Deadline to apply is May 28

Stratis Health is accepting applications for a new program that will provide one-on-one foundational support and technical assistance to communities seeking to start or strengthen their community-based palliative care services.

The deadline to apply to the Rural Palliative Care Community Development Project is May 28.

Stratis is working to recruit six rural Minnesota communities to participate in the 10-month project. To be eligible, a community must be served by a hospital with 100 or fewer licensed beds.

A community must designate one organization to submit an application on behalf of the community team.

"This initiative requires each team to consist of a multi-site team - representing more than one provider setting and interdisciplinary professionals," application materials say. "The application must indicate commitment from all key, participating health care providers and organizations in your community, such as hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, nursing homes, and hospice programs."

There is no fee to participate, but participating organizations must commit resources and staff to the initiative. Community selection will be announced in early June.

UCare health plan is funding the initiative.

For more information and application materials, visit www.stratishealth.org/palcare.