The purpose of the PRIMECARRE health care workforce and
community support grant program is to support community efforts which are part
of the community's long-term community health services assessment and
developmental plan. The application process is based upon the department's
strategic plan. A community or region applying for assistance must complete a
community health services assessment and adopt a long-term developmental plan.
The community may request assistance with the assessment from the department.
The community's or region's plan shall include, to the extent possible, a clear
commitment to informing high school students of the health care opportunities
which may be available to such students. The grant assistance may be in the
form of a forgivable loan, grant, or other nonfinancial assistance as deemed
appropriate by the center for rural health and primary care. Grants or other
assistance provided by the center are intended to promote and accommodate local
creativity in efforts to recruit and retain health care professionals to
provide services in the locality. Notice of the availability of these public
funds shall be published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin in accordance with
641-Chapter 176.
(1)Eligibility. The
following requirements must be met in order to be eligible for the program:
a. The community or region must have
illustrated efforts to meet the health care provider needs of the locality and
surrounding area.
b. The community
or region must have completed a community health services assessment and
adopted a long-term developmental plan as established herein.
c. Participation in a community health
services assessment process shall be documented by the community or
region.
(2)Funding. Grants awarded
under the program shall be awarded to rural, underserved areas or special
populations as identified by the department's strategic plan or evidence-based
documentation.
(3)Use of
funds. Funds may be used for the following:
a. The procurement of clinical equipment,
clinical facilities, and telecommunications facilities.
b. Support for locum tenens arrangements and
primary care provider mentor programs.
c. Other capacity-building activities as they
relate to recruitment and retention of primary health care providers.
(4)Matching
funds. Applications submitted may contain a commitment of matching
funds for the grant assistance.
(5)Application process.
Applicants for grant funds must complete application forms provided by the
department. Application materials shall be made available by the department at
least 45 days prior to the application due date. Grant applications will be
issued in accordance with 641-Chapter 176.
(6)Selection criteria and review
process. Selection criteria will be based on illustrated efforts to
meet the health care provider needs of the locality and surrounding area.
Selection criteria and the process for evaluation of applications shall be
described in the application materials provided by the department. A
competitive grant application review committee shall be appointed by the
administrative head of the center for rural health and primary care. Grants
will be awarded according to review criteria developed by the center, in
accordance with 641-Chapter 176.
(7)Notice of grant award.
The department shall notify all applicants of the decision of grant
awards.
(8)Appeals. Applicants with
a denied request for funding may appeal the decision of grant awards. The
appeal shall be made in writing to the director, Iowa department of public
health, within 10 days of the notification date of the grant awards decision.
The appeal shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or
delivered by personal service. The decision of the director of public health
becomes the department's final action and shall be sent by certified mail,
return receipt requested, or delivered by personal service within 14 days of
the receipt of the appeal.
(9)Grantee oversight. The
department shall monitor the use of funds granted to communities to ensure
accountability and conformance with legislative intent. Oversight processes
shall be described in the application materials provided by the
department.
