Tennessee

Tennessee has officially launched its Rural Health Transformation Grants, with an announcement from the Commissioner of Health. The program aims to support and transform healthcare in rural communities. No specific funding amounts or sub-awardees are named in this announcement.

This amendment to the Tennessee RFA updates the schedule for the Healthcare Resiliency Program: Health Technology and Innovation (Short-Range). Application deadline is July 27, 2026, with contracts set to start September 1, 2026. No changes were made to other terms of the RFA. Event schedule: - Pre-response Teleconference - 11:30 a.m. CT - Written 'Questions & Comments' Deadline - 2:00 p.m. CT - State Response to Written Questions & Comments - July 13, 2026 - Deadline for Applications - July 27, 2026 - 2:00 p.m. CT - Evaluation Notice Released - August 24, 2026 - Effective Start Date of Contract - September 1, 2026

Amendment #1 confirms deadlines for an RFA targeting rural hospitals, CAHs, clinics, and eligible partners to expand or co-locate key health service lines in rural TN. Eligible types include FQHCs, school-based clinics, RHCs, telehealth consortia, and collaborations. Supports minor interior renovations, equipment, workforce, and technology if tied to service expansion. Event schedule: - Pre-response Teleconference - 06/17/2026 - 1:00 p.m. CT - Teleconference Link - Deadline for Applications - 07/13/2026 - 2:00 p.m. CT - Evaluation Notice Released - 08/10/2026 - Effective Start Date of Contract - 09/01/2026 - RFA Amendment Release - 2018-09-20 - America/Chicago - Tennessee - RFA Amendment Effective Date - 09-20-18

This document provides the official template for applicants to articulate their strategic plan and measurable deliverables for the End Zone program. It requires applicants to identify target rural communities, outline policy and environmental strategies, set concrete deliverables, and track demographic reach. The work plan places particular emphasis on food access, healthy environments, and at-risk populations.

The East Tennessee pilot aims to establish a behavioral health teleconsultation and education program for perinatal and pediatric professionals. Key activities include recruiting a clinical team, implementing outreach, launching a teleconsultation line, provider education, convening an expert panel, and forming learning collaboratives. The project is designed to expand regionally and statewide after initial pilot implementation.

Event schedule: - Tennessee to Release 1st Grant Funding Opportunity of Rural Health Transformation Program Skip to Main Content Go to TN.gov Go to TN.gov Section Go to Health Calendar Careers Contact Department Licensure Local Maternal Health Innovation Maternal Mortality Review Print This Page Print This Page Go to Search Information About the New Website for the Tennessee Department of Health Tennessee to Release 1st Grant Funding Opportunity of Rural Health Transformation Program Friday, May 15, 2026 - 11:00am NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health ( TDH ) released the first funding opportunity today of the Rural Health Transformation Program ( RHTP ). This begins a roll-out of competitive grant programs to deliver long-term, sustainable improvements in Tennessee’s rural health systems. “Tennessee is committed to strengthening rural health care and ensuring every resident has access to high-quality services, no matter where they live,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said. “Through the Rural Health Transformation Program, we are responding to rural community needs by investing in structural solutions that will improve outcomes for rural families.” A link to the RHTP grant application portal, with funding materials and submission instructions, is available on both the RHTP homepage and in its Opportunities content section . Today’s release marks the first in a series of 2026 funding opportunities, with TDH aiming to commit its first year of funding to rural health projects by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) deadline of Oct. 30, 2026. The inaugural funding opportunity, for a Perinatal and Pediatric Behavioral Health Teleconsultation and Education Project , will support the use of technology to expand access to behavioral health education and consultation services. The initiative is designed to improve health outcomes for women, infants and children in rural communities. Additionally, upcoming RHTP competitive grant opportunities, with release dates and application deadlines, include: Perinatal and Pediatric Behavioral Health Teleconsultation and Education May 15 to June 15, 2026 Healthy Active Rural Tennessee (HART) May 22 to June 22, 2026 Healthcare Resiliency Program (HRP): Maternal Child Health May 29 to June 29, 2026 Chronic Disease Prevention June 5 to July 6, 2026 HRP: Service Line and Co-Location June 12 to July 13, 2026 Memory Care Assessment Network (MCAN) June 19 to July 20, 2026 Health Tech Innovation June 26 to July 27, 2026 HRP: Make Rural Tennessee Healthy Again (MaRTHA) July 3 to Aug. 3, 2026 County Health Council CARE Grants July 10 to Aug. 10, 2026 “Tennessee’s RHTP grants represent a strategic investment in the health of our rural communities,” Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. John Dunn said. “By expanding access to specialized care and supporting local providers, we are working to improve health outcomes and create sustainable solutions across the state.” Potential RHTP applicants can sign up to receive email notifications and be informed when the department announces new project funding and grant opportunities. CMS awarded Tennessee $206,888,882 in late 2025 through the federal RHTP grant program, a nationwide, five-year commitment of $50 billion dedicated to improving access to care, quality, and health outcomes in rural communities nationwide. The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of all people in Tennessee. Learn more on the TDH website about department programs and services , and to find location information for Tennessee’s local health departments . This project 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 $206,888,882.11 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. Social Media facebook twitter youtube linkedin Food & Nutrition Commodity Food Program Nutrition Programs Pick TN Products Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Tennessee WIC Families & Kids Adopt a Child CoverKids Education Resources KidCentralTN Tennessee Disability Pathfinder State Government Resources Driver Services MyTN State Directory State Services Lookup Transparent Tennessee Get Outside Free TN Vacation Guide Outdoor Recreation State Historic Sites TN Natural Areas Tennessee State Parks Department of Health John R. Dunn, DVM, PhD, EMBA-SL Commissioner 710 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243 tn.health@tn.gov Contact Us Flag Status Chat Help Translate Font Size a- Normal A+ TN.gov Services TN.gov Directory Transparent TN Web Policies Mobile App About Tennessee Title VI Accessibility Help & Contact Survey Close

