Courtesy of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of an estimated $103 million in American Rescue Plan funding over a three-year period to reduce burnout and promote mental health among the health care workforce. These investments, which take into particular consideration the needs of rural and medically underserved communities, will help health care organizations establish a culture of wellness among the health and public safety workforce and will support training efforts that build resiliency for those at the beginning of their health careers.

“It is essential that we provide behavioral health resources for our health care providers — from paraprofessionals to public safety officers — so that they can continue to deliver quality care to our most vulnerable communities,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, who stressed the administration’s commitment to ensuring frontline health care workers have access to the services they need to prevent burnout, fatigue, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Health care providers face many challenges and stresses due to high patient volumes, long work hours, and workplace demands. These challenges were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have had a disproportionate impact on communities of color and in rural communities. The programs announced today will support the implementation of evidence-informed strategies to help organizations and providers respond to stressful situations, endure hardships, avoid burnout and foster healthy work environments that promote mental health and resiliency.

“This funding will help advance HRSA’s mission of developing a health care workforce capable of meeting the critical needs of underserved populations,” said Acting HRSA Administrator Diana Espinosa. “These programs will help to combat occupational stress and depression among our health care workers as they continue their heroic work to defeat the pandemic.”

There are three funding opportunities that are now accepting applications:

• Promoting Resilience and Mental Health Among Health Professional Workforce – Approximately 10 awards will be made totaling approximately $29 million over three years to health care organizations to support members of their workforce. This includes establishing, enhancing, or expanding evidence-informed programs or protocols to adopt, promote and implement an organizational culture of wellness that includes resilience and mental health among their employees.
• Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program – Approximately 30 awards will be made totaling approximately $68 million over three years for educational institutions and other appropriate state, local, Tribal, public, or private nonprofit entities training those early in their health careers. This includes providing evidence-informed planning, development, and training in health care profession activities in order to reduce burnout, suicide, and promote resiliency among the workforce.
• Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center – One award will be made for approximately $6 million over three years to provide tailored training and technical assistance to HRSA's workforce resiliency programs.