RD174 - Annual Report on the Virginia Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program - Non-State Funding Report


Executive Summary:
[This report was modified on 11/16/05 by replacing the second page.]

Purpose: The Appropriations Act directed Virginia’s AHEC Program to “submit a report by October 1 each year …that documents 1) the actions taken to secure non-state funding to support AHEC activities and 2) a cash match of at least 50 percent of the funds provided by the Commonwealth.”

Background: The Virginia Statewide AHEC Program was established in 1991 to increase access to primary care. It grew out of several recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health. As provided in Section 32.1-122.7 of the Code of Virginia, the mission of AHEC is to promote health careers and access to primary care for medically underserved populations through community-academic partnerships. This mission is accomplished by conducting programs to: 1) attract students into health careers, 2) support the community-based training of health professions students and residents, 3) recruit, support and retain health providers to underserved areas or settings that address the needs of underserved populations, and 4) promote health and prevent disease in partnership with other community organizations.

The Virginia Statewide AHEC Program is administered through a statewide advisory board and the eight individual AHECs. AHECs receive federal funding through a “Model State-Supported AHEC” cooperative agreement. The “Model” cooperative agreement from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) requires a 100% non-federal match. In FY05, the Virginia AHEC Program office at VCU received $692,352 in federal model funding (direct & indirect) of which 80% was equally distributed among the eight (8) community AHEC centers - a 30% decrease from FY2004.

In FY 2005, $300,000 in designated state funds were distributed to the eight AHEC centers. Of this, $295,454 was used for the recruitment and retention, practice support, and training of health care professionals in medically underserved or areas with medically underserved populations.

In addition, the Department of Medical Assistance Services -- to the extent permissible under federal and state laws -- entered into an agreement with the Virginia Statewide Area Health Education Centers so that qualifying funds may be used at the discretion of each center for obtaining matching non-general funds when available. The community AHEC programs were able to generate an additional $23,243.81in FY05 under this agreement.

The AHEC Program Office and Centers acquired an additional $1,260,056 in other funds through local, state and national grants, foundations, associations and $422,517 in fees for services.