This CMS document summarizes FY26 applications for the RHTP from multiple states, each proposing high-value, high-impact transformation plans for improving rural healthcare access, quality, and sustainability. All states focus on building workforce, expanding digital/telehealth solutions, and addressing maternal, chronic, and behavioral health needs. Most applications include new state-level initiatives, partnerships, and proposed outcomes for measurable health improvement.

This 2023 Task Force report offers actionable recommendations to improve rural access to care, workforce development, and social drivers of health in Tennessee. Strategic initiatives include a Center of Excellence, care access and telehealth pilots, expanded apprenticeship and training programs, and support for county health councils through grants and partnerships. Recommendations emphasize leveraging both public and private resources.

The Tennessee Maternal Health Strategic Plan (MHSP) 2025-2030 is a comprehensive approach to reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in Tennessee through quality improvement, workforce strengthening, and addressing social determinants of health. The plan is supported by a $2.17 million HRSA award and includes clear performance targets and indicators. Key strategies target rural, high-need, and at-risk populations with a cross-sector partnership approach.

This is the template interagency grant agreement for Tennessee’s RHTP Health Technology and Innovation (Short Range) initiative. It establishes contract terms for a 12-month period, focusing on supporting rural providers in deploying and integrating health technology solutions, improving access and quality, and reporting progress to both Tennessee Department of Health and CMS. The agreement includes standard performance measurement and reporting requirements aligned with the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program. No award amounts or sub-awardees are specified in this document. Key contacts: Amanda Ables, MPA Amanda.Ables@tn.gov; Angela Sumner angela.sumner@tn.gov; Rushdi Eskarous rushdi.eskarous@tn.gov Event schedule: - Effective Date (Start of Grant Agreement) - 09/01/2026 - CT - Tennessee - Initial Grantee Training Call Deadline - Quarterly Written Progress Reports Due

The state offers grant opportunities including Perinatal and Pediatric Behavioral Teleconsultation and Education, Healthy Active Rural Tennessee (HART) for built environment projects, and Maternal/Infant and Child Health Healthcare Resiliency projects. These initiatives focus on expanding access to behavioral health, improving health outcomes through environment modifications, and strengthening maternal and child health systems, specifically targeting rural communities. Event schedule: - Perinatal and Pediatric Behavioral Teleconsultation Grant Close Date - 6/15/2026 - Healthy Active Rural Tennessee (HART) Grant Close Date - 6/22/2026 - Maternal/Infant and Child Health Healthcare Resiliency Grant Close Date - 6/29/2026