The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) has officially released the ToRCH Care Smart Growth and Service Line Modification (Horizon 2) funding opportunity, providing Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and other eligible rural healthcare organizations with the opportunity to secure funding for projects that strengthen access to care across rural Missouri.

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Can Rural Health Clinics Apply?

Rural Health Clinics are specifically identified as eligible health centers under this funding opportunity, provided the proposed project aligns with one or more of Horizon 2's priority service lines and benefits eligible rural communities. The solicitation also notes that applicants may include hospital-affiliated or health center-affiliated entities applying on behalf of an eligible RHC.

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What Types of Projects Can Be Funded?

Unlike Horizon 1, which focused primarily on preserving existing services, Horizon 2 is designed to help rural providers modernize, renovate, reconfigure, equip, or repurpose existing facilities to expand access to high-priority healthcare services. Projects should improve long-term sustainability while helping patients receive care closer to home.

Projects must support at least one of the following priority service lines:

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1. Maternal Health Infrastructure

   • ​Prenatal or postpartum care spaces

   • Ultrasound modernization

   • Maternal-fetal tele-health capabilities

   • Hybrid prenatal care hubs

   • Family support and patient education spaces
      

2. Behavioral Health Infrastructure

   • ​Telepsychiatry rooms

   • Integrated behavioral health spaces

   • Crisis stabilization areas

   • Behavioral health safety improvements
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3. Care coordination and navigation areas

   • ​Diagnostics, Outpatient Care & Chronic Disease Management

   • Primary care exam room modernization

   • Imaging and laboratory equipment

   • Remote patient monitoring infrastructure

   • Virtual specialty consultation rooms

   • Chronic disease management and care coordination spaces

   • Patient navigation and follow-up infrastructure

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These investments are intended to expand rural access, reduce unnecessary travel, strengthen care coordination, and improve long-term sustainability of rural healthcare services.

 

Funding Details

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• Projects must utilize existing facilities—new construction is not eligible.

• Individual projects may request up to $5 million.

• Applicants are generally required to provide a 25% project match, although financial hardship waivers may be available.

• Projects must demonstrate long-term sustainability and address documented community or regional healthcare needs.

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Application Deadline

Proposals are due to the Missouri Department of Social Services by September 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CT.

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RHCs interested in applying should:

• Download the complete IFB directly from the Missouri Department of Social Services website. Applicants are responsible for reviewing the full solicitation and monitoring for any amendments issued during the application period.

• Prepare a proposal that aligns with one of the Horizon 2 priority service lines and demonstrates how the project will improve access to care, address documented community needs, and remain sustainable beyond the grant period.

• Submit your bid by email no later than 2:00 p.m. CT on August 28, 2026 to dirk.elrod@dss.mo.gov. Bid submissions should include the solicitation number, company name, and a contact name, and all attachments should be searchable.

• Ensure your organization is properly registered in MissouriBUYS. To be eligible for an award, suppliers must have "Approved" status in the current MissouriBUYS (WebProcure/Proactis) system and "Spend Authorized" status in the new MissouriBUYS powered by MOVERS system. Organizations should also verify they have selected the appropriate commodity code (UNSPSC 85101500 – Healthcare Centers) during registration.
  
   

  This is a significant funding opportunity for Missouri Rural Health Clinics looking to expand primary care, behavioral health, maternal health, diagnostic services, or chronic disease management through strategic infrastructure investments.

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Updated August 13, 2026