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

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 FY 2010 Results and FY 2011 Budget
2010 Budget
2010 Obligations
2011 Budget
Telecom Infrastructure Loans
$690 million
Broadband Loans
$532 million $0
$325 million
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
$29.7 million
$34.7 million
$25 million
Community Connect Grants
$13.4 million
Recovery Act (BIP) Loans and Grants
$2.5 billion (budget authority)
$3.529 billion
Not Applicable

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

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

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 Budget Eligibility
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
Contact Information
Telecommunications Program
1400 Independence Ave.
Washington, DC 20250
Telecommunications Program Headquarters Staff:
David J. Villano, Assistant Administrator,
Jonathan Claffey, Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Mary Campanola, Special Projects Coordinator,
Kathie Klass, Senior Outreach Coordinator,
Peter Aimable, Director, Northern Division,
Gary Allan, Acting Director, Advanced Services Division,
Shawn Arner, Director, Southern Division,
Ken Kuchno, Director, Broadband Division,
Craig Wulf, Program Advisor,
General Field Representatives: