# Delaware Rural 'Hope Center' Initiative

Funds two new Rural Hope Centers in Kent and Sussex Counties, modeled after New Castle County’s homeless-integrated-care hub, to address rural health disparities and workforce shortages. The initiative prioritizes technological innovation, value-based care, and data tracking, with milestones for site acquisition and operational launch. Award is via direct agreement and not a competitive RFP.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: GRANT
- Issued by: Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) (Delaware)
- Questions due: 2026-04-30
- Application due: 2026-05-31
- Funding: $97.5M
- Eligible applicants: County Government, Municipal Government, Community Health Provider, Nonprofit Health Organization
- How to apply: Direct agreement with Delaware DHSS. Submission details will be communicated to eligible entities; formal competitive RFP not required.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://dhss.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/RHTP_Project_Narrative_1.16.2026.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are county and municipal government entities, or locally recognized community health providers and organizations, located in Sussex or Kent County, Delaware. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to manage integrated care delivery and coordination for rural populations, including partnerships with local stakeholders and providers. Preference given to those with measurable outcomes in homeless services, behavioral health, and primary care integration.

## Requirements

Applicants must secure a facility site in Sussex or Kent County by 6/30/2026, establish partnerships with a minimum of five rural healthcare and community organizations by project completion, integrate care coordination services for rural and underserved residents, and commit to a sustainability plan incorporating fee-for-service and subsidized care. Attachments must include a project plan, a partnership declaration, operations budget, sustainability commitments, and documentation of readiness for facility acquisition/launch.

## Required attachments

- Project Plan
- Partnership Declarations
- Operations Budget
- Sustainability Plan
- Readiness Documentation

## Application package and source documents

- [DE - 2025 - Delaware RHT Plan: Strategy, Initiatives, and Performance Objectives (DE RHTP Project Narrative)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/80f0934d-0c6f-4a05-8ab1-a5bf7f81f7ae/file) (primary) — official: https://dhss.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/RHTP_Project_Narrative_1.16.2026.pdf

More Delaware RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/de (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/de.md)

---
Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/delaware-rural-hope-center-initiative--8633b8b8d5 — data as of 2026-08-18.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.