The Kentucky Rural Health Transformation Program is actively implementing initiatives in community health worker training, EMS transformation, behavioral health crisis response, rural dental access, chronic care, maternal health, and regional health hub development. Multiple funding opportunities and structured applications are open for health departments, EMS agencies, behavioral health organizations, and educational institutions, with major focus on technology-enabled care and multisector collaboration. The current plan emphasizes coordinated statewide efforts and tracks progress across initiatives through 2026. Current structured plan tracks 9 key initiatives and 5 strategic goals.
County-level estimates averaged across Kentucky — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
7%
-4.4pp
Uninsured (18–64)
13.7%
+1.3pp
Diabetes
40.2%
+2.7pp
Obesity
21.2%
+5.1pp
Current smoking
39.1%
+3pp
High blood pressure
29.2%
+1.5pp
Physical inactivity
8.4%
+1.5pp
Heart disease
4.2%
+0.5pp
Stroke
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (120)
County
Pop
Poverty
Uninsured
Jefferson County
783,022
14.3%
10.5%
Fayette County
323,725
14.9%
9.1%
Kenton County
171,288
11.8%
7.7%
Warren County
140,918
17.0%
11.2%
Boone County
139,841
6.3%
4.0%
Hardin County
111,942
13.1%
10.4%
Daviess County
103,648
14.7%
11.5%
Madison County
95,769
15.1%
12.2%
Campbell County
93,426
11.1%
7.0%
Bullitt County
84,027
9.7%
7.4%
Christian County
72,069
17.1%
12.2%
Oldham County
69,257
4.3%
3.2%
Demographics
Total population
4.5MCensus ACS5 2024
Rural population
1.7MUSDA ERS RUCC 2023
Rural population %
38.2%USDA ERS RUCC 2023
Poverty rate
16.1%Census ACS5 2024
Median household income
$63,726Census ACS5 2024
Uninsured rate
11.9%Census ACS5 2024
CAH count
29HRSA GIS (live)
Rural hospital facilities
54AI extracted
Primary care HPSA
111HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
Dental HPSA
114HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
Mental health HPSA
77HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
MUA count
108HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
MUP count
4HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
FQHC facilities
505HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
RHC facilities
429HRSA Data Warehouse (GIS)
AI source: KY - 2026 - KY EMS Transformation – Narrative
AI auto-updated Jun 6, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
RHTP Strategic Goals
1Expand access and improve health outcomes for rural residents by establishing sustainable district-level Rural Community Hubs and operational infrastructure.
2Strengthen and diversify rural health and dental workforce pipelines—including specialized Community Health Worker, EMS, and dental workforce roles—through targeted training, recruitment, and program expansion.
3Advance technology-enabled, community-driven care models by scaling district-level pilots, enhancing Rural Community Hub communications, and building multisector partnerships.
4Achieve measurable improvements in chronic disease, maternal and infant health, behavioral health crisis response, and oral health through evidence-based, locally adapted approaches.
5Build resilient, integrated rural health systems for long-term population health by breaking down silos between health, social services, education, housing, and public health sectors.
Worth to Notice / Recent Updates (7)
Key signals are summarized here. Open the source for the supporting detail.
Kentucky has received CMS funding and officially launched the Rural Health Transformation Program. Multiple RFAs and application processes are open or underway across EMS, dental, behavioral health, and community hub initiatives, constituting state-level procurement. On-the-ground implementation has begun, with key staff hiring, local program pilots, and district infrastructure building in progress—especially within the Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis with deadlines into 2026, and the program is actively engaging rural stakeholders for local participation. State opportunities: 15 total (15 past/closed), $3.3M listed funding. Key opportunities: Kentucky RHT Funding Opportunity to Develop Community Health Worker Specialized Certificates; Crisis to Care: Establish or Expand Community Paramedicine Program; From Crisis to Care: Education & Training Modernization. Strategy alignment: supports workforce, maternal health, telehealth priorities.
RHTP Strategy
Kentucky’s RHTP deploys a phased, evidence-driven approach by implementing five interrelated district-led initiatives addressing chronic disease, maternal and infant health, behavioral health crisis stabilization, rural dental access, and EMS modernization. The strategy leverages multisector infrastructure development, digital health and telehealth expansion, targeted workforce initiatives, and community-tailored pilot programs, with CMS performance-based funding disbursed over five years. Interventions are coordinated through Rural Community Hubs, enabling local adaptation while integrating best practice sharing and data-driven improvement. Technology-enabled care, integrated workforce pipelines, and cross-sector collaboration remain central to driving population health improvements across rural Kentucky.
