COVID-19

NRHA COVID-19 Technical Assistance Center

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Purpose


Those living in rural communities often face barriers to achieving healthy lives, stemming from economic factors, environmental differences, and feelings of isolation associated with living in remote rural areas. With the presence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, these challenges have been exacerbated, thus revealing a critical need for increased rapid response efforts.
 

NRHA’s Rural COVID-19 Technical Assistance Center has been created with the support of CoBank to provide strategic steps that will lend support and address the needs of rural health care providers and organizations. NRHA will assess and triage needs from across the country, to ensure that rural communities are equipped with the necessary knowledge, connections, and resources throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Read NRHA's April 2021 rural COVID-19 relief summary for information on the extensive pandemic advocacy efforts achieved by NRHA members and staff.
 

 

Impact


This new effort will support the needs of rural providers and communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and assist rural health care organizations in obtaining Personal Protection Equipment and other essential medical resources. This critical and timely assistance will help those fighting in the rural frontlines of this pandemic.
 

NRHA will ensure this positive impact through financial assistance, as well as operational and supply needs. For example, this Technical Assistance Center will provide guidance on Small Business Association (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and relief fund opportunities, and address needs for financial consultations.

Additionally, NRHA looks to facilitate and manage the logistics of working between the hospitals and PPE and testing supply distributors. This is being accomplished through various partnerships and collaborations, with organizations such as Project N95Project C.U.R.E., and NRHA Platinum Partner Intalere.

 

Resources 


Please consider accessing these resources for additional assistance and information:

NRHA has teamed up with the Chartis Center for Rural Health to examine the process of providing COVID-19 vaccinations to rural hospital staff. We encourage you to take a few minutes to offer your perspective so best practices can be shared.


NRHA has developed a survey to guage the supply of specific pieces of personal protective equipment within rural facilities. Participate in NRHA's COVID-19 PPE supply survey so that we may better coordinate discounted group purchasing efforts that benefit rural facilities in need.

View all relevant COVID-19 resources provided to the association on NRHA's COVID-19 resources page.

Read the NRHA Technical Assistance Center COVID-19 position paper.

Read the NRHA COVID-19 Technical Assistance Center press release.