Rural Health Clinics and other rural healthcare organizations are encouraged to participate in locally driven workforce initiatives through Missouri's Rural Health Transformation Program.

 

Missouri is advancing approximately $11 million in Workforce Retention and Enablers funding through its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to help rural healthcare organizations address persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining essential workers.
 

The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), through its Rural Health Transformation Office (RHTO) and in partnership with Healthier Communities Together (HCT), will coordinate the funding opportunity across Missouri's 27 ToRCH Care Hubs. A statewide informational webinar on November 12, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST will provide an overview of the opportunity and explain how rural providers and community partners can participate.

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For Missouri's Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), this presents an opportunity to identify workforce barriers affecting their operations and work with local partners to develop solutions that support recruitment, retention, and long-term workforce stability.


$11 Million to Support Locally Driven Workforce Solutions
 

Each of Missouri's 27 ToRCH Care Hubs will have approximately $412,000 allocated over two program years, contingent on CMS Year 2 approval, to address workforce priorities identified by local healthcare providers and community partners.
 

Rather than establishing a single statewide approach, the initiative allows each Hub to direct resources toward the workforce challenges most relevant to its communities. Funding is intended to address needs not already covered by other RHTP workforce programs.
 

Subject to final program guidance and federal requirements, eligible proposals may address five areas:
 

• Housing Assistance: Helping recruit and retain healthcare professionals by addressing housing barriers.

• Training and Retention: Supporting workforce development, staff training, and strategies to retain existing employees.

• Transportation: Addressing transportation barriers that affect healthcare workers' ability to access employment.

• Workplace Organizational Support: Improving workplace conditions, organizational capacity, and workforce well-being.

• Innovative Workforce Solutions: Developing locally designed approaches to address specific recruitment and retention challenges.

Potential projects may include housing assistance for new hires, professional development opportunities, transportation support, initiatives to improve employee well-being, and shared recruitment strategies. Certain individual benefits may require a five-year rural service commitment. Additional requirements will be outlined in the final program guidance.

What This Means for Rural Health Clinics
 

Workforce shortages can affect nearly every aspect of rural healthcare delivery, from maintaining adequate staffing and expanding patient access to sustaining essential services. For RHCs, recruiting and retaining qualified clinicians and support staff is particularly important to maintaining consistent access to primary care in rural communities.
 

This funding opportunity allows RHCs and other rural healthcare providers to help identify the barriers affecting their workforce and propose solutions that reflect local needs.
 

RHCs interested in participating should connect with their local ToRCH Care Hub Program Coordinator and Hub Leadership Board to discuss workforce priorities, potential projects, and opportunities to contribute to their Hub's proposal.
 

Importantly, funding proposals will be coordinated through the local ToRCH Care Hubs rather than submitted independently by individual providers. Hub Anchors will coordinate proposals, and Hub Leadership Boards will review and prioritize projects based on community needs, anticipated impact, and available funding.
 

RHCs are encouraged to begin conversations with their local Hub leadership to ensure their workforce needs are considered during the proposal process.


November 12 Webinar: Learn How to Participate

Rural healthcare providers and community partners are encouraged to attend a statewide informational webinar outlining the Workforce Retention and Enablers funding opportunity.

The webinar will cover:

• Eligible funding categories and potential uses.

• The anticipated proposal process and submission timeline.

• Key program requirements and considerations.

• Available resources to help providers and community partners prepare proposals.

Time will also be reserved for questions. Rural Health Clinics, rural hospitals, behavioral health organizations, EMS agencies, pharmacies, other healthcare providers, and community partners are encouraged to attend, along with ToRCH Care Hub Anchors and Program Coordinators.
 

Webinar Details
 

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
 

Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m. CT
 

Format: Virtual
 

Important Registration Instructions: Webinar registration must be accessed directly through the Missouri Department of Social Services website. Registration links are individualized and cannot be shared. To register, visit the Missouri Rural Health Transformation Program website page and follow the webinar registration instructions provided there.
 

Funding Proposal Timeline

The proposal process includes several stages involving rural providers, local Hub leadership, and HCT:
 

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All participation agreements must be completed by the federal December 31 deadline.

Rural healthcare providers interested in participating should connect with their local Hub leadership as early as possible to discuss workforce needs and potential proposals.


Additional Information and Resources

Rural Health Clinics and other rural healthcare organizations can use the following resources to learn more about the funding opportunity and identify opportunities to participate:

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Find Your Local ToRCH Care Hub Leadership and Program Coordinator: Connect with local Hub representatives to share workforce challenges and discuss participation in the proposal process.
 

Missouri Rural Health Transformation Program: Explore the state's broader RHTP initiatives, funding opportunities, and program updates.
 

MARHC encourages Rural Health Clinics to learn more about this opportunity, connect with their local ToRCH Care Hub leadership, and attend the November 12 webinar to better understand how they can participate in locally driven workforce investments.


 

The Rural Health Transformation Program information provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $216,276,817.66, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.​​​​​

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