The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is pleased to share updates regarding the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Modernization Initiative, which seeks to better serve the needs of patients and families.

HRSA’s planned approach and timelines for the first year of the multi-year modernization process focuses on design, implementation, and oversight.

The following phases are planned for 2023 – 2024:

• Phase 1: OPTN Modernization Design and Strategy Development. In summer 2023, HRSA will conduct market research to inform development of future contract solicitations and host an Industry Day event for interested parties and vendors.
• Phase 2A: OPTN Transition Management and Competitive OPTN Transition Contracts. In fall 2023, HRSA will focus on maintaining uninterrupted access to the critical systems and functionality that support organ matching and transplantation during the modernization process. HRSA will also release a solicitation to support and enhance OPTN operations while the modernization process is underway.
• Phase 2B: OPTN Modernization Implementation and OPTN Next Generation Contacts. In spring 2024, HRSA intends to release a solicitation to support the next generation of the OPTN, which will include enhancements in technology, governance, data transparency, and operations. The OPTN Next Generation contracts will provide a comprehensive approach to modernizing the OPTN’s foundational IT systems.

HRSA is committed to transparency in the OPTN Modernization process and will continue to provide updates on our approach toward achieving enhanced accountability, equity, and performance in the organ transplantation system.

For more details, visit www.hrsa.gov/optn-modernization.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary of Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA will host a series of webinars on two new Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) programs. The Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) and Empowering Rural America (New ERA) programs are brand new initiatives that will expand clean, affordable, and reliable energy in rural communities (including U.S. territories and Compact of Freely Associated States).

USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is launching these two programs under the IRA by making nearly $11 billion in budget authority available in loans, grants, loan modifications, and partially forgivable loans. This will help electrify rural America with clean, affordable, reliable energy and enhance the quality of life in rural communities.

USDA staff will hold the webinars via Zoom at the following dates and times:

RUS update on IRA funding:

• May 17, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET |  Register for May 17

Overview of funding available through IRA: May 22, 24, 31 and June 1, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET

• Register for May 22
• Register for May 24
• Register for May 31
• Register for June 1

Additional webinars will be scheduled and announced soon.

The Biden-Harris Administration championed the Inflation Reduction Act to help provide new funding and unprecedented incentives to expand clean energy, transform rural power production, create jobs, and spur new opportunities for the people of rural America. It is the largest single investment in rural electrification since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

For more information, visit the Inflation Reduction Act website.

To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.

Almost 12,000 people have received support from the Hotline’s professional counselors during the first year, “You’ve made me feel heard and that there’s hope for me.”

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) celebrates the first anniversary of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.  Since its launch on Mother’s Day 2022, the hotline’s professional counselors have provided emotional support, resources, and referrals to almost 12,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals who struggled with mental health concerns, and their loved ones.

Additionally, HRSA is introducing an updated toll-free number for the Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). The former number (1-833-9-HELP-4-MOMS or 1-833-943-5746) will continue to work for another year.

“Every mother or mother-to-be, across our nation, should have access to the help and support they need to be healthy. This hotline is one way our Administration is prioritizing maternal health and wellness,” said Vice President Kamala Harris.

“The first year of this hotline service marks a significant milestone in people having immediate access to mental health support and community-based resources during and after pregnancy,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The hotline is key method that the Biden-Harris Administration is strengthening both maternal health and mental health.”

“Being pregnant or caring for a child can bring many new challenges and the Maternal Mental Health Hotline is here to help,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. “The hotline is available 24/7, via call or text, to make reaching out and getting help as easy as possible for mothers and their families. I urge any mom who is struggling or feeling alone to call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA to get the help and support you deserve.”

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential emotional support, resources and referrals before, during, and after pregnancy. The hotline is accessible by phone or text in English and Spanish and offers interpreter services in more than 60 languages. Hotline counselors include licensed health care providers such as nurses or doctors, licensed mental health clinicians, certified doulas or childbirth educators, and certified peer support specialists.