Model
Integrated hub-and-spoke network underpinned by digital infrastructure, phased pilot-to-scale deployment, and robust multisector coordination; incorporates telehealth expansion, EMS modernization, specialized workforce development, and collaborative approaches involving public health, social services, and education sectors.
Key Initiatives
1Establish and expand Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation in Area Development Districts, including foundational infrastructure development, stakeholder mapping, district-level pilots, multisector partner engagement, shared strategy, outcome alignment, best practice dissemination, and data-informed improvements.
2Enhance hub-level communications by developing tailored messaging for chronic condition prevention and management (especially diabetes and obesity), refining communication templates, coaching partners, and localizing health and policy content for communities.
3Deploy telehealth-enabled maternal care teams and wraparound supports through PoWERing Maternal and Infant Health, prioritizing maternity-care deserts and high-risk rural regions.
4Implement Rapid Response to Recovery via the EmPATH model—establishing psychiatric crisis units, mobile crisis teams, technology-enabled telebehavioral health access, crisis follow-up, and real-time referral tracking.
5Expand Rooted in Health: Rural Dental Access through dental hygiene training program creation/expansion, externships, tele- and mobile dentistry, Public Health Dental Hygiene (PHDH) teams in Local Health Districts, school- and long-term-care-based service delivery, and advanced surgical extraction training for general dentists.
6Strengthen EMS capabilities under Crisis to Care: Integrated Emergency Medical Services Response and Coordination, supporting community paramedicine program expansion, treat-in-place and transport-to-alternative-destination protocols, EMS workforce development, data connectivity, and trauma response improvements.
7Develop and implement specialized Community Health Worker (CHW) certificates in Healthy Lifestyle Management, Perinatal/Infant Health, Mental/Behavioral Health, and Dental/Oral Health, with statewide delivery, curriculum co-design by CHWs, and performance-linked milestone payments.
8Modernize EMS training equipment and deploy mobile EMS training units to expand capacity for hands-on skills training in rural areas.
9Expand definitive mobile dental services to increase preventive and restorative oral health care access in rural communities.
Timeline: Primary implementation FY2026–FY2030, with phased grant launches beginning July 1, 2026; milestones include district Rural Community Hub establishment by 2027, annual workforce/service expansion, initial CHW certificate awards October 2026–June 2027, performance-tied funding from CMS, and five grant periods aligned to federal fiscal years.
Health Priority
Chronic condition management
Initial focus is on diabetes and obesity prevention and management across rural communities.
Big Sandy ADDLake Cumberland ADDPurchase ADD
Aug 12, 2026
Health Priority
Chronic condition prevention and management
Initial focus is on diabetes and obesity with targeted community engagement and multisector collaboration.
Big Sandy ADDLake Cumberland ADDPurchase ADD
Aug 12, 2026
Program Update
This document announces a communications lead position supporting the Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation (RCH) initiative under Kentucky's RHTP effort. The role will help coordinate and refine communications across multiple rural hubs, aiming to improve clarity, accuracy, and local relevance of health messaging. Diabetes and obesity are name...
Kentucky is issuing an RFA for $800,000 in total available funding to develop Community Health Worker specialized certificates aligned with four key rural health priorities: healthy lifestyle management, perinatal/infant health, mental/behavioral health, and oral/dental health. The funding seeks to support non-profit training organizations in designing, developing, and delivering asynchronous certificate programs statewide that expand the skills and impact of Kentucky's rural CHW workforce. Selected training organizations must offer training at no cost to CHWs and ensure meaningful involvement of CHWs in curriculum design.
Event schedule:
- RFA Release - July 15, 2026
- CHW Specialized Certificate Information Session - July 16, 2026
- RFA Office Hours - July 21, 2026
- RFA Submission Deadline - August 5, 2026 - 5:00 PM ET
- RFA Notification of Awards - August 26, 2026
- Funding Period - October 7, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Budget: $800KWORKFORCE · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · POPULATION_HEALTH · OTHER
Event Schedule
RFA Release - July 15, 2026
CHW Specialized Certificate Information Session - July 16, 2026
RFA Office Hours - July 21, 2026
Show all schedule items (6)
RFA Release - July 15, 2026
CHW Specialized Certificate Information Session - July 16, 2026
RFA Office Hours - July 21, 2026
RFA Submission Deadline - August 5, 2026 - 5:00 PM ET
RFA Notification of Awards - August 26, 2026
Funding Period - October 7, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Core Initiatives
Expand and strengthen Kentucky's rural community health workforce.
Enable evidence-based, innovative system transformation in rural health.
