The Kentucky Rural Health Transformation Program is actively implementing initiatives in community health worker training, EMS transformation, behavioral health crisis response, rural dental access, chronic care, maternal health, and regional health hub development. Multiple funding opportunities and structured applications are open for health departments, EMS agencies, behavioral health organizations, and educational institutions, with major focus on technology-enabled care and multisector collaboration. The current plan emphasizes coordinated statewide efforts and tracks progress across initiatives through 2026. Current structured plan tracks 10 key initiatives and 5 strategic goals.
County-level estimates averaged across Kentucky — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
7%
-4.4pp
Uninsured (18–64)
13.7%
+1.3pp
Diabetes
40.2%
+2.7pp
Obesity
21.2%
+5.1pp
Current smoking
39.1%
+3pp
High blood pressure
29.2%
+1.5pp
Physical inactivity
8.4%
+1.5pp
Heart disease
4.2%
+0.5pp
Stroke
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (120)
County
Pop
Poverty
Uninsured
Jefferson County
783,022
14.3%
10.5%
Fayette County
323,725
14.9%
9.1%
Kenton County
171,288
11.8%
7.7%
Warren County
140,918
17.0%
11.2%
Boone County
139,841
6.3%
4.0%
Hardin County
111,942
13.1%
10.4%
Daviess County
103,648
14.7%
11.5%
Madison County
95,769
15.1%
12.2%
Campbell County
93,426
11.1%
7.0%
Bullitt County
84,027
9.7%
7.4%
Christian County
72,069
17.1%
12.2%
Oldham County
69,257
4.3%
3.2%
Demographics
Total population
4.5MCensus ACS5 2024
Rural population
1.7MUSDA ERS RUCC 2023
Rural population %
38.2%USDA ERS RUCC 2023
Poverty rate
16.1%Census ACS5 2024
Median household income
$63,726Census ACS5 2024
Uninsured rate
11.9%Census ACS5 2024
CAH count
29HRSA GIS (live)
Rural hospital facilities
0AI extracted
Primary care HPSA
111HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
Dental HPSA
114HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
Mental health HPSA
77HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
MUA count
108HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
MUP count
4HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
FQHC facilities
505HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
RHC facilities
429HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
AI source: KY - 2026 - Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky to Help Lead New Rural Program that Brings Partners Together to Take On Diabetes and Obesity
AI auto-updated Sep 12, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
RHTP Strategic Goals
1Expand access and improve health outcomes for rural residents by establishing sustainable district-level Rural Community Hubs and operational infrastructure.
2Strengthen and diversify rural health and dental workforce pipelines—including specialized Community Health Worker, EMS, and dental workforce roles—through targeted training, recruitment, and program expansion.
3Advance technology-enabled, community-driven care models by scaling district-level pilots, enhancing Rural Community Hub communications, and building multisector partnerships.
4Achieve measurable improvements in chronic disease, maternal and infant health, behavioral health crisis response, and oral health through evidence-based, locally adapted approaches.
5Build resilient, integrated rural health systems for long-term population health by breaking down silos between health, social services, education, housing, and public health sectors.
Worth to Notice / Recent Updates (11)
Key signals are summarized here. Open the source for the supporting detail.
Kentucky has received CMS funding and officially launched the Rural Health Transformation Program. Multiple RFAs and application processes are open or underway across EMS, dental, behavioral health, and community hub initiatives, constituting state-level procurement. On-the-ground implementation has begun, with key staff hiring, local program pilots, and district infrastructure building in progress—especially within the Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis with deadlines into 2026, and the program is actively engaging rural stakeholders for local participation. State opportunities: 15 total (15 past/closed), $3.3M listed funding. Key opportunities: Kentucky RHT Funding Opportunity to Develop Community Health Worker Specialized Certificates; Crisis to Care: Establish or Expand Community Paramedicine Program; From Crisis to Care: Education & Training Modernization. Strategy alignment: supports workforce, maternal health, telehealth priorities.
RHTP Strategy
Kentucky’s RHTP continues a phased, community-driven strategy centered on launching district-led Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation, prioritizing prevention and management of chronic disease—particularly diabetes and obesity—alongside maternal and infant health, mental health crisis response, dental access, and EMS modernization. The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Hub Lead Organizations convene multisector partners to coordinate implementation, align shared strategies, and measure outcomes that reflect community need. District-level Liaisons and partners tailor pilot programs, foster regional collaboration, and drive infrastructure and quality improvement. CMS performance-based funding supports a five-year implementation spanning all Area Development Districts, with ongoing multisector and digital health collaboration fundamental to rural health transformation.
