Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program - Rural Health Network Development Planning Program: Opportunity number HRSA-25-037 Network Planning Project Disability Access to a System of Health (DASH) Applicant Organization Information University of Kentucky Research Foundation 500 South Limestone, 109 Kinkead Hall, Lexington, KY 40526-0001 on behalf of the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health (UKCERH) 750 Morton Blvd., Hazard, KY 41701 Rural Health Center/Academic https://medicine.uky.edu/centers/ruralhealth/ Designated Project Director Information William Mace Baker Interim Director University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health, 606-439-3557, mace.baker@uky.edu Legislative Aim(s) Achieve efficiencies: Conducting community health and/or provider needs assessments at the regional and/or local level: Develop and implement a needs assessment in the community; Identify the most critical need of network members to ensure their viability: Identify additional collaborating network members in the community/region; Identify and develop a plan to address workforce issues; or a. Identify financial resources or gaps that are available for support services. b. Identifying opportunities for the network better to address regional and/or local population health needs. Expand access to and improve the quality of basic health care services and health outcomes: Developing a network, which may include: o A formal memorandum of agreement or understanding (MOA/MOU); o A shared mission statement; o The roles and responsibilities of the network members. Identifying the degree to which the network members are ready to integrate their functions and share resources Develop a plan to expand training quality for workers in direct contact with individuals with disabilities in the community and healthcare system. Strengthen the rural healthcare system Identifying ways to encourage cross-organizational collaboration and leadership commitment. Assessing the networks sustainability and viability. Identifying and establishing ways to obtain regional and/or local community support/buy-in around the development of the network. Focus Area The UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health focuses on assessing the benefit and feasibility of an integrative training program for healthcare workers who serve individuals with mental and physical disabilities. Proposed Service Region Rural Appalachian Kentucky Counties- Edmonson, Garrard, Hart, Floyd, Green, Harlan, Greenup, Jackson, Johnson, Carter, Knott, Boyd, Elliott, Knox, Fleming, Laurel, Bath, Lawrence, Bell, Lee, Breathitt, Leslie, Clay, Letcher, Clinton, Lewis, Casey, Lincoln, Adair, McCreary, Cumberland, Madison, Clark, Owsley, Estill, Nicholas, Magoffin, Pulaski, Martin, Pike, Menifee, Robertson, Metcalfe, Rowan, Monroe, Rockcastle, Montgomery, Russell, Morgan, Whitley, Perry, Wayne Population to be Served According to the CDC (2024), nearly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S.about 61 million have a disability, including difficulties with hearing, vision, cognition, mobility, self-care, and independent living. Kentucky's disability rate is 34%, exceeding the national average of 28.7%, with southeastern Appalachia reaching 52%. Disability-related healthcare comprises 41% of Kentucky's annual expenses, and individuals with disabilities are three times more likely to face heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure. They often experience lower screening rates and lack accessible medical equipment. Significant barriers include limited resources, unsuitable equipment, building inaccessibility, and insufficient understanding of their needs, particularly in rural areas. Funding Preference Our project qualifies for the health professional shortage area (HPSA) funding preference, which would impact 54 of Kentuckys 120 counties. Of the 54 counties that will be surveyed and examined, 54 (100%) are identified as an HRSA shortage designation area.
