The Department of Health’s (MDH) Office of Rural Health and Primary Care issued a Request for Proposals (RFPs): Health Information Technology Advisory Services for one or more vendors to provide professional technical advisory services related to a variety of health information technology purchases funded through its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The vendor will play a critical role in advising MDH on appropriate health information technology (HIT) purchases on the part of RHTP subgrantees and how to create an effective monitoring program for oversight of these purchases. Subgrantees will include rural hospitals, rural clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers/community mental health centers, rural Tribal nations and potentially other local organizations that participate in patient care and/or support patients’ health-related social needs. Responses are due no later than 12:00 pm on April 20. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

The state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) includes dedicated funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) and Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), allocating 2% of the state’s ~$193 million award in Budget Period 1 across 16 eligible entities. These organizations can access formula-based, noncompetitive grants to support initiatives that expand access to behavioral health, strengthen workforce capacity and improve care coordination in rural communities. A specific Notice of Grant Opportunity (NOFO) has been issued for CCBHCs/CMHCs, with an informational webinar scheduled for April 1 (1:00 pm–2:00 pm). Additionally, applicants can request technical assistance through April 20. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.