State Offices of Rural Health Grant Program (SORH)

The goal of the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) grant program is to assist States in strengthening rural health care delivery systems by creating a focal point for rural health within each State. The program provides an institutional framework that links small rural communities with State and Federal resources to help develop long term solutions to rural health problems. The SORH grant program features a single grantee from each of the 50 United States. The program is a Federal-State partnership that requires a State funding match of $3 for each $1 of Federal funding.
SORH Award Amount (FY06): $150,000

Major Accomplishments in FY 2005 (October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005):

1. Cosponsored and assisted the Hawai'i State Rural Health Association (HSRHA) with the implementation of the 5th annual State Rural Health Association Conference. Over 100 people attended.
2. Worked with HSRHA to develop a website devoted to rural health issues specific to Hawai'i.
3. Participant in the Workforce Hui, a statewide collaboration of groups seeking to address issues concerning healthcare workforce in the state.
4. Provided technical assistance to 22 communities on issues from improving communications, leadership development, and grant writing.

SORH Contact Information:

Office: Office of Rural Health
Address: P.O. Box 1675
Honoka'a, HI 96727
Phone: (808) 775-8883
Fax: (808) 775-8889
Email: sorh@mail.health.state.hi.us
Website: www.hawaii.gov/health/family-child-health/rural-health/index.html
Director: R. Scott Daniels, PhD

Other Grant Programs

1. Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program (Flex)

The Flex Program helps sustain access to high quality health care services in rural America. It facilitates the development and support of community-based collaborative rural delivery systems in all grantee states through conversion of hospitals to critical access status, development of rural healthcare networks and integration of EMS.
Flex Award (FY05): $500,000

Program Highlights:

• Number of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) supported: 9
• Number of Critical Access-eligible Hospitals supported: 0
• Number of Rural Health Networks developed: 0
• Number of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) assisted: 1 (State Funded EMS System
• Number of Rural Communities assisted: 22

Major Accomplishments:

• Implementation of the Balanced Scorecard in all critical access hospitals (CAH).
• Conducted quarterly educational meetings for CAH administrators, business office personnel, and head clinical personnel on such topics as performance improvement, recruitment and retention, and disaster preparedness.
• Hosted a statewide CAH education conference. Over 90 people attended.
• Worked in collaboration with the University of Hawai'i's Telecommunications and Information Policy Group (TIPG), the Technology Hui, and Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation to begin development of an interoperable electronic health records (EHR) system based upon VistA Office/EHR to be used initially in CAHs and clinics on the island of Kaua'i.
• In collaboration with TIPG, developed a plan for conducting health information technology (HIT) assessments in each of the state's CAHs.
• Provided stipends for training to 14 individuals from CAHs and rural hospitals.
• Provided technical assistance for the conversion of three hospitals to CAHs.
• Provided technical assistance for the CAHs in the areas of strategic planning, community outreach, and performance improvement.

2. Small Rural Hospital Performance Improvement Grant Program (SHIP)

The goal of SHIP is to assist small (less than 50 beds) rural hospitals pay for any or all of the following: 1) costs related to implementation of prospective payment systems, (2) compliance with provisions of HIPAA and 3) reduction of medical errors and quality improvement. State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) help eligible rural hospitals to participate in SHIP. Eligible hospitals submit an application to their SORH; the SORH prepares and submits a single grant application to HRSA on behalf of all hospital applicants in the State. There are approximately 1600 eligible hospitals nationwide and each usually receives between approximately $9,000.
SHIP Award (FY 05): $84,060

Program Highlights:

• Hospitals receiving funding: 9
• Hospitals in consortiums, networks or systems: 5
• Hospitals using funds for QI and /or reduction of medical errors: 9
• Hospitals using grant funds for Health Information Technology: 6

Major Accomplishments:

1. Disbursed funds to hospitals.
2. Provided assistance on appropriate use of funds by hospitals.

Total HRSA Funding (FY 05): $734,060