Appalachian Region Healthcare Technical Assistance Center (ARH-TAC)

Award Details:

• Total Grant: $4.5 million over three years
• Annual Support: Up to 6 rural healthcare organizations per year receive approximately $150,000 in technical assistance plus up to $50,000 in software and equipment support

Geographic Scope:

• Rural counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission (Appalachian region)

Eligible Applicants:

• Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs)
• Small rural hospitals
• Rural health clinics
• Tribal healthcare facilities
• Other healthcare organizations located in HRSA-defined rural areas within the Appalachian region

Focus Areas:

• Financial status assessment and analysis
• Market share evaluation
• Quality indicators review
• Local human services and service gap identification
• Clinical area expansion opportunities
• Best practice implementation for healthcare service improvements
• Operational and financial performance improvement
• Healthcare service delivery improvements

Support Services Provided:

• Objective analysis of financial status, market share, quality indicators, and service gaps
• Identification of clinical areas for service expansion
• Best practice recommendations in action plans
• Consulting from nationally recognized experts with 125+ years collective rural hospital experience
• Support for planning and implementing healthcare service improvements

Background:
Rural healthcare organizations in the Appalachian region face significant challenges including lower patient volumes, outdated infrastructure, workforce shortages, geographic isolation, low reimbursement rates, and uncompensated care burden. Many serve as the sole healthcare provider in their communities.

Contact Information:

• Email: ARHSupport@rhrco.org
• Website: www.rhrco.org/arh-tac

Application Process

Rural healthcare organizations interested in this customized technical assistance should:

1. Visit the Program Website: www.rhrco.org/arh-tac
2. Contact the Program: Email ARHSupport@rhrco.org for more information
3. Eligibility Confirmation: Verify your organization is located in rural counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission
4. Express Interest: Reach out to the program to discuss your healthcare service improvement needs

Application Details:
Specific step-by-step application procedures, required materials, and narrative questions are not detailed in the available content. Organizations should contact ARHSupport@rhrco.org for complete application requirements and procedures.