THE ORGANIZATION WAS NAMED THE STATE DESIGNATED ENTITY FOR HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE (HIE) DEVELOPMENT AND WAS AWARDED GRANT FUNDING UNDER THE HITECH PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT. INITIALLY, THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED FUNDING FROM 2 FEDERAL GRANTS, ONE TO CREATE THE STATEWIDE HIE AND THE OTHER FOR REGIONAL EXTENSION CENTER DEVELOPMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED A SUPPLEMENTAL FEDERAL GRANT AWARD TO ASSIST CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS AND RURAL HOSPITALS. STATE GRANTS WERE ALSO AWARDED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FEDERAL GRANTS AND COVERING MANY OF THE SAME ACTIVITIES AS FUNDED THROUGH THE FEDERAL GRANTS.