This program, offered by State Office of Rural Health, provides opportunities for health organizations serving rural and underserved areas of Idaho to learn from their peers. The Rural Healthcare Exchange Program provides travel support for individuals or small groups to meet with similar entities from other areas of the state and share information, ideas, and successful approaches to improving quality and access to healthcare services.

The program is open to staff serving Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Free Medical Clinics. Eligible applicants also include rural non-profit EMS agencies, rural health grant writers and foundation staff, and network representatives serving rural health organizations. The program does not include visits with consultants, conference travel, or support for regularly scheduled meetings or training events.

The applicant speaks with a prospective peer mentor to discuss the proposed exchange activity. Applicants may visit a peer mentor in another community or invite the mentor to visit their organization. After an agreement is reached, the applicant submits the Rural Healthcare Exchange Program application to the State Office of Rural Health.

The State Office of Rural Health will contact the applicant within 5-7 business days with an approval or denial of the application. Applicants and exchanges meeting the limitations and criteria defined in the attached instructions will be approved on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. Exchanges must be completed by June 30, 2010.

Applicants proceed with their proposed exchange based on the approved application. Following the exchange visit, the applicant submits an invoice, receipts, and a completed outcome report to the State Office of Rural Health for reimbursement.

 Download an Application