During the first year:

• Hotline counselors responded to nearly 12,000 calls (70%) and texts (30%).
• The majority of individuals contacting the hotline were seeking help for themselves (76%), while 5% of individuals were calling on behalf of someone else, like a family member or friend.
• The top reasons for reaching out to the hotline were, 1) feeling overwhelmed, 2) depression, and 3) anxiety.
• The average speed to answer was below 30 seconds (telephone calls 23 seconds, texts 16 seconds).
• One caller stated, “I suddenly don’t feel like I’m drowning. I’m going to be okay. I hope people understand that it does help.” Another caller shared, “You’ve made me feel heard and that there’s hope for me.”

HRSA encourages all community-based providers, including health care and social service providers, early childhood and family support workers, and faith-based organizations, to help spread the word about the new number, 1-833-TLC-MAMA. New promotional materials are available for download or print order.

Expecting and new parents who feel overwhelmed or are experiencing depression and anxiety, as well as their loved ones, should reach out to the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for support and resources. Help is just a phone call or text away.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is not intended as an emergency response line. Individuals in imminent danger of harm to self or others should call 911. Individuals in mental health crisis should continue to contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

For more information on the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, visit: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline.

See our Mother’s Day Video.

See News & Announcements on HRSA.gov.

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (Authority) is currently accepting applications for the Capital Projects Fund – Broadband Infrastructure Program (Program) through Monday, July 10, 2023. The Authority has also designed and made available a FAQ document for this program.

The $200 million competitive grant program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF), will target locations that do not currently have access to 25/3 Mbps reliable service. Eligible applicants include local units of government, non-profits, cooperatives, and private entities. The Program will fund extensions of existing last-mile cable modem and fiber-to-the-premise broadband networks as well as large-scale regional projects that can transform broadband availability by serving large numbers of eligible addresses.

Additionally, the Authority has created an online web map to support prospective applicants for this program and future programs. This map shows broadband serviceable locations and community anchor institutions across the Commonwealth. The Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) are categorized into served, underserved, and unserved layers. This map will continue to be updated using the latest available data from the Federal Communications Commission Broadband Data Collection (BDC). We anticipate this map being released and available to the public in the near future.

If you have additional questions about this program, please utilize the following resource account to contact us, pbda_capitalprojectsfund@pa.gov.

Children need access to quality nutrition to build a healthy foundation for lifelong well-being. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides access to healthy nutrition for infants, toddlers, and pregnant and postpartum women.

Unfortunately, only 56% of eligible Pennsylvania children and families participate in the program. Thriving PA’s newly-released state and county fact sheets show WIC coverage rates in the program. With children up to age five accounting for 78% of participation, ensuring every eligible family can access the program and receive the nutritional support needed for their household is essential.

Through modernization efforts—like moving to an online Smart Card used to access benefits and permanently implementing telehealth policies—Pennsylvania can make the program more accessible to families. Other benefits of the WIC program include reducing household food insecurity and incidences of preterm births and low birth weights, improving diet quality, and improving access to health care and social services.

Thriving PA continues to advocate for increased participation and program improvements that are decades overdue. Learn more at www.thrivingpa.org.

Chive to Thrive: Thriving PA Delivers Chives to Legislators to Bring Awareness to Maternal and Child Health Needs

Thriving PA, a non-partisan, statewide advocacy campaign seeking to improve the quality of and increase access to a coordinated system of health supports, took to the Capitol last week to bring more awareness to and encourage support of policies to strengthen perinatal and children’s health across the commonwealth.

The delivery of chive plants to legislators aligned with a critical advocacy week, Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, and teased an upcoming report Thriving PA will release this summer that surveyed birthing people in Pennsylvania. Early analysis of survey results shows that 76% of respondents felt they needed care for their mental health.

The campaign also convened focus groups about the lack of access to maternal mental health supports. Maternal mental health disorders are the number one complication of childbearing and a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Currently, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries. Thriving PA advocates for access to the health resources and supports needed to give birth to and raise children safely.