Rural Health Transformation Program: RHTP 1.1 School Kitchen Modernization Grants is sponsored by Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Provides grants to rural or frontier schools in Nebraska to modernize kitchen facilities for healthier meal preparation.

Rural Health Transformation Turn on more accessible mode Turn off more accessible mode Rural Health Transformation What would you like to do? The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a $50 billion federal opportunity to improve health care in rural areas across the 50 states. RHTP is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize rural health care and make it more sustainable.

Nebraska received a preliminary notice of award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for approximately $218. 5 million in the first year. ​ ​ Sections on this page Health Care Advisory Regions Nebraska Rural Health Workforce Incentive Program Assisted Living Facility - Special Needs Incentive Payment Program Assisted Living Facility Modernization Grant Nebraska received $218.

5 million for the first year of a five-year grant. DHHS received a revised notice of award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) dated February 27, 2026, for Nebraska's updated plan and budget. This approval allows DHHS to access the federal funds to launch Nebraska's seven initiatives.

​ A project of this size and scope requires participation from many stakeholders across multiple fields. Nebraska intends to release multiple Requests for Applications (RFAs) over the next five years to provide organizations with multiple opportunities to apply for funds and assist in implementing this important work. There will be additional opportunities for applications in each funding year.

Application next steps and timeline DHHS aims to open RFAs throughout the year, starting in March. Funding awards are expected to begin in Spring 2026. There will be additional opportunities for applications in each funding year.

Timeline and RFA Awardees: Updated 6/10/2026 Nebraska Rural Health Transformation Initiatives Eligible to Respond to RFA Notes ​RFA Release Date / Awardees ​​Initiative 1: Make Rural Nebraska Healthy Through Food as Medicine ​ ​ ​ 1. 1 School Kitchen Modernization Grant Any public or private elementary, middle, or high school in rural or frontier counties.

Interagency agreement with the Department of Education, and they will release the RFA Project to supply equipment for schools to serve whole fresh food 1. 2 Regional Food Pantry Development Non-profit organizations and co-ops Increase the availability of whole fresh foods. 3/10/2026 1.

3 Farm-to-School Procurement & TA Local rural farmers, ranchers, and food suppliers. Interagency agreement with the Department of Education, and they will release the RFA Project to enhance kitchen-ready local supply chain for rural schools May-26 1. 5 Nebraska Kids Fitness & Nutrition Local Health Department and Tribal Partners - targeted, narrow RFA release to continue work started by the LHD in 2025.

Local activities focusing on health literacy and healthy behaviors. 3/16/2026 ​​Initiative 2: Regionalized Rural Access and Navigation​ ​ ​ ​ 2. 2b Rural Jurisdictional Stockpiles Local Health Departments willing and able to manage inventory Ensure rapid access to essential medical supplies during emergencies and reduce reliance on federal deployments.

1/21/2026 2. 3a Community Health Worker Networks Local and Tribal Health Departments Represents phase 1. 1/8/2026 2.

5 CAH to REH Conversion Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH) Projects to assist Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH) with infrastructure, technology, and equipment improvements that would aid in service line expansion and improvement that will result in financial stabilization. Early May ​​Initiative 3: Rural Workforce Acceleration​ ​ ​ ​ 3.

1 Rural Provider Recruitment and Retention Incentives Individual health care providers Incentive payments to eligible licensed healthcare providers for 5-year service commitment in a rural facility (eligibility includes license type, serving Medicaid patients). 4/15/2026 3.

2 Rural VR and Skills Acceleration Network Licensed training agencies within the State of Nebraska who have a primary focus on training Nebraska EMS providers and/or healthcare providers. Nebraska based associations or community development organizations with a focus on EMS and EMS Education are also eligible. EMS training agencies who only provide training for internal candidates and students are not eligible for this funding.

Funding for agencies to provide training and education for EMS and/or health care providers when responding to high-acuity, low-occurrence situations using VR and high-fidelity training equipment. Jun-26 3.

3 Rural Health Care Workforce Incentive & Sustainability Local and state governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, or other eligible organizations in rural Nebraska who can meet the requirements of a SNAP E&T training program. Start-up grants for new SNAP E&T training sites. 3/9/2026 ​​Initiative 4: eHealth and Mobile Care​ ​ ​ 4.

2a Oral Health (NE Teeth Forever) Local and Tribal Health Departments Provide for and expand access to preventive oral health services in rural, frontier, and tribal communities through community-based delivery models. 1/8/2026 4.

2b Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention Outpatient healthcare facilities, hospitals, and long-term care facilities Assistance for healthcare partners to reduce preventable infections, limit antibiotic resistance, and improve healthcare outcomes in rural Nebraska. 4/10/2026 4.

4a Chronic Disease Management Rural Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), Local Health Departments (LHDs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs), Rural Hospitals (non-CAH), Tribal Health Facilities Projects to expand community-based education, care navigation, and self-management support for individuals living with chronic conditions, often through community health workers.

2/24/2026 4. 4a Chronic Disease Management Community Colleges and Tribal Colleges/Universities Projects to offer training modules to Community Health Workers (CHW). Projects should increase the availability of independent, subject matter specific modules that enhance CHWs' expertise in health outcome-related fields, i.e., chronic disease prevention and control, rather than provide foundational training.

3/30/2026 4. 4b Remote Patient Monitoring Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Emergency Hospitals, Regional Rural Hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers Projects to expand innovative care delivery models that improve chronic disease management, strengthen rural health infrastructure, and reduce avoidable hospital utilization by implementing Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) programs in Nebraska.

