The Service Area Competition (SAC) program is a funding opportunity that provides three-year grants to operate
one or more Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs must submit applications for a SAC grant when the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issues a SAC NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity).
If your Community Health Center Section 330 grant (your base health center grant) project period ends in FY2018, then you will need to write a Service Area Competition (SAC) grant this year. NOFO announcements for project periods ending in December 31, 2017, January 31, 2018 and February 28, 2018 were released this July. Anticipated NOFO for March, April and May end dates will be published in August and September. Information on due dates can be found here.
Tips to get organized for your SAC grant
Before you start writing your SAC narrative, pull together the policies and procedures that you will reference in the proposal. Then before you start writing about the procedures check with your operations, clinical, and finance staff to make sure the written procedures are accurate.
Here’s a list of documents we recommend that you have on hand when creating your SAC proposal:
- Organizational chart
- Emergency preparedness plan
- Bylaws
- Key management job descriptions and biographical statements
- Local needs assessments and legislative reports from your state or regional primary care association related to health care, Medicaid and other state programs
- OSV report
- Strategic plan
- QI plan
- Risk management plan
- Sliding fee policy and procedures
- After hours coverage procedure
- Credentialing and privileging policy/procedures
- Tracking referrals/labs procedures
- Board governance procedures/guidelines
- Recruitment and retention policy/procedures
- Collections policy/procedures
Having these documents organized in advance and making sure they are up-to-date will make writing your SAC grant much easier.
Getting help with your SAC application
Submitting a competitive SAC grant application can be challenging and time-consuming. Successful applications are built on a foundation of solid research while providing ample documentation and cross-references within the forms.
Health Center Solutions may be able to assist with all or part of your SAC application, depending on your needs. We have extensive experience with new grantees, and have submitted many successful applications on behalf of our clients.
Our health care grant writing consultants will make the process easier by guiding your health care center through the process of complying with program requirements, understanding the revenue cycle, developing reasonable financial budgets based on your local market, and clinical performance objectives for your patients.
Health Center Solutions’ dedicated professionals are focused on providing outcome-focused, customer-driven solutions. To schedule a meeting, or to request more information about our solutions, please contact us today!