Model
Integrated hub-and-spoke network led by Rural Community Hub Lead Organizations and district Liaison roles, supported by digital infrastructure, phased pilot-to-scale deployment, and robust multisector coordination; incorporates telehealth, EMS modernization, specialized workforce development, and collaboration among public health, social services, education, and housing sectors.
Key Initiatives (10)
1Phased rollout and establishment of Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation in Area Development Districts, including infrastructure development, stakeholder mapping, district-level pilots, multisector partner engagement, shared strategy, outcome alignment, dissemination of best practices, and quality improvement.
2Develop and expand Liaison positions to facilitate district-level coordination, partnership mapping, local pilot program execution, best practice sharing, community outreach, and outcome tracking.
3Enhance hub-level communications for chronic condition prevention and management (especially diabetes and obesity), including tailored messaging, refined communication templates, coaching partners, and localizing health and policy content.
Timeline: Primary implementation FY2026–FY2030, phased Hub and Liaison launches beginning July 1, 2026; milestones include district Rural Community Hub establishment by 2027, annual workforce and service expansion, initial CHW certificate awards October 2026–June 2027, performance-tied funding from CMS, and five grant periods aligned to federal fiscal years.
Health Priority
Chronic Condition Management
The program prioritizes addressing diabetes and obesity through community engagement and rural hubs.
Big Sandy ADDLake Cumberland ADDPurchase ADD
Sep 19, 2026
Health Priority
Chronic condition prevention and management
Initial focus is on diabetes and obesity with targeted community engagement and multisector collaboration.
Big Sandy ADDLake Cumberland ADDPurchase ADD
Sep 19, 2026
Health Priority
Behavioral Health
Focus on strengthening crisis systems and expanding telebehavioral health support across Kentucky.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Administrative Services
Due Jul 3, 2026
1 related document
Related documents1
PrimaryPDF2026No amount extracted
KY - 2026 - Request for Application: RHTP Funding Opportunity to Rapid Response to Recovery – Telebehavioral Health Support
RFA Announcement
Announcement Documents (5)
📄
AnnouncementSep 5, 2026PDF
This announcement describes a key Liaison role with FHKY to support implementation of the RHT-RCH initiative in Big Sandy ADD, focused on building rural systems for collective impact in chronic care. Responsibilities span district strategy coordination, network building, data reporting, and program support. The role is community-facing, emphasizing population health and rural transformation.
NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT · POPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER
Contacts
FHKY Liaison - Big Sandy Area Development District
Core Initiatives
Improve health outcomes and quality of life for rural Kentuckians
Increase coordination between health, social, and community sectors
Drive measurable population health improvements through collective impact
📄
AnnouncementSep 4, 2026PDF2024
📄
AnnouncementSep 4, 2026PDF
Award Announcement Documents (1)
🌐
Award AnnouncementSep 5, 2026OTHER2026Federal
Kentucky received a $213 million federal award under the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access and quality in rural areas.
Kentucky is issuing an RFA for $800,000 in total available funding to develop Community Health Worker specialized certificates aligned with four key rural health priorities: healthy lifestyle management, perinatal/infant health, mental/behavioral health, and oral/dental health. The funding seeks to support non-profit training organizations in designing, developing, and delivering asynchronous certificate programs statewide that expand the skills and impact of Kentucky's rural CHW workforce. Selected training organizations must offer training at no cost to CHWs and ensure meaningful involvement of CHWs in curriculum design.
Event schedule:
- RFA Release - July 15, 2026
- CHW Specialized Certificate Information Session - July 16, 2026
- RFA Office Hours - July 21, 2026
- RFA Submission Deadline - August 5, 2026 - 5:00 PM ET
- RFA Notification of Awards - August 26, 2026
- Funding Period - October 7, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Budget: $800KWORKFORCE · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · POPULATION_HEALTH · OTHER
Event Schedule
RFA Release - July 15, 2026
CHW Specialized Certificate Information Session - July 16, 2026
RFA Office Hours - July 21, 2026
Show all schedule items (6)
RFA Release - July 15, 2026
CHW Specialized Certificate Information Session - July 16, 2026
RFA Office Hours - July 21, 2026
RFA Submission Deadline - August 5, 2026 - 5:00 PM ET
RFA Notification of Awards - August 26, 2026
Funding Period - October 7, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Core Initiatives
Expand and strengthen Kentucky's rural community health workforce.
Enable evidence-based, innovative system transformation in rural health.
Address priority health needs in rural Kentucky including maternal health, diabetes, behavioral health, and oral health.
