The Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program, administered by KDHE in partnership with organizations such as the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance and Healthworks, is actively implementing structured initiatives to improve rural health outcomes, including care model innovation, technology adoption, workforce pipeline development, and targeted pilot programs for dementia care and chronic disease management. Current focus areas include Emerging Technology grants, centralized credentialing, revenue technical support, Community Health Worker and Accountable Food is Medicine projects, workforce development, and interfacility transport improvements. Current structured plan tracks 14 key initiatives and 12 strategic goals.
County-level estimates averaged across Kansas — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
10.6%
-0.8pp
Uninsured (18–64)
11.4%
-1pp
Diabetes
38.7%
+1.2pp
Obesity
15.9%
-0.2pp
Current smoking
34.6%
-1.5pp
High blood pressure
28.1%
+0.4pp
Physical inactivity
6.8%
-0.1pp
Heart disease
3.4%
-0.3pp
Stroke
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (105)
County
Pop
Poverty
Uninsured
Johnson County
620,631
5.4%
3.4%
Sedgwick County
528,226
13.9%
9.7%
Shawnee County
178,025
12.7%
8.7%
Wyandotte County
167,654
15.8%
12.0%
Douglas County
120,302
14.7%
5.3%
Leavenworth County
83,123
8.8%
7.1%
Riley County
71,946
19.9%
10.9%
Butler County
68,287
8.5%
6.0%
Reno County
61,553
12.5%
8.5%
Saline County
53,668
11.9%
9.0%
Crawford County
39,008
20.6%
14.1%
Finney County
38,084
11.1%
8.5%
Demographics
Total population
2.9MCensus ACS5 2024
Rural population
873KUSDA ERS RUCC 2023
Rural population %
29.7%USDA ERS RUCC 2023
Poverty rate
11.3%Census ACS5 2024
Median household income
$74,275Census ACS5 2024
Uninsured rate
7.5%Census ACS5 2024
CAH count
82HRSA GIS (live)
Rural hospital facilities
0AI extracted
Primary care HPSA
63HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
Dental HPSA
32HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
Mental health HPSA
20HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
MUA count
92HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
MUP count
14HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
FQHC facilities
115HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
RHC facilities
182HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
AI source: KS - 2026 - Kansas Landing Page (updated: September 19, 2026)
AI auto-updated Sep 19, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
RHTP Strategic Goals
1Improve rural Kansans’ health outcomes by promoting preventative health care and addressing root causes of disease
2Expand access to primary, specialty, behavioral, and emergency care across rural communities
3Enhance efficiency, sustainability, and financial viability of rural health care providers
4Standardize and improve provider onboarding and credentialing for rural Kansas
5Attract and retain a highly-skilled, diverse rural health workforce
6Enable value-based care and move rural Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries into accountable care relationships
7Foster innovative, integrated care models to improve quality and reduce costs
8Harness and scale emerging technologies—including AI, telehealth, advanced diagnostic tools, data infrastructure, and remote monitoring—to improve access and provider capacity
9Advance data sharing and integrate rural providers within national health information networks
10Transform rural health facilities and capital infrastructure to support expanded services
Worth to Notice / Recent Updates (16)
Key signals are summarized here. Open the source for the supporting detail.
KS - 2026 - Kansas RHT Plan Year 1 Budget Narrative Revision 2: July 2026
Year 1 Budget Narrative Revision 2
Rural population29.7%
872,644 rural residents
Current Progress
Implementing
Kansas has issued multiple RFPs and RFAs under the Rural Health Transformation Program in 2026, including major technology, care delivery, and revenue improvement initiatives. Applications remain open for projects such as the Centralized Credentialing Pilot, All Payers Scorecard, CFO mentoring, and Community Health Worker grants. Nearly $80M in awards has already been distributed to 39 organizations, with additional subgrants underway and procurement support actively expanding. Award recipients are now launching and deploying funded technologies across state regions, with active implementation underway. State opportunities: 11 total (11 past/closed), $69.7M listed funding. Key opportunities: Regional Partnership Grant Program (RPGP); REH Conversion/Transformative Capital Investment Grant Program (REH/CAP); Emerging Technology Program – Rural Health Transformation Plan (Kansas Program Year 1). Strategy alignment: supports telehealth priorities.
RHTP Strategy
Kansas RHTP advances rural health transformation through targeted, statewide initiatives that expand prevention, access, financial sustainability, workforce development, and technology adoption. Oversight by KDHE, KDADS, and the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance ensures phased implementation, rigorous outcome measurement, and robust stakeholder collaboration. The strategy integrates operational models and innovative technology, emphasizing continuous improvement and alignment with rural provider needs.
