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 schooling and healthcare providers to communities in rural areas. In keeping with the USDA, this funding is supplied to assist rural communities join with one another and past as they search to beat the impacts of their distant places and low populations.
That will help you be taught extra concerning the USDA’s DLT program, you’re invited to observe our latest webinar on Empowering Rural Communities by 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 pricey to my coronary heart.”
—Jen Messinger, Public Funding Advisor
How the DLT program works for you
DLT enhances schooling providers by:
- Creating entry to twin enrollment or early school curriculum.
- Giving college or school educators the power to succeed in their college students at distant campuses.
- Permitting college districts to collaborate with one another, share instructors, and improve 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 schooling particular to their job.
- Making certain distant sufferers have entry to high quality care.
How are you aware when you’re venture is an efficient match for DLT?
When you have an upcoming venture, there are two key questions you possibly can ask to see if the DLT program may be the best selection for you:
- First, is the venture in a rural space?
- Second, is there a excessive degree of poverty?
DLT makes use of census information to evaluate rurality and poverty to make sure venture advantages are going to rural areas. Moreover, the USDA assigns particular concerns to geographies. Annually, 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. Once they do, you need to be conscious that it’ll embody particulars on particular concerns for 2024.
Basically, there are some things you are able to do to arrange on your journey, together with:
- Decide in case your venture goes to deal with schooling or healthcare (the USDA requires candidates to pick a major space of focus).
- Discuss 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 gadgets along with your staff.
- Establish the communities the place it’s good to present providers.
- Decide what expertise it’s good to make the venture and go for it.
Funding quantity and timing
The DLT funds initiatives between $50,000 and $1,000,000. Candidates want to supply a 15% match. And it’s by no means too early to begin making ready. In actual fact, now could be the time to go to the USDA DLT web site to be taught concerning the software course of, see previous funded initiatives, and monitor this system for upcoming bulletins. Though, as of right this moment’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 reap the benefits of our staff’s public funding specialists so you possibly can maximize your alternatives. The Cisco Public Funding Workplace has years of expertise in consulting with organizations that must pursue grants for expertise. It’s straightforward to attach with us and we’ll be glad to indicate you ways we will assist with DLT and different grants. And you’ll want to watch Empowering Rural Communities by Distance Studying and Telemedicine (DLT) right this moment!
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