HRSA’s National Training and Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreements (NCAs) for Health Center Support

Training and assistance in fiscal and program management (Program Requirements);
Operational and administrative support (Performance Improvement and Special Initiatives); and
Provision of information regarding resources available under section 330 and how they can be best used to meet the health needs of the communities served by potential and existing health centers (Program Assistance).

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking to fund national cooperative agreements with organizations to provide national training and technical assistance (T/TA) to potential and existing Health Center Program (authorized under section 330 of the PHS Act, 42 CFR 254b) grantees and look-alikes.  The goal of these cooperative agreements is to assist health centers in meeting program requirements and improving performance by supporting health center program development and analysis activities at a national level. 

Program Expectations

NCAs must:
Anticipate and respond to the changes taking place in the health care environment.
Collect and analyze data relative to national health issues, unmet need, marketplace conditions, special populations, and other key health indicators to guide current/future strategic planning, developmental efforts, and work plan activities.
Coordinate with HRSA to address the T/TA needs of the target audience and assist with new/emerging strategic initiatives.
Coordinate with other national organizations to provide T/TA for potential and existing health centers.
Utilize a broad decision-making process to determine the most efficient and effective use of HRSA funds.
Ensure that program implementation is representative of the diverse needs of health centers across the nation.
Make all activities supported in whole or in part with HRSA NCA funds equally available to all potential and existing health centers regardless of Health Center Program grant status or NCA organization membership.

Organizational Attributes and Capabilities

Organizations that receive support through the NCA funding opportunity are expected to exhibit the following attributes and capabilities:

Mission Oriented ¿ Has demonstrated a long term commitment to the viability of the health care safety-net and health centers across the nation, with a focus on assuring access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services for underserved vulnerable populations.
Maintain an Effective Infrastructure ¿ Has adequate, appropriate, and effective infrastructure and capacity (i.e., systems, leadership, resources) to carry out proposed cooperative agreement activities.
Foster Collaboration ¿ Is successful in forming collaborative linkages and developing relationships that strengthen the safety-net.Fosters collaboration among a diverse membership, as well as other national safety-net providers with similar missions in order to strengthen and expand the safety-net.
Capable of Assessing Need and Planning Accordingly ¿ Has a demonstrated ability to assess needs/priorities and plan independent or collaborative activities to address these issues effectively.