Model
Kansas deploys an initiative-driven grant and pilot framework under state and alliance oversight, distributing resources to address prevention, access, workforce, credentialing, financial stewardship, interfacility transport, dementia care, and technology adoption in collaboration with stakeholders and expert organizations.
Key Initiatives (14)
1Centralized Credentialing Verification Pilot Project to streamline provider onboarding, standardize credentialing policies, and reduce administrative burden via a phased, scalable model
2Revenue Technical Support Organization Program to optimize rural hospital finances, reimbursement, and payer accountability through centralized statewide technical support
3All-Kansas Payer Scorecard Program for statewide payer performance measurement, benchmarking, and financial transparency
Timeline: First budget period: December 31, 2025 – October 30, 2026; funds available Q1 2026; grant application deadlines from June through August 2026; all first period funds to be expended by September 30, 2027. Annual reporting and committee reviews recur, with subsequent budget periods following upon milestone completion.
11Reduce chronic disease burden and health disparities in rural populations
12Improve the quality and availability of dementia-related behavioral supports in rural nursing facilities
Health Priority
Provider credentialing and onboarding
Focus on reducing credentialing timeframes and administrative burden to improve access to care in rural Kansas.
rural Kansas
Sep 24, 2026
Health Priority
Rural hospital financial sustainability
Centralized revenue cycle support aims to reduce claim denials, accelerate payment resolution, and improve payer accountability.
rural Kansas
Sep 24, 2026
Health Priority
Workforce Development
Expanding training opportunities and professional development such as nurse residencies, behavioral health apprenticeships, and career technical education in rural areas.
Rural Kansas
Sep 24, 2026
ReferencePDF2026-2030Budget: $221.9M
KS - 2026 - Kansas RHT Plan Year 2 Budget Narrative August 2026
Year 2 Budget Narrative (under CMS review, not yet final)
ReferencePDF2026-2030Budget: $156.0M
KS - 2026 - Kansas Federal RHTP Award (FY2026-FY2030)
Year 2 Project Narrative (under CMS review, not yet final)
Great Plains Health Alliance and Pioneer Health Network will deploy Avel eCare telemedicine services to 31 rural Kansas hospitals across all six Kansas Hospital Association regions, providing inpatient, emergency and psychiatric tele-coverage.
$5.0M
Regional Partnership
2026
Great Plains Health Alliance
Initial implementation partner for deployment of ambient AI listening technology for rural facilities using Oracle systems.
$6.0M
Health IT
2026
Boston Consulting Group
Boston Consulting Group will support Kansas RHTP implementation with rapid response and infrastructure development, focusing on staffing and process improvements at KDHE.
$3.0M
Other
2026
Boston Consulting Group
Consulting services for rapid response implementation support of Kansas RHTP, including state-level infrastructure development and process management.
$4.8M
Other
2026
Children's Mercy Hospital
Children's Mercy Hospital, in partnership with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, KUMC Great Bend and Logan County Health Services, will implement the Rural Pediatric Chronic Care Network using AI-driven risk identification, Epic-integrated care coordination and telemedicine co-management to support children in rural communities.
$6.1M
Regional Partnership
2026
Stormont Vail Health
Stormont Vail HealthCare proposes PrairieLINK, a regional clinically integrated network and shared services infrastructure to strengthen rural hospital sustainability across northeastern and central Kansas through performance benchmarking, care coordination and value-based care alignment.
$5.5M
Regional Partnership
2026
Recovery Unlimited
Recovery Unlimited KS will create a technology-enabled substance use disorder treatment model linking community supervision, primary care and specialized treatment through Skyscape telehealth platform, establishing medical detox centers in south-central and western Kansas.
$4.3M
Regional Partnership
2026
Garden City Community College
Garden City Community College will lead the "Frontline Futures" partnership to expand clinical training, launch a diagnostic medical sonography program, develop an accelerated radiology technology pathway, and build a regional healthcare workforce pipeline across western and southwestern Kansas.
$3.4M
Regional Partnership
2026
Gove County Medical Center
Replacement of an unreliable mobile MRI with a permanent fixed MRI system, restoring reliable diagnostic imaging access for this 21-bed critical access hospital (CAH) in western Kansas.
