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 companies to communities in rural areas. Based on 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 can assist you be taught extra concerning the USDA’s DLT program, you’re invited to observe our current webinar on Empowering Rural Communities via Distance Studying and Telemedicine (DLT) the place we discover the alternatives DLT holds in your group.
“I wrote my first DLT software in 1998 to construct distance studying capabilities within the rural space the place I reside. Within the early 2000s, our household was instantly impacted by the life-saving energy of telemedicine made attainable by DLT. It’s a program that may be very close to and expensive to my coronary heart.”
—Jen Messinger, Public Funding Advisor
How the DLT program works for you
DLT enhances schooling companies by:
- Creating entry to twin enrollment or early faculty curriculum.
- Giving college or faculty educators the flexibility to succeed in their college students at distant campuses.
- Permitting faculty districts to collaborate with one another, share instructors, and enhance scholar entry to studying alternatives.
DLT enhances healthcare companies in rural areas by:
- Connecting rural hospitals to urbanized specialists in instances of disaster.
- Offering sufferers entry to specialists from their location.
- Enhancing the flexibility for healthcare professionals to entry coaching and schooling particular to their job.
- Guaranteeing distant sufferers have entry to high quality care.
How have you learnt in the event you’re undertaking is an effective match for DLT?
If in case you have an upcoming undertaking, there are two key questions you may ask to see if the DLT program may be the fitting alternative for you:
- First, is the undertaking 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 undertaking advantages are going to rural areas. Moreover, the USDA assigns particular issues to geographies. Every year, the particular issues 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 ought to be conscious that it’s going to embody particulars on particular issues for 2024.
Generally, there are some things you are able to do to organize in your journey, together with:
- Decide in case your undertaking goes to concentrate on schooling or healthcare (the USDA requires candidates to pick out a major space of focus).
- Speak to your companions concerning the disparities they’re dealing with when delivering (or receiving) companies in rural areas.
- Overview the DLT steering and workbook to delegate motion gadgets along with your workforce.
- Establish the communities the place it’s essential to present companies.
- Decide what expertise it’s essential to make the undertaking and go for it.
Funding quantity and timing
The DLT funds initiatives between $50,000 and $1,000,000. Candidates want to offer a 15% match. And it’s by no means too early to start out making ready. In truth, now’s the time to go to the USDA DLT website to be taught concerning the software course of, see previous funded initiatives, and monitor this system for upcoming bulletins. Though, as of at this time’s date, this system is closed it’s 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 workforce’s public funding specialists so you may maximize your alternatives. The Cisco Public Funding Workplace has years of expertise in consulting with organizations that must pursue grants for expertise. It’s simple to attach with us and we’ll be glad to point out you ways we are able to help with DLT and different grants. And remember to watch Empowering Rural Communities via Distance Studying and Telemedicine (DLT) at this time!
Extra assets
Share: