DHHS Division/Office issuing this notice:   Office of Rural Health
 
Date of this notice:   December 2, 2019

Deadline to receive applications:   January 22, 2020
 
Working title of the funding program:   NC Farmworker Health Program 

Purpose: Description of function of the program and reason why it was created: 
The North Carolina Farmworker Health Program (NCFHP) is anticipating the receipt of federal funds to increase access to primary and preventive health care services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families in North Carolina. NCFHP grant awards are meant to supplement existing resources in communities and reduce barriers to care so that farmworkers and their family members have access to comprehensive and continuous health care services. NCFHP supports the development of sustainable services for farmworkers by encouraging local partnerships and collaborations to facilitate the inclusion of farmworkers in services that are available for the general community. 

Funding Focus: 
Funds may be used for enabling, medical, dental and behavioral health services for farmworkers and their families when these services are not otherwise available or if the existing services are not sufficient to respond to the demand. Because of the numerous barriers to care that farmworkers experience, NCFHP strongly supports the provision of quality enabling services including outreach, health education, case management, eligibility assistance and referrals to health care. 

Funding Preferences:
Preference will be given to applicants based on the following criteria listed below. 
•    Demonstrates a need for increased health care services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in their community;
•    Demonstrates capacity to effectively address barriers to care for farmworkers and provide quality services;
•    Demonstrates capacity to assist farmworkers in accessing health care services;
•    Proposes an efficient strategy that utilizes local resources and collaborates with other partners to respond to health care gaps that farmworkers face in their community; and,
•    Can meet NCFHP requirements and expectations outlined in this document. 

Proposed Project Period/Contract Term: 
April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021 (exceptions can be made to have a July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 project period)

Funding Availability:  
Awards will depend on the availability of funds. 

Eligible Applicants: 

• Free and charitable clinics
• Health departments 
• Hospitals 
• Rural health centers
• Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) 
• Non-profit community-based organizations

Deadline for Submission:  
Submissions are due to Elizabeth F. Lambar at elizabeth.freeman@dhhs.nc.gov by January 22, 2020.

Technical Assistance webinar: December 5, 2019 from 2-3 pm.  
Join Skype Meeting 
*If you have difficulty connecting to Skype, please call in to the conference line: 919-420-7945 and email Sara Gomez at sara.gomez@dhhs.nc.gov for a copy of the webinar slides. 
A recording of the webinar will be available on Monday, December 9, 2019 via our website: www.ncfhp.org. 

Application Checklist:

New applicants must submit the following to be considered for funding:

• A brief Letter of Interest submitted to elizabeth.freeman@dhhs.nc.gov by January 6, 2020
• Completed application for funding
• Completed budget (personnel, summary and justification tabs on required budget template)
• Signed assurances page   
• 2020 Goals table (to be disseminated upon receipt of Letter of Interest)

Renewal applicants must submit the following to be considered for funding:

• Completed application for funding
• Completed budget (personnel, summary and justification tabs on required budget template)
• Signed assurances page
• Continuous Quality Improvement & Goal Tables (to be disseminated week of January 6, 2020)
• Completed internal control questionnaire (both excel document and PDF with signature page)
• Proof of sufficient vehicle insurance if staff personal vehicles used for transporting patients

For questions about the grant application, please contact Ann Watson, 919-527-6470 or ann.watson@dhhs.nc.gov. 

For credentialing and privileging or clinical CQI questions please contact Dr. Gayle Thomas at gayle.b.thomas@dhhs.nc.gov. 

Grant Assurances
As a recipient of HRSA’s health center funding, NCFHP must abide by HRSA’s Health Center Program requirements, some of which are also expected of NCFHP grantees. As a program within the Office of Rural Health, NCFHP grantees must also abide by associated state requirements and expectations including connection to NC HealthConnex. To meet the state’s mandate, a provider is “connected” when its clinical and demographic information are being sent to NC HealthConnex at least twice daily.” For further information, please see the HIEA website:  https://hiea.nc.gov

All applicants must abide by the Farmworker Health Grant Assurances included with the grant application.

Budget Guidance

Applicants are required to use the NCFHP Budget Template for 2020-2021 provided with this application and should complete the personnel, summary and budget justification tabs. Budget guidance may be found within the excel document on the final tab. 

Documents:

2020-2021 NCFHP RFA
CQI and Goals tables for 2020-2021
NCFHP budget template for 2020-2021