$3.0M
Capital Investment
2026
Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System
Renovation of an idle nursing home facility on campus into an adult acute behavioral health unit and integrating with a new KU School of Medicine psychiatry residency program.
$3.0M
Capital Investment
…
Announcement Documents (5)
✉️
AnnouncementSep 15, 2026TXT
Kansas Department of Health and Environment awarded $16 million in RHTP grants focused on advancing healthcare technology implementation in rural areas. This funding aims to transform rural health care through technology adoption.
Award: $16.0MHEALTH_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY
Core Initiatives
Improve rural healthcare technology access
Enhance delivery of rural health services
✉️
AnnouncementAug 5, 2026TXT
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.
Award AnnouncementSep 19, 2026PDF2025FederalOpportunity ↗
RHTP Kansas awarded over $15M to providers and hospitals for advanced health technologies, care coordination, RPM, and AI platforms. Awards cover primary care, behavioral health, chronic disease management, and long-term care. Multiple rural counties benefit from new digital infrastructure and expanded access.
Award: $15.7MHEALTH_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY
Core Initiatives
Expand access to advanced technologies in rural hospitals
Enhance integration and coordination of rural health services
Strengthen quality and sustainability of rural healthcare
✉️
Award AnnouncementSep 15, 2026TXT2026Federal
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced a $16 million award to rural healthcare providers focusing on embracing new technologies to transform rural health. This represents a major investment in advancing rural healthcare infrastructure in Kansas.
📄
Award AnnouncementAug 14, 2026PDFFederalOpportunity ↗
Application Documents (17)
🌐
ApplicationAug 22, 2026HTML2026
This document contains general information and news headlines related to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, including upcoming programs and construction projects, but does not contain any RHTP relevant funding, awards, or solicitations.
Event schedule:
- Governor Kelly Announces CMS Approval of Kansas’s Community Supports Waiver Effective , 2026 - October 1 - Governor Laura Kelly and KDADS, in partnership with KDHE, announced CMS approval of new Community Supports Wai...
- KDADS to Implement Waitlist for Frail Elderly HCBS Waiver Effective , 2026 - July 6 - View All News
- KDADS announced today that a waitlist for the Frail Elderly Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver will take effect today, , 2026. - July 6 - View All News
Event Schedule
Governor Kelly Announces CMS Approval of Kansas’s Community Supports Waiver Effective , 2026 - October 1 - Governor Laura Kelly and KDADS, in partnership with KDHE, announced CMS approval of new Community Supports Wai...
KDADS to Implement Waitlist for Frail Elderly HCBS Waiver Effective , 2026 - July 6 - View All News
KDADS announced today that a waitlist for the Frail Elderly Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver will take effect today, , 2026. - July 6 - View All News
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 document serves as a supporting meeting summary for the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan under the Emerging Technology Program Year 1 RFA. It provides context or information linked to the main application solicitation but does not include budget, award, or recipient details.
Event schedule:
- Posted on , 2026 - September 15 - Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Pomona, Franklin County
- Posted on , 2026 - September 14 - Boil Water Advisory Issued for Marion Co. RWD #1, Marion County
- Posted on , 2026 - September 12 - KDHE Awards Over $780K for Innovative Approaches to Interfacility Transportation
- Posted on , 2026 - September 14 - Boil Water Advisory Issued for a Portion of the City of Syracuse, Hamilton County
- Posted on , 2026 - September 11 - KDHE Home
Event Schedule
Posted on , 2026 - September 15 - Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Pomona, Franklin County
Posted on , 2026 - September 14 - Boil Water Advisory Issued for Marion Co. RWD #1, Marion County
Posted on , 2026 - September 12 - KDHE Awards Over $780K for Innovative Approaches to Interfacility Transportation
Show all schedule items (5)
Posted on , 2026 - September 15 - Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Pomona, Franklin County
Posted on , 2026 - September 14 - Boil Water Advisory Issued for Marion Co. RWD #1, Marion County
Posted on , 2026 - September 12 - KDHE Awards Over $780K for Innovative Approaches to Interfacility Transportation
Posted on , 2026 - September 14 - Boil Water Advisory Issued for a Portion of the City of Syracuse, Hamilton County
Posted on , 2026 - September 11 - KDHE Home
📄
GuidanceAug 25, 2026PDF2026Current version (2)Opportunity ↗
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)
Award: $221.9MHEALTH_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY · POPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER
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
Show all schedule items (6)
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)
Tatiana Lin - Director of Business Strategy and Innovation, KHI - Statewide/KHI
Janet Stanek - Secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment - Statewide/KDHE
Matt Lara - Chief of Staff and RHTP Program Director - Statewide/KDHE
Martie Ross - State Partner - Statewide/UKHS Care Collaborative Association
Kristin Ebert - BioSTL - BioSTL
Core Initiatives
Transform rural health in Kansas through technology and data
Ensure remote patient monitoring and telehealth are available to rural residents
Align all rural providers with the national health data exchange framework (TEFCA)
Show all initiatives (5)
Transform rural health in Kansas through technology and data
Ensure remote patient monitoring and telehealth are available to rural residents
Align all rural providers with the national health data exchange framework (TEFCA)
Support adoption of artificial intelligence technology to improve clinical care and operational efficiency
Advance prevention, accessibility, sustainability, and value-based care in rural Kansas
Report Documents (2)
📄
ReportJun 11, 2026PDF2022
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.
