The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking applicants for an Ancillary Healthcare provider member on each of the six newly established Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Health Care Advisory Regions (HCARs) in the state.  

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS aims to open Requests for Applications (RFAs) throughout the year, starting in March, with funding awards expected to begin in Spring 2026. Multiple RFAs are currently open with upcoming deadlines, including Regional Food Pantry Development (due April 8), Nebraska Kids Fitness & Nutrition (due April 3) and Rural Health Care Workforce Incentive & Sustainability with multiple deadline options (April 1, May 1 and June 1). 

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

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the Request for Applications (RFA) for three grant opportunities under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in the state. These include the following: 

RHTP-1.2 Make Rural Nebraska Healthy Again Through Food as Medicine aims to assess the landscape of food cooperatives and food pantries that procure locally grown items used in school nutrition programs and identify readiness for partnerships with schools by strengthening regional and local food aggregation hubs through the development of procurement tools for producers. Eligible applicants include producers (farmers and ranchers), food cooperatives, non-profit entities, and food pantries interested in partnering with schools. Applications are due April 8.  

RHTP-3.3 Rural Health Care Workforce Incentive and Sustainability Model aims to strengthen Nebraska's health care workforce by supporting the development and expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) third-party partners focused on health care career pathways. Eligible entities include local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit or for-profit entities. Applications are due June 1.  

RHTP-4.4A Chronic Disease Management Navigation and Education Initiative aims to connect people in need with resources to promote healthy living and strengthen coordination among patients and health systems. Eligible applicants include rural clinics, federally qualified health centers, certified community behavioral health clinics, local health departments, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, rural hospitals, tribal health facilities, and more. Applications are due by March 17.  

To learn more, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Rural-Health-Transformation.aspx.  

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