RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE Telecommunications Programs

1. RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE Telecommunications Programs SAMSHA –Sponsored 2011 HIT Regional Forum June 16, 2011 Mary M. Campanola Special Projects Coordinator Telecommunications Program Rural Utilities Service Mary.Campanola@wdc.usda.gov 202-720-8822

2. Telecommunications Program loan and grant programs • Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program: Loans to local telephone companies for improving telecommunications service in rural communities • Broadband Access Loan Program (Farm Bill): Loans for local telephone companies and other service providers who offer broadband services in eligible communities • Community Connect Grant Program: Grants for broadband service providers and others who offer broadband services in eligible communities • Distance Learning/Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program: Loans and grants for providing Distance Learning and Telemedicine services to rural residents • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP): Loans, grants and loan/grant combinations for broadband in rural communities • Public TV Grants: grants for rural public TV stations for the digital TV transition • Weather Radio Grants: grants for weather radio systems in rural communities

3. Telecommunications Program Telecommunications ProgramFY 2010 Results and FY 2011 Budget

4. Distance Learning/Telemedicine Program The DLT Grant and Loan Programs provide rural communities with opportunities to obtain educational and medical services from distant locations utilizing communications technologies. $466 million in DLT grants and loans have been awarded http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UTP_DLT.html

5. Distance Learning/Telemedicine Grants Program Requirements Serving rural communities of 20,000 or less Min grant $50,000, Max grant $500,000 15% required matching contribution

6. DLT Grant Program Resources Webpage http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UTP_DLTResources.html

7. DLT Grant Program - Applicant Eligibility 1. Deliver or propose to deliver distance learning or telemedicine services for the term of the grant. The purposes must meet the grant definition of distance learning and telemedicine. Focus on sustainability. No planning studies, research projects, or short-term demonstration projects. 2. Be incorporated or a partnership; a Native American tribal organization; a state or local unit of government; a consortium; or other legal entity. For or not-for profit able to contract with the US Government. No individuals or sole-proprietorships. 3. Operate a rural community facility or deliver DLT services to entities that operate a rural community facility or to residents of rural areas at rates calculated to ensure that the benefit of the financial assistance passes through to such entities or to residents of rural areas.

8. DLT Grant Program - Project and BudgetEligibility DLT Grants are not just a way to obtain educational technology or medical equipment. The focus is on using the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect rural areas to each other and to the world, thus overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. 1. Distance learning means a curriculum with measurable results delivered via telecommunications and stresses the connection of students and teachers at remote sites. 2. Telemedicine means the delivery of medicine from medical professionals at one site to patients at other sites via telecommunications. Telemedicine shows benefit to rural residents either in reduced travel or access to services.

9. DLT Grant Program - Project and Budget Eligibility 1. Grant and Match purposes are identical - If an item isn’t eligible for grant, it cannot be credited as a match. 2. Obtain Grant and Match items from 3rd Party - All items must be obtained from an organization other than the applicant or other entities participating in the applicant’s DLT project as hubs, hub/end-users, or end-users. 3. Funds Equipment, not Telecommunications - The Program is focused on providing equipment that operates via telecommunications. While the equipment is eligible, it does not fund the telecommunications that connects the equipment.

10. DLT Grant Program - Project and Budget Eligibility 1. Eligible Equipment - This list is not exhaustive and does not convey automatic eligibility. To be eligible in full, items must be primarily for DLT eligible purposes with no use for ineligible purposes. · Audio and video equipment · Computer Hardware and Software · Computer network components · Terminal equipment · Data terminal equipment · Interactive audio/video equipment · OEM or OEM authorized warranties on eligible equipment up to the 3 year life of the grant · Inside wiring

11. Distance Learning/Telemedicine Grants Scoring Criteria Rural Area (Rurality) Economic Need (NSLP) Special Communities (EZ/EC) Leveraging (Matching Funds) Need for Services and project Benefits (Needs and Benefits) Innovativeness Cost Effectiveness

12. Telecommunications Program 1400 Independence Ave. Washington, DC 20250 http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RUSTelecomPrograms.html Telecommunications Program Headquarters Staff: David J. Villano, david.villano@wdc.usda.gov; Assistant Administrator, 202-720-9554 Jonathan Claffey, jon.claffey@wdc.usda.gov; Deputy Assistant Administrator, 202-720-9556 Mary Campanola, mary.campanola@wdc.usda.gov; Special Projects Coordinator, 202-720-8822 Kathie Klass, kathie.klass@wdc.usda.gov; Senior Outreach Coordinator, 202-720-2284 Peter Aimable, peter.aimable@wdc.usda.gov; Director, Northern Division, 202-720-0806 Gary Allan, gary.allan@usda.gov; Acting Director, Advanced Services Division, 202-720-0665 Shawn Arner, shawn.arner@wdc.usda.gov; Director, Southern Division, 202-720-0711 Ken Kuchno, kenneth.kuchno@usda.gov; Director, Broadband Division, 202-690-4673 Craig Wulf, craig.wulf@wdc.usda.gov; Program Advisor, 202-720-0427 General Field Representatives: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UTP_GFRContact.html Contact Information