Kansas

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.

The press release announces a significant increase in RHT Alliance membership, signaling growing state engagement as states move from RHTP planning to execution. It highlights Kansas's participation in this transition, reflecting momentum in rural health transformation efforts.

Kansas RHTP advanced to the implementation phase, obligating over $100M in Year 1 across 5 initiatives and 24 programs designed to transform rural health care. Major sub-awards were made through competitive RFAs, including over $30M for REH/CAP (facility conversions and capital investments) and approximately $50M through the Regional Partnerships Grant Program to diverse providers. The program emphasizes chronic disease prevention, improved primary care access, behavioral health integration, workforce expansion, value-based payment, and health IT adoption, with updated progress and timelines for current and future years. Event schedule: - Notice of Award - 12/29/2025 - Revised Budget due to CMS - 1/30/2026 - Funds available to State for authorized expenditures - Q1 2026 - End of first reporting period - 07/31/2026 - Annual report & funding request for 2nd budget period due - 08/30/2026 - First budget period ends; agreements must be signed and personnel funds spent - 10/30/2026 - Second budget period funding announced - 10/31/2026 - All 1st budget period funds must be expended - 09/30/2027

KDADS is funding a pilot to provide up to $200,000 per rural nursing facility for enhanced dementia behavior support, targeting facilities across six regions. Facilities will use funds for individualized training, technical assistance, and consultation to better serve Medicaid recipients aged 60+ with complex dementia behaviors. The pilot aims to improve care quality, expand behavioral supports, and generate evidence for future Medicaid program design. Key contacts: KDADS Aging Commission KDADS.AgingCommission@ks.gov Event schedule: - Pre-application Presentation - 08/07/2026 - 11:00 AM CT - Microsoft Teams meeting link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/261790897708678?p=2p4m6v7eNxSxPlDi27 - Written Questions Submitted By - 08/07/2026 - 5:00 PM CT - Written Questions Answered - 08/12/2026 - 5:00 PM CT - Applications Due - 08/21/2026 - 5:00 PM CT - KDADS.AgingCommission@ks.gov - Awards Announced (subject to change) - 09/07/2026 - 5:00 PM CT

This RFA invites applications from rural nursing facilities in Kansas to implement dementia-related behavioral support programs. The initiative aims to enhance quality of care for rural elderly populations through targeted behavioral interventions.

This supporting document is part of an RFA package to pilot improved behavioral supports for dementia care in rural Kansas nursing facilities. It accompanies the main solicitation and provides program context. The initiative seeks to strengthen facility capacity and staff expertise to manage challenging dementia behaviors.

Kansas is developing a rural nurse residency program and an incentive program to expand clinical instructor and preceptor capacity in rural hospitals and schools. The consultant will work with rural hospitals and nursing schools to implement residency curriculum, training academies, and promote retention and workforce expansion. These efforts are designed to address rural nursing shortages and improve nurse graduate transition to practice. Key contacts: jfindley@kha-net.org

The Revenue Technical Support Program RFP is open to all qualified vendors, with a statewide scope to assist participating rural hospitals in Kansas. Questions and answers are shared publicly to ensure a transparent procurement process aligned with the Rural Health Transformation Program. No preferential treatment is given, and selection will follow established evaluation procedures.

This application template outlines KDHE's process for awarding Emerging Technology Program grants under the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan. The example budget narrative details categories and rationale for using advanced technology (e.g., AI clinical decision support platform) in rural healthcare settings. Applicants must align proposals to program goals, address sustainability, and provide robust project evaluation metrics.

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)

The report analyzes the relationship between commercial reimbursement rates and the financial health of rural hospitals in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. It finds that inadequate commercial rates, especially from dominant payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, are a primary driver of rural hospital distress. Modeling shows that higher commercial reimbursements could shift hospitals from loss to positive margins, supporting essential rural healthcare services.

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

Reference: Kdads Seeks Applicants for Rural Dementia Care Pilot Link: https://fortscott.biz/news/kdads-seeks-applicants-for-rural-dementia-care-pilot

This program seeks a consultant to help expand health science career and technical education pathways in rural Kansas K-12 schools. The consultant will coordinate with local and state partners, establish agreements, track student participation, and help administer program incentives. The initiative aims to strengthen the rural health workforce pipeline. Key contacts: Not given jfindley@kha-net.org

This document seeks a consultant to lead the development and execution of a centralized credentialing verification program as part of Kansas's transformation efforts under the Rural Health Transformation Program. The consultant will be responsible for managing credentialing workflows, ensuring compliance, and driving performance improvements to benefit rural hospitals and providers. The program aims to reduce administrative delays and support cost savings across the healthcare ecosystem. Key contacts: No explicit full name listed jfindley@kha-net.org