Michael Silber, Author at Rural Health

About Michael Silber

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Michael Silber has created 97 blog entries.

Arkansas

The THRIVE (Telehealth, Health‑Monitoring and Response Innovation for Vital Expansion) application portal is now officially open. The THRIVE initiative is a core component of the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program and is designed to strengthen rural healthcare delivery by expanding telehealth access, enhancing emergency response systems and implementing innovative technology-enabled solutions. All applications must be submitted through the online portal by 12:00 pm (CT) on June 12.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Michael Silber2026-05-15T12:10:12-04:00May 15, 2026|Arkansas|

California

California’s Rural Health Transformation Program (CalRHT) recently hosted its Spring Webinar to provide stakeholders with implementation updates and preparation guidance ahead of the upcoming Request for Application (RFA) release expected in July. Due to the large volume of questions received during the webinar, CalRHT distributed a supplemental webinar Q&A document with consolidated responses organized by topic. The program encouraged stakeholders to continue monitoring the CalRHT webpage for additional updates, resources and future webinar opportunities as the state moves closer to the RFA phase.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Michael Silber2026-05-15T12:09:47-04:00May 15, 2026|California|

Minnesota

The Department of Health (MDH) released a new Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to support the development of a Statewide Tele-buprenorphine Access Line. The initiative is intended to expand access to treatment and care coordination services related to opioid use disorder through telehealth and virtual care models across the state, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Eligible applicants include hospitals and health systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), tribal and urban Indian health organizations, behavioral health providers, telehealth organizations, nonprofit community health providers and collaborative partnerships. Applications are due June 29. Additional details and all open grant opportunities are available through the MDH Grants and Loans: Open Grant Opportunities webpage.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Michael Silber2026-05-15T12:09:19-04:00May 15, 2026|Minnesota|

Ohio

The Department of Health released a Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) focused on Community Health Worker (CHW) Training and Technical Assistance. The initiative is intended to strengthen and sustain the state’s rural CHW workforce by supporting training, skill-building and professional development opportunities that enhance CHWs’ ability to connect rural residents with critical health resources and services. The RFP (Solicitation ID: SRC0000038332) is currently open for bidding through June 15 at 3:00 pm ET. Interested organizations must submit both a technical proposal and a cost proposal through the OhioBuys Supplier Portal. Questions regarding the solicitation are due by June 8. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to register with OhioBuys as soon as possible to ensure access to the procurement system before the submission deadline.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Michael Silber2026-05-15T12:08:49-04:00May 15, 2026|Ohio|

Oregon

The state’s Catalyst Awards Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP) is now officially open with applications due May 26 at 3:00 pm PT. The competitive grant opportunity supports local organizations implementing transformative rural health projects across four initiatives: Healthy Communities & Prevention, Workforce Capacity & Resilience, Technology & Data Modernization and Regional Partnerships. Interested applicants can access the full solicitation on OregonBuys under solicitation number S-44300-00016498, with John Gardner serving as the Single Point of Contact. Oregon launched a vendor interest database where vendors interested in partnering with local entities can register through a vendor interest form, creating a publicly accessible directory for collaboration on Catalyst Award projects.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Michael Silber2026-05-15T12:08:24-04:00May 15, 2026|Oregon|

South Carolina

The Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) announced the release of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding opportunities. As previously outlined in Medicaid Bulletin # 26-009 issued on April 2, SCDHHS released four grant opportunities available through the state’s RHTP initiative. The newly released FAQs are intended to address common questions regarding the funding opportunities and application process. The FAQs, along with the funding opportunity applications, are available on the SCDHHS Rural Health Transformation Program webpage at SCDHHS Rural Health Transformation Program. Please review the materials for additional details on eligibility, application requirements and funding opportunities.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Michael Silber2026-05-15T12:07:35-04:00May 15, 2026|South Carolina|

Alaska

The department is reviewing nearly 1,800 Letters of Interest (LOI) received during the March 11 submission deadline and expects to notify applicants of their status by mid-May 2026. Project Implementation applicants selected to advance will have approximately three weeks to submit full applications through the Alaska Community Foundation portal beginning in mid-May, while Planning and Readiness applicants will be asked for additional project details to execute grant agreements.

Session 2 registration is open for the interactive RHTP Impacts Webinar Series covering the six program initiatives, and the state anticipates opening Year 2 LOI submissions in late summer 2026. To register for each of the six program initiatives webinars, please click "View +" to access the registration link for "Session 2".

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Michael Silber2026-05-08T12:18:31-04:00May 8, 2026|Alaska|

Arkansas

Arkansas has released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – Telehealth, Health-Monitoring, and Response Innovation for Vital Expansion (THRIVE) initiative. The program is designed to strengthen rural healthcare by expanding telehealth services and technology solutions that improve access to care, coordination and patient outcomes in underserved communities.

Funding may support projects that:

Expand telehealth infrastructure and services

Improve healthcare access and efficiency through technology

Strengthen digital health capabilities in rural areas

Support innovative care delivery models

Equip EMS providers with telehealth-enabled tools to improve patient assessment and care coordination

Key Details

Application Period: May 11 – June 12

Eligible Applicants: Rural hospitals, clinics, EMS providers, behavioral health providers, Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs) and nonprofit or public entities serving rural Arkansas

Available Funding: $55.65 million

Additional information and application materials are available at: Arkansas Rural Health Transformation Program.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Michael Silber2026-05-08T12:17:55-04:00May 8, 2026|Arkansas|

Colorado

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing has scheduled two upcoming webinars for RHTP stakeholders. An Allowable/Non-Allowable Expenses webinar will be held on May 19 from 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm, covering essential budget-planning information for RHTP applicants, with a 30-minute presentation followed by Q&A. A second webinar on How to Prepare for this Grant is scheduled for May 26 from 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm, designed to help stakeholders prepare for the Request for Application (RFA) release.

The state published key planning documents, including an Eligible Rural Health Providers and Partners list updated in April 2026, and maintains a Vendor Interest Form for potential partners. Future webinar topics on vendor partnerships and RFA completion are planned with dates to be announced.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Michael Silber2026-05-08T12:17:19-04:00May 8, 2026|Colorado|