: rural residents of working age (adults age 16 and above) throughout Arkansas, including new entrants to the workforce, and displaced and incumbent workers. Underserved Populations: Rural Arkansas residents experience high rates of poverty and a lack of access to needed resources (public transit, education, healthcare), which impacts educational and health outcomes and, in turn, length and quality of life. The lack of a local health workforce significantly impacts the availability and provision of local healthcare services throughout rural Arkansas. Network Members: Network includes 3 non-profit health entities (Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, Rural Health Association of Arkansas, Community Health Centers of Arkansas) and a non-profit (Winthrop Rockefeller Institute). Three out of four network members of the proposed project (75%) are physically located in an HRSA-designated rural area. All network members have demonstrated their commitment to the project and future efforts by signing a Memorandum of Agreement. Experience in Serving Rural Underserved Populations: Located in the heart of the Arkansas Delta, ARHP has served rural Arkansas since 2008. The non-profit health entity is recognized throughout the region, state, and nation for innovative programs and services that improve the health & wellness of rural residents while strengthening rural health infrastructure. ARHP members span the service area and drive local efforts (18 rural hospitals, 3 teaching institutions, 2 federally qualified health centers, and 90+ hospital-owned/affiliated clinics). Proposed efforts will support the strategic and sustainable growth of critical rural health workforce initiatives, which will directly benefit the local target population by increasing the availability of accessible and affordable training and education, good jobs, economic equity, and diversity in the rural health sector throughout Arkansas. The local target population will be engaged through state and regional planning meetings, focus groups, and additional methods as needed (i.e., ARHP roundtable and task force meetings). Funding Opportunity: The applicant organization learned about the funding opportunity via Other methods (HRSA/FORHP presentation). Funding Preference: ARHP is located in a health professional shortage area (HPSA) and requests a funding preference based on Qualification 1: HPSA. For supporting documentation, see Attachment 8.