FINANCE · OTHER
Core Initiatives
Achieve financial sustainability for rural hospitals in Kansas.
Align commercial payer reimbursement with actual cost of care.
Enhance rural hospital viability to maintain essential health 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: Kdhe Awards 16M in Rural Health Transformation Program Grants to Implement Emerging Healthcare Technologies
Link: https://www.kscbnews.net/kdhe-awards-16m-in-rural-health-transformation-program-grants-to-implement-emerging-healthcare-technologies/
Kansas was awarded $221 million from CMS to support the first year of the RHTP, with nearly $80 million sub-granted to 39 organizations through RPGP and REH/CAP grants. RHTP grant opportunities support rural hospitals, clinics, FQHCs, behavioral health providers, and long-term care facilities in Kansas to implement quality improvement, technology, and workforce development projects. Kansas is actively launching several RHTP initiatives, including infrastructure payments, technology adoption, and evidence-based practice support. Key contacts: KDHE Rural Health Transformation Program Office [email protected]
Event schedule:
- Emerging Technology Application Live - 06/10/2026 - CT - Online portal
- Emerging Technology Application Close - 07/10/2026 - CT - Online portal
- Emerging Technology RFA Webinar - 06/22/2026 - 1:00 PM CT - Webinar link
- Interfacility Transport Project Application Close - 07/31/2026 - CT - Online portal
- Interfacility Transport Project Award Announcement - 08/28/2026 - CT
- EBP Program Introductory Webinar - 03/30/2026 - 12:00 PM CT - Webinar
- CHW + AFIM Webinar - 06/04/2026 - 12:00 PM CT - Webinar
KDHE Rural Health Transformation Program Office - <[email protected]> - RHTP Program Office - Statewide - Kansas
Core Initiatives
Improve health outcomes for rural Kansans and transform delivery systems by promoting preventative care and addressing root causes of diseases
Enhance efficiency and sustainability of rural health care providers
Attract and retain a highly-skilled rural health workforce
Show all initiatives (5)
Improve health outcomes for rural Kansans and transform delivery systems by promoting preventative care and addressing root causes of diseases
Enhance efficiency and sustainability of rural health care providers
Attract and retain a highly-skilled rural health workforce
Spark growth of innovative care models that improve quality and reduce costs
Foster innovative technologies to increase access to rural care
Award: $16.0MHEALTH_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY
Core Initiatives
Expand adoption of new healthcare technologies in rural settings
Improve quality of care in rural healthcare providers
Kansas awarded over $950,000 in federal funding across seven rural hospital and health system recipients to implement Community Health Worker and Accountable Food is Medicine programs. These projects target chronic disease management with integrated nutrition interventions tailored to rural populations.
Award: $956KPOPULATION_HEALTH
Core Initiatives
Improve chronic disease outcomes through community health worker and nutrition-based interventions
Address social determinants of health to reduce rural health disparities
Integrate clinical care with community-based support for sustainable health improvements
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
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
Show all schedule items (5)
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
Increase training, technical assistance, and consultation for nursing facility staff to improve care for residents with complex dementia-related behaviors.
Increase services and supports for residents with dementia-related complex behaviors.
Provide KDADS with information to support the development of a Medicaid add-on based on successful pilot elements.
QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · POPULATION_HEALTH
Core Initiatives
Improve dementia care in rural nursing facilities
Enhance behavioral health supports for rural elderly populations
Kansas RHTP Year 1 budget totals nearly $222 million, with significant investments in contracts, subrecipients, infrastructure, and administrative management. The plan features robust statewide partnerships, third-party evaluation, technology-enabled prevention, workforce development, behavioral health integration, and support for older adults and those with Alzheimer's or other chronic diseases. All activities are centrally coordinated by KDHE with support from cross-sector state agencies and external partners.
