Deadline is Approaching for Emergency Rural Health Grants

​Rural hospitals and nursing home providers located in South Dakota communities of 20,000 people or less are encouraged to apply for the USDA Emergency Rural Health Care grant program designed to help broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance through food banks and food distribution. The deadline is October 12th.

Providers have two tracks to consider: 

TRACK 1 – Recovery Grants

Recovery funds must be used in correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic, and to support immediate health care needs, to help prepare for a future pandemic event, to increase access to quality health care services, or to support food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities.

TRACK 2 – Impact Grants

Impact Grant funds must be used in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and to advance ideas and solutions to solve regional rural health care problems to support the long-term sustainability of rural health care. Long-term sustainability is defined as “improved health outcomes, improved access to quality health care, and creating and maintaining sustainable economic development for small communities.”

To apply, contact your local Rural Development Office to discuss and submit your application.