# Expanding School Health Centers to Rural Areas Funding Opportunity

Through the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program (NCRHTP), NCDHHS is funding the expansion of school-based health centers (SBHCs) into rural areas to increase access to integrated physical and behavioral health care for youth. Up to $1,250,000 in federal funds will be awarded to support up to five sites serving schools in HRSA-defined rural census tracts with significant need for health services. Funding is one-time and provided under H.R. 1, with 100% of costs federally supported per the Stevens Amendment Disclosure, Section 505, Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The opportunity specifically targets sites with limited access to providers and is restricted to currently contracted School Health Center Program providers, as identified and directly invited by the Division. School Health Centers provide comprehensive and preventive care via direct services and/or referrals, supporting physical, mental, behavioral, and nutritional health for students in rural North Carolina.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFA
- Issued by: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), School, Adolescent, and Child Health Unit, Whole Child Health Section, Division of Child and Family Well-Being (North Carolina)
- Posted: 2026-06-28
- Questions due: 2026-07-29
- Application due: 2026-08-12
- Funding: $1.3M
- Eligible applicants: Current NCDHHS Division of Child and Family Well-Being School Health Center Program providers (invited only)
- How to apply: Email submission (details provided directly to invited applicants).
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/department-initiatives/rural-health-transformation-program/rural-health-transformation-program-grant-opportunities

## Eligibility

INVITED-ONLY; NOT AN OPEN COMPETITIVE RFA: Only entities already under contract or grant agreement with the Division of Child and Family Well-Being to provide School Health Center Programs are eligible and have been directly notified. Eligible sites must be in HRSA-defined rural census tracts lacking access to local behavioral and/or physical health providers, or facing explicit barriers (such as transportation) to accessing these services. Priority is given to high-need rural areas as identified using the HRSA rural health grants analyzer. Applicants must offer coordinated, preventive health services as part of the School Health Centers Program administered by NCDHHS.

## Requirements

Applicants must be contracted or in a grant agreement with the NCDHHS Division of Child and Family Well-Being for a School Health Center Program. Proposed locations must be rural census tracts per the HRSA rural grants analyzer, demonstrably lacking sufficient behavioral or physical health provider access, or where barriers like transportation affect service access. Applications must include: a justification of rural health need, defined projected impacts, and a detailed plan for integration of physical and behavioral health care delivery. Applicants must provide comprehensive, preventive health services directly, or via referral, in partnership with medical, behavioral, and community service providers.

## Required attachments

- Proposal Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Statement of Need for Rural Area
- Letters of Support

## Application package and source documents

- [NC - 2026 - Rural Health Innovation Fund Launch in North Carolina (Source listing page)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/2a730fad-dee9-47f1-8756-69d9b7228e11/file) (primary) — official: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/department-initiatives/rural-health-transformation-program/rural-health-transformation-program-grant-opportunities
- [NC - 2026 - Rural Health Innovation Fund Announcement](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/ce1ea373-e5c4-40b0-ba4b-c61b2bfcbf23/file) — official: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/department-initiatives/rural-health-transformation-program/rural-health-transformation-program-grant-opportunities?utm_term=0_-9b60c926d1-434336826&mc_cid=09b85285c6&mc_eid=UNIQID

More North Carolina RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/nc (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/nc.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/expanding-school-health-centers-to-rural-areas-funding-opportunity--6f79d7edc0 — data as of 2026-09-04.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.