This Kentucky RHTP guidance offers $212.9 million in Year 1 funding to modernize EMS education and training for rural and underserved communities, with a structured, multi-year pathway for program enhancement and mobile simulation units. It supports both centralized and mobile training, expands the EMS workforce, and strengthens the integration between EMS providers and behavioral health crisis response networks. Technical support, data requirements, and compliance guidance are built into the process to ensure agency readiness and impact. Key contacts: Jimmie Hampton jimmie.hampton@ky.gov; Bob Andrew bob.andrew@ky.gov
Event schedule:
- Application Submission Deadline - 06/12/2026 - 5:00 PM ET - Submit by email (Jimmie Hampton <jimmie.hampton@ky.gov>)
Kentucky's rural health strategy centers on Rural Community Hubs to coordinate resources and organizations to address chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity. The initiative seeks to bring together local partners to improve health outcomes, reduce duplication of services, and better connect community health workers. Kentucky faces particularly severe challenges with diabetes, with mortality rates significantly above the national average.
POPULATION_HEALTH · NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT
Core Initiatives
Coordinate rural organizations and health care providers to prevent and manage chronic disease
Reduce duplication of services and improve connection among community health workers
📄
StrategyJul 9, 2026PDF
Rooted in Health is focused on expanding access to dental care in rural Kentucky by training and placing more dental hygienists, bringing teledental and mobile services, and enhancing surgical training for general dentists. The initiative aims to reduce emergency room visits for dental issues and provide comprehensive care locally.
📄
StrategyJul 9, 2026PDF
Summary Documents (1)
📄
SummaryJul 9, 2026PDF2024
The program establishes EmPATH units and a centralized tele-behavioral health hub to ensure prompt, appropriate care for those in behavioral health crisis. It decreases repeated crises, supports first responders, and connects individuals to community-based recovery resources. Kentucky faces high rates of mental illness or substance use disorder diagnoses in emergency departments.
POPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER
Core Initiatives
Enhance crisis care for behavioral health emergencies
Reduce hospitalizations and ED strain
Improve care continuity and access for rural populations
This document is a federal award announcement for the Kentucky Rural Health Transformation Plan, funded under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. The award, totaling $212,905,590.56, is managed as a cooperative agreement with CMS, with required milestones, reporting, and revised budget submission for the first budget period. The period of performance spans December 29, 2025, to October 30, 2030, and includes fiscal and progress report requirements tied to CMS oversight.
Award: $212.9M
Event Schedule
Award Start Date - 2025-12-29
Revised Budget Deadline - 2026-01-30
Annual Progress Report #1 Due - 2026-08-30
Show all schedule items (4)
Award Start Date - 2025-12-29
Revised Budget Deadline - 2026-01-30
Annual Progress Report #1 Due - 2026-08-30
Period of Performance End Date - 2030-10-30
Reference Documents (17)
📄
ReferenceSep 12, 2026PDF2026
The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is serving as the convening partner for the Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation program focused on diabetes and obesity. The initiative will launch initially in three ADD regions with plans to statewide expansion to foster local partnerships and a coordinated approach to chronic disease prevention and management. Key contacts: Ally Wells awells@healthy-ky.org; Allison Adams
Event schedule:
- Program Announcement - September 8, 2026 - Louisville, KY
POPULATION_HEALTH · NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT · OTHER
Event Schedule
Program Announcement - September 8, 2026 - Louisville, KY
Contacts
Ally Wells - <awells@healthy-ky.org> - Communications Director - Kentucky
Allison Adams - President and CEO, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky - Kentucky
Core Initiatives
Improve chronic disease prevention and management in rural Kentucky
Strengthen partnerships and coordination across sectors to address diabetes and obesity
Empower communities to develop locally led solutions that improve health outcomes
🌐
ReferenceSep 5, 2026OTHER
Reference: ... rural communities. Read more of the latest Kentucky news. The announcement
Link: https://fox56news.com/news/local/lexington/dr-oz-says-federal-investment-could-help-reshape-kentuckys-rural-health-care-system/amp/
📄
ReferenceSep 5, 2026PDF
This position will serve as the primary liaison between the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and the Lake Cumberland ADD, supporting district-level health transformation initiatives. The role includes launching programs, expanding community partners, facilitating collective impact, and strengthening local infrastructure for rural health improvement. With frequent travel in Kentucky, the focus is on measurable improvements in rural health outcomes. Key contacts: Director of Collective Impact Initiatives
Other Documents (1)
✉️
OtherSep 5, 2026TXT
Kentucky has received a $213 million federal Rural Health Transformation Program grant to improve healthcare in rural communities.
