Kentucky Office of Rural Health

05/01/2026

📣 New RCORP funding opportunities for rural communities

Two funding opportunities are now open through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), supporting efforts to strengthen systems of care and improve outcomes related to substance use in rural areas.

☝️ The RCORP-Planning grant helps communities build partnerships and develop the foundation for a coordinated system of care to address substance use disorder.

✌️ The RCORP-Impact grant supports organizations in expanding and strengthening services across the continuum of care, including prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.

These opportunities can help organizations:
🔹 Build local partnerships and collaboration
🔹 Strengthen community capacity
🔹 Expand access to behavioral health and substance use services
If your organization is working to improve health outcomes in rural Kentucky, these may be worth exploring.

🔗 Learn more and apply here:
https://simpler.grants.gov/search?utm_source=Grants.gov&query=Rural+Communities+Opioid+Response

05/01/2026

🚪 Becoming an NHSC-approved site can open doors for organizations AND the communities they serve.

Through the National Health Service Corps, approved sites have opportunities to connect with clinicians, share open positions, and strengthen the health care workforce in underserved areas. Resources like the Health Workforce Connector and virtual job fairs can help support recruitment efforts and expand access to care across Kentucky.

Learn more about becoming an NHSC-approved site: https://ow.ly/Y8af50YyJYP

04/30/2026

🚑 That’s a wrap on the 2026 Kentucky Resuscitation Academy!

Last month, the Kentucky Office of Rural Health was proud to help host an incredible two-day Kentucky Resuscitation Academy, bringing together partners and professionals from across the state to strengthen cardiac arrest response and save lives.

Attendees participated in hands-on, evidence-based training covering science of CPR, high-performance CPR, cardiac arrest data collection, and more!

Day two featured a High-Performance CPR Train-the-Trainer Workshop, equipping participants with the skills to bring this lifesaving knowledge back to their own teams and communities.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes across Kentucky. ❤️

📸 Check out highlights from the event below!

04/30/2026

📣 New Funding Opportunity for Kentucky Communities

The Foundation For a Healthy Kentucky is offering Partnerships for Success (PFS) grants to support community-driven efforts that prevent substance misuse and strengthen behavioral health.

💰 Up to $50,000 available
📅 Applications due June 15, 2026
📍 Must serve communities in Kentucky

This funding supports projects that:
✔️ Address alcohol, ni****ne (including va**ng), and cannabis misuse
✔️ Use evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches
✔️ Center and benefit communities with limited opportunities
✔️ Tackle locally identified behavioral health challenges

If your organization is working to build healthier, stronger communities, this is a great opportunity to expand or launch prevention efforts.

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://healthy-ky.org/partnerships-for-success

04/30/2026

HAPPENING TODAY! 🚨 Due to funding restrictions, this is open to CAHs ONLY. All other registrations will be cancelled.🚨

🏥 🚑 ED transfers are high-stakes—and strong communication matters. This Flex Program–supported event is designed specifically and exclusively for CAHs, and hosted by the Kentucky Office of Rural Health and Convergence:

Mastering the EDTC Measure: A Kentucky CAH Learning Collaborative

📅 April 30, 2026
⏰ 12:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. ET
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/3NmRzRc
💡 Cost: Free
⚠️ Space is limited

For Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), achieving 100% compliance with the Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC) measure can be challenging due to its “all-or-none” scoring.

The first meeting of this four-part learning collaborative will bring together Kentucky CAHs to strengthen ED transfer communication and improve care coordination. During this collaborative, participants will:

• Learn the EDTC quality measure and its requirements
• Share challenges and successful strategies with peers across Kentucky
• Explore ways to improve communication during ED transfers
• Identify opportunities to enhance patient safety and care coordination

You’ll also have the chance to connect with peers across the state and collaborate on real-world solutions.

Recommended audience: CAH leadership, CAH quality improvement staff, CAH emergency department leaders, and CAH staff involved in transfer coordination.

