# Rhode Island Rural Community Health Network (RCHN) Development Funding – Initial RHTP Community Engagement

This opportunity funds the establishment, scaling, and sustainability of Rural Community Health Networks (RCHNs) in Rhode Island. Eligible applicants are municipalities, public or not-for-profit community-based organizations representing one or more of eighteen designated rural communities. The State’s vision is a community-driven system ensuring every rural resident has timely, coordinated, high quality care locally. Funding supports robust, interconnected networks that address local health priorities through community-driven strategies, with $125,000 for initial engagement and $30,000 for public health supplies per community. The initiative emphasizes local capacity building, cross-sector partnerships, and sustained rural health system transformation. Networks are expected to convene healthcare providers, behavioral health providers, schools, municipal agencies, businesses, residents, and other stakeholders to develop coordinated strategies to improve health and wellbeing in partnership with the State. Funding for subsequent years is based on performance, compliance, and availability, aligning with EOHHS' agreement with CMS; a single entity may represent multiple communities, but only one lead organization per community may contract with the State.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: GRANT
- Issued by: Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) (Rhode Island)
- Posted: 2026-07-30
- Application due: 2026-08-30
- Funding: $30,000 – $155,000
- Eligible applicants: Municipality, Public organization, Not-for-profit community-based organization
- How to apply: Submit completed application (RCHN_P1_Application_Form_7.22.26_fillable_v2.pdf) and required attachments by email to Christopher.J.Ausura@ohhs.ri.gov with subject “RCHN” and town name.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://eohhs.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur226/files/2026-07/RCHN%20P1%20Application%20Form%207.22.26_fillable%20v2.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are municipalities, public organizations, or not-for-profit community-based organizations representing one or more of Rhode Island’s 18 designated rural communities: Burrillville, New Shoreham, Charlestown, Gloucester, East Greenwich, Exeter, Foster, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Little Compton, North Smithfield, Portsmouth, Richmond, Scituate, Smithfield, Tiverton, West Greenwich, and Westerly. Organizations must have an existing relationship with the community, be registered vendors (or register prior to award), and meet minimum insurance requirements. For-profit organizations are not eligible as lead applicants but may be subrecipients. If no local organization has capacity, external organizations may apply with letters of support and justification.

## Requirements

Select one qualifying lead entity for each applying community; single entities may represent multiple communities. Complete and submit the official application questionnaire, including: community representation, list of eligible communities, health priorities, and key engaged stakeholders. Demonstrate capacity to convene local stakeholders, plan for public health supply distribution, budgeting for years 2-5, financial reporting/invoicing, and obtain required insurance coverage. Applicants must be registered vendors with the State or register before award. Attach staff qualifications and proposed roles, proof of insurance coverage or plan to obtain. Confirm no other entity is applying for funding for the same community. Applications must be submitted by email following instructions.

## Required attachments

- Completed application questionnaire
- List of engaged stakeholders and roles
- Staff details and qualifications
- Proof of insurance coverage or plan to obtain
- Letters of support (if applicant is external to community)

## Application package and source documents

- [RI - 2026 - Rural Community Health Network (RCHN) Development Application (RCHN_P1_Application_Form_7.22.26_fillable_v2)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/d6de47f6-1f6d-4241-aee3-f85bf76eb9a5/file) (primary) — official: https://eohhs.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur226/files/2026-07/RCHN%20P1%20Application%20Form%207.22.26_fillable%20v2.pdf
- [RI - 2026 - Rural Community Health Network (RCHN) Development Application](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/3bb57f1a-0e2f-4da0-9af7-86240d870f89/file)
- [RI - 2025 - Letters of support](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/32717bad-2c0a-4fcd-9758-d42ae05b4592/file) — official: https://eohhs.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur226/files/2025-11/RI%20RHTP%20-%20Attachment%20D%20-%20Other%20Supporting%20Materials%202025%2011-3.pdf

More Rhode Island RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ri (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ri.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/rhode-island-rural-community-health-network-rchn-development-funding-initial-rht--f0dca6155c — data as of 2026-10-25.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.