Washington - The Health Resources and Services Administration today announced the availability of grants for Senator Menendez's Patient Navigator and Chronic Disease Prevention Program. The Patient Navigator Program, which Senator Menendez created in 2005 and which now has initial federal funding to be implemented, will help patients, including those in underserved communities, to overcome the barriers they face in getting early screening and appropriate follow-up treatment.

Eligible health centers and facilities will be able to apply for the competitive grants to develop and implement patient navigator programs.

"I am proud that these grants are now available to help move the Patient Navigator program to the ultimate goal, which is to help patients get screened early and assist those who receive a life-changing diagnosis and desperately need assistance in making sense of their treatment options," said Senator Menendez. "The Patient Navigator will guide patients in these trying emotional situations to the resources available to them in the health care system and their communities. I encourage eligible providers to access this important funding and apply for the grant."

Click on the link below to find out more information about the application. Please note that the first deadline is May 22, 2008 when letters of intent are due, final applications are due on June 13, 2008: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=17657

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Public and nonprofit health centers (including FQHCs as Federally defined), health facilities operated by or pursuant to a contract with the Indian Health Service, hospitals, cancer centers, rural health clinics, academic health centers, or a nonprofit entity that enters into a partnership or coordinates referrals with such a center, clinic, facility, or hospital to provide patient navigator services.

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