Address priority health needs in rural Kentucky including maternal health, diabetes, behavioral health, and oral health.
This Kentucky RHTP guidance offers $212.9 million in Year 1 funding to modernize EMS education and training for rural and underserved communities, with a structured, multi-year pathway for program enhancement and mobile simulation units. It supports both centralized and mobile training, expands the EMS workforce, and strengthens the integration between EMS providers and behavioral health crisis response networks. Technical support, data requirements, and compliance guidance are built into the process to ensure agency readiness and impact. Key contacts: Jimmie Hampton jimmie.hampton@ky.gov; Bob Andrew bob.andrew@ky.gov
Event schedule:
- Application Submission Deadline - 06/12/2026 - 5:00 PM ET - Submit by email (Jimmie Hampton <jimmie.hampton@ky.gov>)
Kentucky's rural health strategy centers on Rural Community Hubs to coordinate resources and organizations to address chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity. The initiative seeks to bring together local partners to improve health outcomes, reduce duplication of services, and better connect community health workers. Kentucky faces particularly severe challenges with diabetes, with mortality rates significantly above the national average.
POPULATION_HEALTH · NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT
Core Initiatives
Coordinate rural organizations and health care providers to prevent and manage chronic disease
Reduce duplication of services and improve connection among community health workers
📄
StrategyJul 9, 2026PDF
Rooted in Health is focused on expanding access to dental care in rural Kentucky by training and placing more dental hygienists, bringing teledental and mobile services, and enhancing surgical training for general dentists. The initiative aims to reduce emergency room visits for dental issues and provide comprehensive care locally.
The Crisis to Care program aims to strengthen the EMS workforce and improve coordination between responders and hospitals in rural Kentucky. Innovative uses of technology connect care teams in real time, and community paramedicine is integrated to ensure continuity of care after emergencies. Nearly half Kentucky’s paramedics are concentrated in five metro counties, highlighting the need for service expansion in rural areas.
Summary Documents (1)
📄
SummaryJul 9, 2026PDF2024
The program establishes EmPATH units and a centralized tele-behavioral health hub to ensure prompt, appropriate care for those in behavioral health crisis. It decreases repeated crises, supports first responders, and connects individuals to community-based recovery resources. Kentucky faces high rates of mental illness or substance use disorder diagnoses in emergency departments.
POPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER
Core Initiatives
Enhance crisis care for behavioral health emergencies
Reduce hospitalizations and ED strain
Improve care continuity and access for rural populations
This document is a federal award announcement for the Kentucky Rural Health Transformation Plan, funded under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. The award, totaling $212,905,590.56, is managed as a cooperative agreement with CMS, with required milestones, reporting, and revised budget submission for the first budget period. The period of performance spans December 29, 2025, to October 30, 2030, and includes fiscal and progress report requirements tied to CMS oversight.
Award: $212.9M
Event Schedule
Award Start Date - 2025-12-29
Revised Budget Deadline - 2026-01-30
Annual Progress Report #1 Due - 2026-08-30
Show all schedule items (4)
Award Start Date - 2025-12-29
Revised Budget Deadline - 2026-01-30
Annual Progress Report #1 Due - 2026-08-30
Period of Performance End Date - 2030-10-30
Reference Documents (12)
📄
ReferenceJul 27, 2026PDF2024
This document announces a communications lead position supporting the Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation (RCH) initiative under Kentucky's RHTP effort. The role will help coordinate and refine communications across multiple rural hubs, aiming to improve clarity, accuracy, and local relevance of health messaging. Diabetes and obesity are named as key health challenges in rural Kentucky, and the position supports greater community engagement with evidence-based prevention and resources. Key contacts: Gwen Weiss gweiss@healthy-ky.org
Spreadsheets, data exports, and reference documents — available for download but excluded from the main activity feed.
