Section 4-5 - Authority to Award and Administer Grant Funds (a) The Department shall have the following responsibilities with regard to administering the grant awards: - (i) It shall develop a Request for Proposal (RFP), in consultation with the Office of Rural Health, for funding for up to three (3) grants to any Wyoming hospital seeking Magnet Recognition and for small hospitals of less than one hundred (100) beds to promote quality nursing practices, quality nursing working environments, increased retention of nursing staff and demonstrated improved outcomes for patients. The RFP developed by the Department and the Office of Rural Health shall comply with all of the Department of Administration and Information's RFP requirements. The RFP shall prioritize grant recipient requirements;
- (ii) It shall provide technical and professional assistance to eligible recipients making an application through the RFP for the grant funds for the purpose of completing a Magnet Recognition Program application or for promoting quality nursing practices, quality nursing working environments, increased retention of nursing staff and demonstrated improved outcomes for patients by addressing the selected criteria of the Magnet Recognition Program;
- (iii) It shall collect and analyze the RFP applicant information and shall, in consultation with the Office of Rural Health, select grant recipients pursuant to the priorities outlined in the RFP;
- (iv) It shall enter into a contract with the grant recipient that further outlines the project requirements, detailing how measurable outcomes will be achieved, and ensuring that the grant funds are used to effectuate the goals of the project;
- (v) It shall fund three (3) hospitals to achieve Magnet Recognition Program designation;
- (vi) It shall fund small hospitals to promote quality nursing practices, quality nursing working environments, increased retention of nursing staff and demonstrated improved outcomes for patients by meeting the selected criteria; and
- (vii) It shall inform the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee if legislation is needed to authorize any additional rules and regulations to effectuate the goals of the projects.