Have you ever heard concerning the USDA’s Distance Studying and Telemedicine (DLT) program? In 2023 the U.S. Congress appropriated $60 million to DLT to be used by organizations that present training and healthcare providers to communities in rural areas. In accordance with the USDA, this funding is offered to assist rural communities join with one another and past as they search to beat the impacts of their distant areas and low populations.

That can assist you study extra concerning the USDA’s DLT program, you’re invited to look at our current webinar on Empowering Rural Communities via Distance Studying and Telemedicine (DLT) the place we discover the alternatives DLT holds on your group.

“I wrote my first DLT software in 1998 to construct distance studying capabilities within the rural space the place I stay. Within the early 2000s, our household was immediately impacted by the life-saving energy of telemedicine made attainable by DLT. It’s a program that could be very close to and expensive to my coronary heart.”

—Jen Messinger, Public Funding Advisor

How the DLT program works for you

DLT enhances training providers by:

• Creating entry to twin enrollment or early school curriculum.
• Giving college or school educators the power to achieve their college students at distant campuses.
• Permitting college districts to collaborate with one another, share instructors, and enhance pupil entry to studying alternatives.

DLT enhances healthcare providers in rural areas by:

• Connecting rural hospitals to urbanized specialists in occasions of disaster.
• Offering sufferers entry to specialists from their location.
• Enhancing the power for healthcare professionals to entry coaching and training particular to their job.
• Making certain distant sufferers have entry to high quality care.

How have you learnt for those who’re undertaking is an efficient match for DLT?

You probably have an upcoming undertaking, there are two key questions you’ll be able to ask to see if the DLT program could be the fitting alternative for you:

• First, is the undertaking in a rural space?
• Second, is there a excessive stage of poverty?

DLT makes use of census knowledge to evaluate rurality and poverty to make sure undertaking advantages are going to rural areas. Moreover, the USDA assigns particular concerns to geographies. Every year, the particular concerns change, however prior to now Tribal lands, Enterprise Zones, STEM, and Opioid Disaster Response have been areas of particular consideration. The USDA hasn’t revealed 2024 steering but. After they do, you need to be conscious that it’ll embody particulars on particular concerns for 2024.

Normally, there are some things you are able to do to organize on your journey, together with:

• Decide in case your undertaking goes to give attention to training or healthcare (the USDA requires candidates to pick out a main space of focus).
• Speak to your companions concerning the disparities they’re dealing with when delivering (or receiving) providers in rural areas.
• Assessment the DLT steering and workbook to delegate motion objects together with your staff.
• Establish the communities the place it’s worthwhile to present providers.
• Decide what expertise it’s worthwhile to make the undertaking and go for it.

Funding quantity and timing

The DLT funds tasks between $50,000 and $1,000,000. Candidates want to offer a 15% match. And it’s by no means too early to begin making ready. The truth is, now could be the time to go to the USDA DLT website to study concerning the software course of, see previous funded tasks, and monitor this system for upcoming bulletins. Though, as of immediately’s date, this system is closed it is going to have an software window in 2024.

Keep in mind, we’re right here to assist!

We urge you to benefit from our staff’s public funding consultants so you’ll be able to maximize your alternatives. The Cisco Public Funding Workplace has years of expertise in consulting with organizations that have to pursue grants for expertise. It’s straightforward to attach with us and we’ll be glad to point out you the way we will help with DLT and different grants. And be sure you watch Empowering Rural Communities via Distance Studying and Telemedicine (DLT) immediately!

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