Kansas

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced two additional grant opportunities in the second round of Rural Health Transformation Program funding.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment awarded $16 million in RHTP grants focused on advancing healthcare technology implementation in rural areas. This funding aims to transform rural health care through technology adoption.

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (Kdads) is actively seeking applicants for a rural dementia care pilot. This initiative aims to target improved dementia care support services in rural areas of Kansas.

RHTP Kansas awarded over $15M to providers and hospitals for advanced health technologies, care coordination, RPM, and AI platforms. Awards cover primary care, behavioral health, chronic disease management, and long-term care. Multiple rural counties benefit from new digital infrastructure and expanded access.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced a $16 million award to rural healthcare providers focusing on embracing new technologies to transform rural health. This represents a major investment in advancing rural healthcare infrastructure in Kansas.

This Kansas RHTP application funds innovative non-emergency medical transportation solutions for rural Kansans, aiming to increase access to care and reduce preventable health emergencies. $3 million is available to support roughly 2-3 subrecipient awards, with a focus on sustainable models that are non-duplicative of existing reimbursable services. Progress reporting and CMS-aligned evaluation are required, and the application process emphasizes readiness and sustainability. Key contacts: kdhe.rpgp@ks.gov; kdhe.RHTPCompliance@ks.gov Event schedule: - Notice of Funding Opportunity Released - 10/16/2026 - CT - Informational Webinar - 10/21/2026 - 9:00 AM CT - Register here - Deadline for Questions - 10/30/2026 - CT - Responses to Questions Posted - 11/6/2026 - CT - Application Deadline - 11/18/2026 - 12:00 PM CT - Online Portal - Award Announcement - 12/18/2026 - CT

Official KDHE October 9, 2026 webinar deck covering both Kansas Year 2 RFAs: $44M Regional Partnership Grant Program (RPGP) and $11M Transformative Capital Investment Grant Program (CAP). It explains eligible providers, project objectives, online application requirements, scoring, compliance limits, technical assistance, and the November 13, 2026 noon CT deadline. The slides are marked draft for preliminary discussion only and are supporting context, not a replacement for either RFA.

The Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program (KRHTP) is a major state initiative with $221.9M federal funding for FY26 to strengthen rural health systems. The Emerging Technology Committee (ETC) leads Initiative 5, focused on harnessing data and technology—including AI—to improve rural health outcomes, access, and provider efficiency. Key milestones include development of an ETC workplan, regular meetings to build consensus, and collaboration on technology procurement, implementation, and guidance for rural providers statewide. Key contacts: Sheena L. Schmidt; Wyatt Beckman; Shelby Rowell; Janet Stanek Event schedule: - ETC #1 Kickoff Meeting - 06/04/2026 - 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #2 Charter Development - 06/18/2026 - 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #3 Technology Discussions - 07/09/2026 - 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #4 BioSTL Feedback - 07/29/2026 - 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT - In-person/Hybrid - ETC #5 Project Updates - 08/27/2026 - 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #6 Project Updates - 09/24/2026 - 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #7 Final Workplan Review - 10/22/2026 - 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC Member Registration Survey Due - 06/16/2026

The Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program received $221.9 million in federal funding for FY2026, emphasizing the use of technology and data to improve rural health outcomes. An Emerging Technology Committee (ETC) was established to provide expert guidance on adoption of digital health and AI solutions in rural areas, with a focus on deploying ambient AI and supporting provider adoption. $6 million was allocated for ambient AI at Oracle-based rural sites with Great Plains Health Alliance as the initial partner; broader emerging technology grants are pending. Key contacts: Sheena Schmidt; Shelby Rowell; Wyatt Beckman; Tatiana Lin Event schedule: - Member Registration Survey Due - 06/16/2026 - CT - Next ETC Meeting - 06/18/2026 - 1:00 PM–3:00 PM CT - KHI (virtual meeting) - July In-Person Working Session - 07/29/2026 - Time TBD CT - KHI, Topeka - Work Plan Draft Due - 08/15/2026 - CT - Work Plan and Budget Finalized - 09/30/2026 - CT - BioSTL Global Innovation Summit - October 2026 - CT - BioSTL (St. Louis/planned event)

Kansas RHTP Year 1 funds significant contracts for administrative support, consumer-facing technology, behavioral health integration, and tribal health. Key initiatives include statewide deployment of Community Health Workers, computerized cognitive behavioral therapy, LEAP! Alzheimer's prevention, and mobile cancer screening in rural communities. KDHE partners with academic centers and rural networks to expand access and integrate quality improvement throughout the program. Key contacts: Matthew Lara; Janet Stanek; Dereck Totten, MD; Lainey Faulkner Event schedule: - Budget Period 1 Start - 12/31/2025 - Budget Period 1 End - 10/30/2026 - Kansas RHT Plan Year 1 Budget Narrative Revision - 2026-04 - Kansas - Kansas RHT Plan Year 1 Budget Narrative Revision - 2026-04-01 - Kansas

Superseded by KS - 2026 - Kansas RHT Plan Year 1 Budget Narrative Revision 2: July 2026

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) leads the program with coordination from the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance and other partners. The program framework includes five key initiatives: expanding prevention programs, securing local primary care access, building a sustainable rural health workforce, enabling value-based care, and harnessing data and technology. Event schedule: - Application submission - 11/03/2025

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced two new Request for Applications for the second year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The grants include Community Health Worker + Accountable Food is Medicine (CHW+AFIM) and Non-Emergency Transportation (NEMT), and applications open October 16, 2026. Both grants are available to eligible Kansas providers, with a submission deadline of November 18, 2026. Funding is contingent on CMS approval of the Year 2 RHTP budget.

Reference: ... well-being of rural communities across the country. KDHE's implementation of Link: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/2200

This document highlights the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program Technical Assistance HUB, providing ongoing support and resources for rural health transformation efforts in Kansas.