Spreadsheets, data exports, and reference documents — available for download but excluded from the main activity feed.
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KY - 2026 - ... rural communities. Read more of the latest Kentucky news. The announcement
Kentucky Community Health Worker Certification Manual, 2026 38 RHTP Guidance
2026 · PDF
KY - 2026 - RHT - Community Health Worker - Attachment A - Budget Template
XLSX
KY - 2026 - RHT Community Paramedicine - Attachment B - Budget Template
XLSX
KY - 1982 - agency.aspx
HTML
202 KAR 7:601. Training, education, and continuing education (Amendment)
PDF
14A.1-070 Definitions for chapter (KY business entity definitions statute, effective July 15, 2020)
2020 · PDF
Attachment A Approved Risk Adjustment Model.docx
2025-2026 · DOCX
Sample - Business Associate Agreement.pdf
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This is an announcement for a new District Coordination Lead focused on rural collective health impact for Kentucky's RHT-RCH initiative. The position will help launch and coordinate district-level networks and programs aimed at improving health outcomes in the Big Sandy Area Development District. Collaboration across public health, health care, education, and social services is emphasized to drive population-level change. Key contacts: Director of Collective Impact Initiatives
NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT · POPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER
Contacts
Director of Collective Impact Initiatives - Supervisor - Statewide/Kentucky
Core Initiatives
Transform community support for health and well-being.
Integrate public health, health care, education, housing, and social services.
Achieve measurable improvements in rural health outcomes.
This announcement seeks a district-level lead to coordinate the RHT–RCH initiative in the Purchase Area Development District of Kentucky. The role will focus on building core infrastructure, launching programs, and coordinating partner engagement in alignment with state goals. By supporting multi-sector collaboration and local innovation, this position will help advance population health and collective impact for rural Kentuckians. Key contacts: Director of Collective Impact Initiatives (FHKY)
NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT · POPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER
Contacts
Director of Collective Impact Initiatives (FHKY) - Supervisor for position - Kentucky, Purchase Area Development District
Core Initiatives
Break down silos and coordinate multisector resources for rural health.
Drive measurable improvements in health and well-being for rural Kentuckians.
Build capacity and infrastructure through collective impact and stakeholder alignment.
Kentucky is launching a Rural Health Transformation Plan funded via CMS, focusing on rural health workforce and population health outcomes. This RFA solicits Kentucky-based training organizations to develop new specialized Community Health Worker certificates in Healthy Lifestyle Management, Perinatal and Infant Health, Mental and Behavioral Health, and Dental/Oral Health. The maximum award is $200,000 per certificate, with milestone-based payments and robust outcome reporting requirements. Key contacts: Ashley N. Gibson ashleyn.gibson@ky.gov
Event schedule:
- RFA Released - 07/15/2026
- RFA Information Session - 07/16/2026 - ET
- RFA Office Hours - 07/21/2026 - ET
- FAQ Answers Released - 07/24/2026
- Deadline for Receipt of Applications - 08/05/2026 - 5:00 PM ET - via email
- Anticipated Notification of Award - 08/26/2026
- Anticipated Funding Period Begins - 10/07/2026
- Deadline for Certificates Approval - 06/30/2027
Deadline for Receipt of Applications - 08/05/2026 - 5:00 PM ET - via email
Anticipated Notification of Award - 08/26/2026
Anticipated Funding Period Begins - 10/07/2026
Deadline for Certificates Approval - 06/30/2027
Contacts
Ashley N. Gibson - <ashleyn.gibson@ky.gov> - RHT Program Contact - Kentucky statewide
Core Initiatives
Expand the rural workforce through targeted training for Community Health Workers (CHWs)
Advance rural health outcomes through specialty certificates addressing key health needs
Support sustainable, long-term improvements in Kentucky’s rural health infrastructure
This RFA solicits Medicaid-enrolled, Eastern Kentucky-serving nonprofit behavioral health organizations to apply for funding to build and integrate telebehavioral health capacity as part of Kentucky's Rural Health Transformation Program. The initiative focuses on expanding access to psychiatric consultation, crisis response, and behavioral health services using a regional hub-and-spoke model, with pilot implementation targeting Eastern Kentucky and growth planned statewide. Applicants may request budgets up to $500,000 for activities tied to participatory telebehavioral health, technology adoption, workforce development, and coordination with statewide partners. Key contacts: Breanna McGinnis Breanna.mcginnis@ky.gov
Event schedule:
- RFA Released - 06/01/2026
- Deadline for Receipt of Applications - 07/03/2026
- Notification of Award to Grantees - 07/10/2026
- Funding Period Begins - 10/01/2026
Breanna McGinnis - <Breanna.mcginnis@ky.gov> - Program Contact - KY
Core Initiatives
Expand rural behavioral health crisis response capacity through telebehavioral health hub-and-spoke infrastructure.