3/23/26 Extended Application Due date 4/24/26 4. 4b Remote Patient Monitoring Local governments, Tribal organizations, institutes of higher education, nonprofit entities, rural provider organizations, community-based entities, and other approved partners.

Provide funding for tech-enabled safety, cueing, reminder, and environmental support for older adults and individuals with disabilities to allow for safe living in home and community settings. This is a Contract Opportunity. ​​Initiative 5: Rural Emergency Behav​ioral Health ​ ​ ​ 5.

3 Modification of Existing Clinical Facilities for Crisis Stabilization Centers. Non-profit organizations rendering BH crisis services. Provide funding for equipment and enhancements to hospitals and behavioral health providers to expand crisis response, stabilization, and substance use withdrawal services in rural areas.

4/20/2026 ​​Initiative 6: AL​F Special Needs Population Incentive Model​ 6. 2 Facility Modernization Grants Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) Agreement with the NE Health Care Association, and they will release the RFA to all ALF Project to modify or equip facilities to safely accommodate residents with memory care needs.

​ Introduction to Grants for DHHS Subrecipients DHHS News Release: ​ April 9, 2026, DHHS to Open RHTP Application to Help Build Rural Nebraska Workforce​ ​ DHHS News Release: March 31 2026, DHHS is Seeking Applications for RHTP Health Care Advisory Regions​ Governor's News Release: December 29, 2025, Gov. Pillen Touts Huge Rural Health Transformation Program Award Applications and Proposed Initiatives As part of its application, Nebraska proposed seven statewide initiatives that reflect ideas and feedback from hundreds of stakeholders and community partners.

These initiatives outline how Nebraska could use RHTP funds to strengthen the state's rural health infrastructure, address workforce gaps, and ensure access to care through consumer-facing technology. ​ View an accessible PDF. Nebraska Rural Health Transformation Initiatives Initiative 1: Make Rural Nebraska Healthy Again Through Food as Medicine 1.

1 School Kitchen Modernization Grant supplies equipment for schools to serve whole fresh food 1. 2 Regional Food Pantry Development to increase availability of whole fresh foods 1. 3 Farm-to-School Procurement & TA enhances kitchen-ready local supply chain for rural schools 1.

4 Healthy Menu Design training for rural schools, hospital cafeteria staff, and clinic dieticians 1. 5 Nebraska Kids Fitness & Nutrition Day focuses on health literacy and healthy behaviors Initiative 2: Regionalized Rural Access and Navigation 2. 1 EMS & Perinatal Regionalization for referrals and provider-pairing program for high-risk cases 2.

2 Community Paramedicine program with billing support and workforce development 2. 3 Rural Health Hubs and Community Health Worker Networks across health care settings 2. 4 Veteran EHR Coordination to connect VA scheduling staff to local clinics and hospitals 2.

5 CAH to REH Conversion to ensure health care stays local Initiative 3: Rural Workforce Acceleration 3. 1 Rural Provider Recruitment & Retention such as hiring incentives and apprenticeships 3. 2 Rural VR & Skills Acceleration Network to test competency during training 3.

3 Rural Health Care Workforce Incentive & Sustainability start up grants for new training sites 3. 4 School-Age Health Care Pipeline educating youth about jobs in health care 3. 5 Subsidized Short-Term Provider Housing to support employers in recruiting workforce Initiative 4: eHealth and Mobile Care 4.

1 Mobile Maternal Care & Training in maternity deserts to decrease morbidity and mortality 4. 2 Oral Health programs including new student rotations and mobile services 4. 3 Technology-Enhanced Pharmacy Services for medication reviews and patient adherence data 4.

4 Chronic Disease Management & Remote Patient Monitoring in facilities and at home Initiative 5: Rural Emergency Behavioral Health 5. 1 Integrated Primary Care providing behavioral health services in clinics 5. 2 Telehealth Crisis Responders for Law Enforcement is 24/7 access to counselors for triage 5.

3 Modification of Existing Clinical Facilities for Crisis Stabilization Centers 5. 4 Behavioral Health Nursing Homes Pilot provides enhanced payments for complex care needs Initiative 6: Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Special Needs Population Incentive Model 6. 1 Incentive Payments for Memory Care and Complex Care including training and programming 6.

2 Facility Modernization Grant to support needs of staff and residents Initiative 7: Nebraska Rural Health Technology Catalyst Fund and Partnership Initiative​ H. R. 1 , signed into law on July 4, 2025, enacted the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which allows for the allocation of funding to support the provision of health care in rural areas.

​ ​​​​​ RHTP fundi​ng consists of $50 billion ($10 billion per fiscal year) to be distributed to states ​​from fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2030. $25 billion will be distributed equally amongst all approved states.

The remaining $25 billion will be ​ allocated by the CMS based on a variety of factors, including: The state's rural population The proportion of rural health facilities in the state T​he situation of certain hospitals in the state Other factors specified in the CMS Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)​​ July 4, 2025 : H. R. 1 was signed into law, establishing the RHTP.

September 15, 2025 : CMS posted the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the RHTP. November 5, 2025 : States that choose to apply for RHTP funding must do so by this date. December 31, 2025 : CMS must approve or deny applications by this date.

January 30, 2026 : Revised plan documents submitted to CMS for approval. ​ Why RHTP Funding Matters for Nebraska ​​​With 37% of Nebraskans liv​​ing in rural areas, RHTP funding ​​has the potential to make a significant impact in our state. 88 out of Nebraska's 93 counties are rural, with 30 of these ​classified as frontier counties.

Email: DHHS. RHTP@nebraska. gov The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $218,529,075.

01 with 100 percent funded by CMS/US HHS. The contents are those of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/US HHS, or the U.S. Government. ​