KY - 2026 - RHT - Community Health Worker - Attachment A - Budget Template
XLSX
KY - 2026 - RHT Community Paramedicine - Attachment B - Budget Template
XLSX
KY - 1982 - agency.aspx
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Kentucky is launching a Rural Health Transformation Plan funded via CMS, focusing on rural health workforce and population health outcomes. This RFA solicits Kentucky-based training organizations to develop new specialized Community Health Worker certificates in Healthy Lifestyle Management, Perinatal and Infant Health, Mental and Behavioral Health, and Dental/Oral Health. The maximum award is $200,000 per certificate, with milestone-based payments and robust outcome reporting requirements. Key contacts: Ashley N. Gibson ashleyn.gibson@ky.gov
Event schedule:
- RFA Released - 07/15/2026
- RFA Information Session - 07/16/2026 - ET
- RFA Office Hours - 07/21/2026 - ET
- FAQ Answers Released - 07/24/2026
- Deadline for Receipt of Applications - 08/05/2026 - 5:00 PM ET - via email
- Anticipated Notification of Award - 08/26/2026
- Anticipated Funding Period Begins - 10/07/2026
- Deadline for Certificates Approval - 06/30/2027
Deadline for Receipt of Applications - 08/05/2026 - 5:00 PM ET - via email
Anticipated Notification of Award - 08/26/2026
Anticipated Funding Period Begins - 10/07/2026
Deadline for Certificates Approval - 06/30/2027
Contacts
Ashley N. Gibson - <ashleyn.gibson@ky.gov> - RHT Program Contact - Kentucky statewide
Core Initiatives
Expand the rural workforce through targeted training for Community Health Workers (CHWs)
Advance rural health outcomes through specialty certificates addressing key health needs
Support sustainable, long-term improvements in Kentucky’s rural health infrastructure
This RFA solicits Medicaid-enrolled, Eastern Kentucky-serving nonprofit behavioral health organizations to apply for funding to build and integrate telebehavioral health capacity as part of Kentucky's Rural Health Transformation Program. The initiative focuses on expanding access to psychiatric consultation, crisis response, and behavioral health services using a regional hub-and-spoke model, with pilot implementation targeting Eastern Kentucky and growth planned statewide. Applicants may request budgets up to $500,000 for activities tied to participatory telebehavioral health, technology adoption, workforce development, and coordination with statewide partners. Key contacts: Breanna McGinnis Breanna.mcginnis@ky.gov
Event schedule:
- RFA Released - 06/01/2026
- Deadline for Receipt of Applications - 07/03/2026
- Notification of Award to Grantees - 07/10/2026
- Funding Period Begins - 10/01/2026
Breanna McGinnis - <Breanna.mcginnis@ky.gov> - Program Contact - KY
Core Initiatives
Expand rural behavioral health crisis response capacity through telebehavioral health hub-and-spoke infrastructure.
Divert behavioral health crises from emergency departments and hospital admissions.
Increase engagement with follow-up care after crisis events to reduce readmissions and recurrence.
Show all initiatives (12)
Expand rural behavioral health crisis response capacity through telebehavioral health hub-and-spoke infrastructure.
Divert behavioral health crises from emergency departments and hospital admissions.
Increase engagement with follow-up care after crisis events to reduce readmissions and recurrence.
Advance integrated crisis response via cross-sector partnerships and data-driven quality improvement.
Address service gaps and workforce shortages in rural behavioral health through sustainable program models.
Expand capacity to function as a regional provider spoke for telebehavioral services
Strengthen provider-to-provider behavioral health consultation support for primary care providers
Implement consistent triage, intake, and referral management practices
Improve close-loop handoffs between applicant and partner settings
Align telebehavioral workflows with hub routing and disposition planning
Increase access to behavioral health services
Increase quality of care and behavioral health clinical outcomes
Kentucky’s RHTP received $212.9 million for year 1 to transform rural health, with a major focus on developing EMS through community paramedicine. The program funds both new and expanding paramedicine models, emphasizes crisis response, technical assistance, required behavioral health training, and robust evaluation. EMS agencies may apply for up to $650,000 in start-up funding; additional support targets integration of workforce, technology, and community partnerships to close gaps in rural care. Key contacts: Jimmie Hampton jimmie.hampton@ky.gov; Behavioral Health Champion
Event schedule:
- Application Deadline - 06/12/2026 - 5:00 PM ET - Submit to jimmie.hampton@ky.gov
- Information Session Webinar - TBD (document refers to an upcoming webinar)
- Months 1-2: Program Planning & CHW Model Design - Month 1-2
- Months 3-6: Training & Certification Launch - Month 3-6
- Months 7-8: Infrastructural Setup and Supply Readiness - Month 7-8
- Month 9: Soft Launch of CHW Program - Month 9
- Month 10: Program Stabilization - Month 10
Jimmie Hampton - <jimmie.hampton@ky.gov> - Workforce Development Specialist for Crisis to Care (CTC) - Commonwealth of Kentucky
Behavioral Health Champion - Primary point of contact for behavioral health training coordination - all awardees
Core Initiatives
Improve health access, quality, and outcomes for rural Kentuckians
Strengthen pre-hospital and crisis response program capacity
Expand preventative and community-based services
Show all initiatives (4)
