United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that telemedicine projects that address opioid emergency in rural communities will be awarded with funds. Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, Anne Hazlett announced that USDA will give fund priority in a key grant program for applications to address opioid misuse in rural communities.

Hazlett said that the impact of opioid epidemic is severe in small towns and rural places across the country. With this focused investment, USDA will be targeting its resources to become a strong partner to rural communities. The aim is to build innovative local responses to this serious challenge.

Infact, telehealth software will make a considerable contribution in combating the opioid challenge. President Donald J. Trump has prepared his entire Administration to actively combat the challenge of opioid misuse by directing the declaration of a nationwide Public Health Emergency.

In order to help local leaders, respond to this epidemic, USDA has taken steps to build infrastructure for prevention, treatment and recovery, facilitate partnership, and drive innovation in rural communities.

USDA may award up to 30 special consideration points for Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program applications. These will be for projects that provide opioid treatment services in 220 at-risk countries identified by the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program applications. The last date for applications is April 15.

USDA may also award 10 special consideration points for opioid-related DLT projects or those that provide Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education as their primary purpose. Deadline for these applications is May 15.