the Rural Health Transformation Plan's five strategic initiatives: chronic diseases, maternal health, behavioral health, dental access, and emergency response. Funds can be used for equipment, mobile units, select administrative/support costs. Applicants must be in good standing with KBEMS. Initial awards are for Year 1 (August 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), with possible subsequent funding based on performance. $212.9M total program funding allocated for this RFA cycle. This RFA invites eligible, non-profit Kentucky Board of EMS licensed agencies to apply for funding to implement 'Treat-No-Transport' and 'Transport to Alternative Destinations' protocols as part of the Crisis to Care Initiative under Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The goal is to strengthen rural emergency medical services by supporting care in the field and improving patient care pathways, reducing unnecessary emergency department utilization, and expanding rural EMS readiness and capacity. The Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), invites Local Health Departments (LHDs) to apply for funding to expand Public Health Dental Hygiene (PHDH) teams. The initiative focuses on preventive oral care, teledentistry, and school-based programs in underserved rural populations. Approximately five LHDs will receive awards around $470,000 each to improve dental health access in rural communities. This Request for Applications (RFA) is issued under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) – Crisis to Care (CTC) – EMS Transformation initiative, funded by the CMS Rural Health Transformation Fund. It supports EMS agencies in Kentucky to implement treat-no-transport protocols, expand alternative destination transport options, deploy technology-enabled models of care, and participate in statewide care coordination technology. The program's goals are to improve care coordination, decrease unnecessary emergency department utilization, build rural EMS capacity, and strengthen Kentucky's rural health system infrastructure.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations capable of operating mobile dental units in rural Kentucky, with demonstrated partnerships with local public health and community organizations. Applicants must be able to expand access to restorative and definitive care for high-need rural populations.
Eligible applicants must be KBEMS TEI-licensed non-profit or publicly funded EMS education agencies operating within Kentucky, in good standing at time of application and throughout the award period.
Eligible applicants are non-profit, Kentucky Board of EMS licensed Class Ia or Class Ib EMS agencies that provide 911 emergency responses within the Commonwealth of Kentucky and are in good standing at the time of application and throughout the award period. Good standing includes active license, no disciplinary action, compliance with staffing, equipment and data/reporting requirements, and active Medicaid provider status.
Eligible applicants are Local Health Departments operating in rural counties of Kentucky. Applications are considered on a rolling basis until the closing date.
Eligible applicants are licensed emergency medical services (EMS) agencies serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Public, private, nonprofit, government, and hospital-based EMS providers are all eligible. Applicants must demonstrate capacity for service transformation and a commitment to rural health improvement. Agencies must also be willing to participate in the statewide care coordination technology platform.
Applicants must submit a completed application, project narrative, Attachment A (budget template), required organizational documentation, and evidence of partnerships. Applications must describe service delivery capacity, performance metrics, and financial and operational sustainability for the funding period.
Submit application (≤25 pages) including agency information, applicant contact, TEI & trainer status, funding pathway selection, program overview, timeline, deliverables, methodology, evaluation plan, sustainability plan, attestation of compliance, identification of local CMHCs, and authorized signature. Attach current KBEMS licensure and provider roster. Include budget using FY27 template ('Attachment A'). Include letters of support from agency/medical director. Applications must be submitted via email to jimmie.hampton@ky.gov.
Submit application packet (Attachment A, max 25 pages) including agency/applicant info, service status, proposal & implementation plan, narrative (methodology, partnerships, barriers, evaluation, sustainability), attestation, partner identification, representative signature, current licensure, budget using provided template, and letters of support; Adhere to Kentucky Board of EMS and DMS requirements; Programs must be able to operationalize TNT/TAD services and report implementation progress.
Applicants must complete the official RFA application, provide requested organizational and key stakeholder information, and submit all required documents to the specified contact email. Proposals should detail plans for expanding dental hygiene services, leveraging technology, and serving school-age and underserved populations.
Applicants must submit a complete proposal, not to exceed 25 pages (excluding required attachments), addressing their approach to EMS transformation, implementation of treat-no-transport protocols, alternative destination transport, technology-enabled care, leadership commitment, and engagement with rural communities. Required documentation includes: proof of EMS licensure, completed EMS Agency Funding Application Form (Attachment A), detailed project plan and budget (using provided template), budget justification, signed application forms, and demonstration of leadership commitment. Proposals must address sustainability, workforce development, care coordination, and required participation in the technology platform.
Required attachments
Application Form
Project Narrative
Attachment A: Budget Template
Organizational Documentation
Letters of Partnership/Collaboration
Agency KBEMS TEI licensure and provider roster
Budget for FY27 using 'Attachment A'
Letters of support from agency/medical director
Agency and applicant information
TNT/TAD service status/scope
Program proposal and implementation plan
Application narrative
Submission Instructions
Submit completed applications and required documents by email to john.landis@ky.gov by the stated deadline.
Email submission to jimmie.hampton@ky.gov
Email full application packet to RHT.CTC@ky.gov with subject 'RHT EMS Transformation RFA'
Email applications to marsha.deaton@ky.gov.
Email submission. Applications must be sent to RHT.CTC@ky.gov with 'RHT EMS Transformation RFA' in the subject line. All required attachments must be included. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
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Application Prep
Application #: Not specified
Reference: Not specified
Program: CMS Rural Health Transformation Program (Assistance Listing 93.798)
Match: None (100% federally funded by CMS/HHS)
Performance: 10/01/2026 – 09/30/2027 (project year 1); total program period 12/29/2025 – 10/30/2030
Key Dates:
RFA Released: 05/11/2026
Information Session: 05/21/2026
Office Hours: 05/29/2026
Applications Due: 06/12/2026
Review Criteria:
Evidence of nonprofit status; readiness to operate mobile dental units; breadth and quality of community partnerships; service delivery capacity; sustainability of proposed program; alignment with RHTP objectives; completeness and quality of application.
Archived as support document under 7aaecf5d-f361-4449-b8cf-de2c7e3c5e98 on 2026-06-14T23:09:11.149Z