Divert behavioral health crises from emergency departments and hospital admissions.
Increase engagement with follow-up care after crisis events to reduce readmissions and recurrence.
Show all initiatives (12)
Expand rural behavioral health crisis response capacity through telebehavioral health hub-and-spoke infrastructure.
Divert behavioral health crises from emergency departments and hospital admissions.
Increase engagement with follow-up care after crisis events to reduce readmissions and recurrence.
Advance integrated crisis response via cross-sector partnerships and data-driven quality improvement.
Address service gaps and workforce shortages in rural behavioral health through sustainable program models.
Expand capacity to function as a regional provider spoke for telebehavioral services
Strengthen provider-to-provider behavioral health consultation support for primary care providers
Implement consistent triage, intake, and referral management practices
Improve close-loop handoffs between applicant and partner settings
Align telebehavioral workflows with hub routing and disposition planning
Increase access to behavioral health services
Increase quality of care and behavioral health clinical outcomes
Kentucky’s RHTP received $212.9 million for year 1 to transform rural health, with a major focus on developing EMS through community paramedicine. The program funds both new and expanding paramedicine models, emphasizes crisis response, technical assistance, required behavioral health training, and robust evaluation. EMS agencies may apply for up to $650,000 in start-up funding; additional support targets integration of workforce, technology, and community partnerships to close gaps in rural care. Key contacts: Jimmie Hampton jimmie.hampton@ky.gov; Behavioral Health Champion
Event schedule:
- Application Deadline - 06/12/2026 - 5:00 PM ET - Submit to jimmie.hampton@ky.gov
- Information Session Webinar - TBD (document refers to an upcoming webinar)
- Months 1-2: Program Planning & CHW Model Design - Month 1-2
- Months 3-6: Training & Certification Launch - Month 3-6
- Months 7-8: Infrastructural Setup and Supply Readiness - Month 7-8
- Month 9: Soft Launch of CHW Program - Month 9
- Month 10: Program Stabilization - Month 10
Jimmie Hampton - <jimmie.hampton@ky.gov> - Workforce Development Specialist for Crisis to Care (CTC) - Commonwealth of Kentucky
Behavioral Health Champion - Primary point of contact for behavioral health training coordination - all awardees
Core Initiatives
Improve health access, quality, and outcomes for rural Kentuckians
Strengthen pre-hospital and crisis response program capacity
Expand preventative and community-based services
Show all initiatives (4)
Improve health access, quality, and outcomes for rural Kentuckians
Strengthen pre-hospital and crisis response program capacity
Expand preventative and community-based services
Build long-term sustainability for EMS and rural health infrastructure
Kentucky received $212.9 million in FY2026 for the state’s rural health transformation, with a strong emphasis on modernizing and expanding EMS training and mobile skills programs. Funding is available to EMS agencies for hands-on and mobile training equipment, workforce expansion, and the development of community-based EMS education. Technical assistance, application support, and program reporting are provided to ensure sustainable impact. Key contacts: Jimmie Hampton jimmie.hampton@ky.gov; Bob Andrew bob.andrew@ky.gov
Event schedule:
- Submission Deadline - 06/12/2026 - 5:00 PM ET
Award: $212.9MEMS_DEVELOPMENT · WORKFORCE · OTHER
Contacts
Jimmie Hampton - <jimmie.hampton@ky.gov> - Workforce Development Specialist for Crisis to Care - Statewide (Crisis to Care program)
Bob Andrew - <bob.andrew@ky.gov> - TEI/EMS Certification Support - Statewide (TEI Certification)
Core Initiatives
Improve health access, quality, and outcomes for rural Kentuckians
Modernize EMS education and training infrastructure
Increase access to dental care for rural Kentuckians
Expand dental workforce and workforce training
Reduce emergency department visits for dental needs
Show all initiatives (4)
Increase access to dental care for rural Kentuckians
Expand dental workforce and workforce training
Reduce emergency department visits for dental needs
Improve quality and coordination of oral health services
The Crisis to Care program aims to strengthen the EMS workforce and improve coordination between responders and hospitals in rural Kentucky. Innovative uses of technology connect care teams in real time, and community paramedicine is integrated to ensure continuity of care after emergencies. Nearly half Kentucky’s paramedics are concentrated in five metro counties, highlighting the need for service expansion in rural areas.