Improve health access, quality, and outcomes for rural Kentuckians
Strengthen pre-hospital and crisis response program capacity
Expand preventative and community-based services
Build long-term sustainability for EMS and rural health infrastructure
Kentucky received $212.9 million in FY2026 for the state’s rural health transformation, with a strong emphasis on modernizing and expanding EMS training and mobile skills programs. Funding is available to EMS agencies for hands-on and mobile training equipment, workforce expansion, and the development of community-based EMS education. Technical assistance, application support, and program reporting are provided to ensure sustainable impact. Key contacts: Jimmie Hampton jimmie.hampton@ky.gov; Bob Andrew bob.andrew@ky.gov
Event schedule:
- Submission Deadline - 06/12/2026 - 5:00 PM ET
Award: $212.9MEMS_DEVELOPMENT · WORKFORCE · OTHER
Contacts
Jimmie Hampton - <jimmie.hampton@ky.gov> - Workforce Development Specialist for Crisis to Care - Statewide (Crisis to Care program)
Bob Andrew - <bob.andrew@ky.gov> - TEI/EMS Certification Support - Statewide (TEI Certification)
Core Initiatives
Improve health access, quality, and outcomes for rural Kentuckians
Modernize EMS education and training infrastructure
Strengthen rural healthcare workforce capacity
Core Initiatives
Increase access to dental care for rural Kentuckians
Expand dental workforce and workforce training
Reduce emergency department visits for dental needs
Show all initiatives (4)
Increase access to dental care for rural Kentuckians
Expand dental workforce and workforce training
Reduce emergency department visits for dental needs
Improve quality and coordination of oral health services
Strengthen emergency medical services response for rural Kentucky
Expand workforce of skilled EMS and paramedic professionals in rural areas
Improve technology-enabled real-time coordination between responders and hospitals
Show all initiatives (4)
Strengthen emergency medical services response for rural Kentucky
Expand workforce of skilled EMS and paramedic professionals in rural areas
Improve technology-enabled real-time coordination between responders and hospitals
Extend care beyond immediate emergencies via integrated community health teams
This document announces the opening for a District Coordination Lead to support the Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation in the Big Sandy Area Development District. The role is focused on developing local infrastructure, fostering multisector partnerships, and coordinating chronic care and population health strategies aligned with rural transformation goals. The position reflects efforts to transform rural health by building collective impact across key sectors and sharing best practices statewide. Key contacts: Gwendolyn Weiss gweiss@healthy-ky.org
NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT · POPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER
Contacts
Gwendolyn Weiss - <gweiss@healthy-ky.org> - Director of Collective Impact Initiatives - Big Sandy Area Development District / Kentucky
Core Initiatives
Break down silos between health, social services, education, housing, and public health sectors.
Expand outreach, engagement, and resources for rural Kentuckians.
Support measurable improvements in chronic care and rural health outcomes.
Show all initiatives (4)
Break down silos between health, social services, education, housing, and public health sectors.
Expand outreach, engagement, and resources for rural Kentuckians.
Support measurable improvements in chronic care and rural health outcomes.
Build sustainable district-level health coalitions and infrastructure.
This document announces a District Coordination Lead position for the RHT-RCH initiative in Kentucky, aimed at supporting district-level health transformation efforts in Lake Cumberland. The role will help build infrastructure, launch local programs, connect partners, and advance collective impact on rural health. The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky leads this effort and prioritizes improving health access and outcomes for underserved rural populations. Key contacts: Gwen Weiss gweiss@healthy-ky.org
Event schedule:
- Application Open Until Filled - Remote with travel to Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky office, Louisville and Lake Cumberland ADD
NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT · POPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER
Event Schedule
Application Open Until Filled - Remote with travel to Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky office, Louisville and Lake Cumberland ADD
Contacts
Gwen Weiss - <gweiss@healthy-ky.org> - Director of Collective Impact Initiatives - Lake Cumberland Area Development District
Core Initiatives
Improve health and quality of life for rural Kentuckians
Promote collective impact through multi-sector partnerships
Facilitate the implementation of district-level health initiatives
Show all initiatives (4)
Improve health and quality of life for rural Kentuckians
Promote collective impact through multi-sector partnerships
Facilitate the implementation of district-level health initiatives
Advance statewide health equity and access
HTML
Kentucky Community Health Worker Certification Manual, 2026 38 RHTP Guidance
2026 · PDF
Attachment A Approved Risk Adjustment Model.docx
2025-2026 · DOCX
14A.1-070 Definitions for chapter (KY business entity definitions statute, effective July 15, 2020)
2020 · PDF
202 KAR 7:601. Training, education, and continuing education (Amendment)