📩 Questions? Contact Medina Tipton at medina.tipton@uky.edu

4-Part Learning Collaborative for Kentucky CAHs to work together to improve the Emergency Department Transfer Communication process

04/29/2026

🚨 We want YOU at the 2026 Kentucky RHC Summit 🚨

Sponsor/exhibitor applications are officially open—and this is your chance to be part of one of Kentucky’s key rural health gatherings! 🔗 bit.ly/2026rhcsponsors

You’ll be in the room with Rural Health Clinics, organizations exploring RHC status, and partners who are all working toward the same goal: stronger, more connected rural healthcare.

✨ Find the sponsorship level that fits your organization:
• Gold – top-tier visibility + premium placement
• Silver – strong presence + added recognition
• Bronze – a solid seat at the table
• Non-Profit – a more accessible option for mission-driven groups

📍 August 13, 2026
📍 The Campbell House

⏳ Apply by July 1, 2026
🔗 bit.ly/2026rhcsponsors

ℹ Questions? Contact Medina Tipton at medina.tipton@uky.edu

04/28/2026

🚨 Due to funding restrictions, this is open to CAHs ONLY. All other registrations will be cancelled.🚨

🏥 🚑 ED transfers are high-stakes—and strong communication matters. This Flex Program–supported event is designed specifically and exclusively for CAHs, and hosted by the Kentucky Office of Rural Health and Convergence:

Mastering the EDTC Measure: A Kentucky CAH Learning Collaborative

📅 April 30, 2026
⏰ 12:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. ET
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/3NmRzRc
💡 Cost: Free
⚠️ Space is limited

For Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), achieving 100% compliance with the Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC) measure can be challenging due to its “all-or-none” scoring.

The first meeting of this four-part learning collaborative will bring together Kentucky CAHs to strengthen ED transfer communication and improve care coordination. During this collaborative, participants will:

• Learn the EDTC quality measure and its requirements
• Share challenges and successful strategies with peers across Kentucky
• Explore ways to improve communication during ED transfers
• Identify opportunities to enhance patient safety and care coordination

You’ll also have the chance to connect with peers across the state and collaborate on real-world solutions.

Recommended audience: CAH leadership, CAH quality improvement staff, CAH emergency department leaders, and CAH staff involved in transfer coordination.

📩 Questions? Contact Medina Tipton at medina.tipton@uky.edu

4-Part Learning Collaborative for Kentucky CAHs to work together to improve the Emergency Department Transfer Communication process

04/24/2026

📣 New funding opportunity now open through Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)!

🦷 Accredited Dental Hygiene Programs (RFA)
Funding is available to establish or expand accredited dental hygiene programs in Kentucky, helping to strengthen the oral health workforce and increase access to care in rural communities by building training capacity and supporting program growth statewide.

📅 Deadline to apply: May 22, 2026
🔗 Apply here: bit.ly/4e0CEHe

This opportunity is part of a broader effort to strengthen rural health systems and improve oral health outcomes across the Commonwealth, with funding beginning July 1, 2026.

04/23/2026

🌟 Looking to lead community-driven health innovation in rural Kentucky?

🏥 Rural Health Transformation Hub Leadership Opportunity for Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation

The Rural Community Hub (RCH) initiative supports community-driven projects that improve health care access, address local health needs, and strengthen systems of care across rural Kentucky. This effort will establish hubs across all Area Development Districts (ADDs), with a phased rollout beginning in Big Sandy, Lake Cumberland, and Purchase regions.

📅 Deadline to apply: June 1, 2026 by 6:00 p.m. ET
🔗 Learn more/apply: https://healthy-ky.org/rch
ℹ For questions regarding the RFA: RCHgrant@healthy-KY.org

This opportunity is part of a broader effort to strengthen rural health systems and improve outcomes across the Commonwealth, with funding beginning July 1, 2026.