Event schedule:
- Budget Period 1 Start - 2025-12-31 - Kansas
- Budget Period 1 End - 2026-10-30 - Kansas
- Third calendar quarter 2026 performance measure submission deadline - 2026-09-30 - Kansas
- Program Year 1 active period - 2026-07 - Kansas
Expand primary and secondary prevention programs in rural areas
Deploy rural community health workers and Accountable Food Is Medicine interventions
Advance technology-based prevention and wellness initiatives for rural communities
Show all initiatives (18)
Expand primary and secondary prevention programs in rural areas
Deploy rural community health workers and Accountable Food Is Medicine interventions
Advance technology-based prevention and wellness initiatives for rural communities
Integrate behavioral health with primary care in rural Kansas
Implement embedded behavioral health services in rural nursing facilities
Secure Local Access To Primary Care
Build a Sustainable Rural Workforce
Enable Value-Based Care
Implement and sustain evidence-based practices
Support quarterly quality reporting
Establish an ACO Readiness Program for rural providers
Develop transportation programs for rural health
Enhance Medicaid provider incentive payments
Harness data and technology for rural health improvements
Deploy remote patient monitoring
Operate Telehealth Navigator Program
Build Data Infrastructure including Health Data Utility and Data Dock
Implement Emerging Technology solutions including AI
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
WORKFORCE
Contacts
<jfindley@kha-net.org> - Kansas
Core Initiatives
Increase new nurse graduate retention in rural hospitals
Expand available nursing clinical sites and rural preceptors
Strengthen the rural nurse workforce pipeline
Kansas RHTP Year 1 funds significant contracts for administrative support, consumer-facing technology, behavioral health integration, and tribal health. Key initiatives include statewide deployment of Community Health Workers, computerized cognitive behavioral therapy, LEAP! Alzheimer's prevention, and mobile cancer screening in rural communities. KDHE partners with academic centers and rural networks to expand access and integrate quality improvement throughout the program. Key contacts: Matthew Lara; Janet Stanek; Dereck Totten, MD; Lainey Faulkner
Event schedule:
- Budget Period 1 Start - 12/31/2025
- Budget Period 1 End - 10/30/2026
- Kansas RHT Plan Year 1 Budget Narrative Revision - 2026-04 - Kansas
- Kansas RHT Plan Year 1 Budget Narrative Revision - 2026-04-01 - Kansas
Dereck Totten, MD - Chief Medical Officer - KDHE Chief Medical Officer
Lainey Faulkner - Bureau Director - KDHE Bureau Director, Health Promotion and Public Health
Robert Moser, MD - Executive Director - UKHS Care Collaborative Association
Martie Ross, JD - Project Management Executive - UKHS Care Collaborative Association
Crystal Rodriguez - CHW Unit Manager - CHW Unit Manager
Birgit Lemke - CHW Program Manager - CHW Program Manager
Core Initiatives
Improve rural health access and outcomes
Expand primary and secondary prevention programs
Integrate behavioral health services in primary care
Show all initiatives (15)
Improve rural health access and outcomes
Expand primary and secondary prevention programs
Integrate behavioral health services in primary care
Enhance network development and rural partnerships
Strengthen tribal health initiatives
Transform rural healthcare delivery within regions in a sustainable manner.
Improve access to primary care and preventive services in rural Kansas by strengthening integration between local health departments and primary care providers.
Build a sustainable rural healthcare workforce.
Enable value-based care.
Improve rural EMS treatment and transport options
Expand Medicaid Provider Incentive Payment Program
Implement Remote Patient Monitoring Program
Operate Telehealth Navigator Program
Develop Data Infrastructure including APCD and Data Dock
Support Emerging Technology adoption in rural clinics
This Kansas RHTP annual report workbook outlines structured expectations for state reporting, checkpoint tracking, and progress validation under the Federal RHTP award. It details required stages and evidentiary guidelines for initiative progress—such as governance, project plans, metric methodologies, and milestone completion. No explicit sub-award recipients or amounts are listed, as this is a guide and template for program reporting.
Event schedule:
- Contract awards expected - 2026-09-01 - Kansas
- Start of certified medical assistants training - 2026-08-01 - Kansas Technical College
- RPGP and REH/CAP awardees report date - 2026-07-01 - Kansas