INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana is accepting Request for Funding (RFF) applications for GROW (Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being) Regional Grants, an initiative of the Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The program was established by the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and includes $50 billion for the RHTP, a federal relief program to transform care and improve health outcomes in rural communities.
Indiana was awarded $206.9 million for year one of the five-year Indiana RHTP. The five core goals of this rural health initiative are technology innovation, sustainable access, innovative care, workforce development and chronic disease prevention and management. GROW was allotted $120 million for the first year of the program to address these goals at the regional level.
The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) are implementing the RHTP program at the direction of Gov. Mike Braun. Rural communities know their needs best and are well-positioned to implement effective local solutions. GROW grant funding will be awarded to each of eight Regional Coalitions, networks of community partners, to support initiatives and activities developed at the local level.
The Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA), Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) and Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) are providing technical assistance to regions as the coalitions determine their needs, design initiatives and prepare their applications. For more information about the RFF or Regional Committees and a map of the eight regions, visit www.growruralhealth.in.gov.
“This is a tremendous opportunity in rural areas of the state to improve health outcomes, including infant mortality and chronic disease prevention,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “Through this program, we’re pushing for progress that will directly improve life for rural Hoosiers.”
Regional Coalitions must submit a letter of intent by May 1 and the application by July 1, with the first-year grant agreement starting on Sept. 1.
Regional advisory committees of rural health stakeholders are being finalized, and their local perspectives will help to identify health needs and ensure accountability and collaboration. Regional Committees will provide ongoing guidance and support to the Regional Coalitions throughout the five-year grant period.
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