This week, the Department of Health (DOH) announced the availability of a total of $1.5 million to provide grants in support of projects that invest in new community infrastructure to expand telehealth access. Funded projects should expand access to telehealth among Medicaid-eligible individuals as well as low-income, minority, rural, older, and other underserved communities that lack connectivity, audiovisual, or remote patient monitoring devices or private spaces necessary to access telehealth. Applications are due by 4 p.m. ET on Jan. 18, 2022.

Projects may include, but are not limited to:

1. the creation of “community telehealth hubs” that are accessible to underserved communities and contain a private, connected, and device-equipped space to facilitate a telehealth encounter, which may be located at such places as a public library, social service agency, food pantry, local health department, or homeless shelter;
2. the purchase or renovation of a telehealth-equipped van or similar vehicle;
3. the purchase of telehealth equipment for individual use at an originating site; and/or
4. other innovative activities to increase access to telehealth among communities that experience connectivity gaps.

The grant opportunity can be viewed here. Members, including long term care and aging services providers, Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), and housing providers, are encouraged to apply for funding.

Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-929-9342