Rural Health Transformation Program - Overcoming Geographic Barriers to Care, Technological Innovation for Virtual Care
CSFA Number: 478-00-3984
Agency Name
Department Of Healthcare And Family Services (478)
Agency Identification
Il Dept of Healthcare and Family Services
Agency Contact
Dani Mendez
(773)720-9469
Dani.Mendez@Illinois.gov
Short Description
Illinois’ Rural Health Transformation Program will support rural communities across the State of Illinois in improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming healthcare delivery. This program will ensure that individuals in rural areas have consistent access to specialty care in their communities through investments in technology interventions aimed to bring specialty care to those high-need rural populations through technology solutions, rather than transporting individuals out of their communities.
Federal Authorization
Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21
Illinois Statue Authorization
N/A
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
The Overcoming Geographic Barriers to Care initiative will address sustainable access and tech innovation strategic goals through investments in mobile health services, expansion of EMS capabilities, and state investments in telehealth, interoperability, Electronic Health Record (EHR) modernization, and other technological innovations to expand healthcare service offerings, especially access to specialist services where they currently are not readily available, in rural areas of the state. This will be implemented in part through the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network's efforts under the Illinois Connect Care Collaborative model.
Prime Recipient
Yes
UGA Program Terms
As identified in the opportunity.
Eligible Applicants
Other;
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicant(s)include (must also be registered and in good standing with the State): Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network
Beneficiary Eligibility
The beneficiaries of the Overcoming Geographic Barriers initiative will be residents of rural communities where access to essential health services is limited by geographic isolation, workforce shortages and resource constraints. This initiative will help to ensure all residents of the State of Illinois will have access to high-quality, sustainable care.
Types of Assistance
Non-competitive
Subject / Service Area
Healthcare
Credentials / Documentation
Registration and pre-qualification through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal is required, www.grants.illinois.gov/portal.
Preapplication Coordination
Registration and pre-qualification through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, www.grants.illinois.gov/portal.
Application Procedures
The recipients will be contacted directly by the Department and provided additional information regarding the application requirements and necessary documentation needed to submit a complete application packet. The recipients will be expected to demonstrate how it will spend the funds received and to submit proposals with compelling evidence of impact for direct awards as subrecipients of RHT funds.
Criteria Selecting Proposals
The recipients will be contacted directly by the Department and provided additional information regarding the application requirements and necessary documentation needed to submit a complete application packet. The recipients will be expected to demonstrate how it will spend the funds received and to submit proposals with compelling evidence of impact for direct awards as subrecipients of RHT funds.
Award Procedures
The Department will make direct contact with award recipients. Based on the named grantees in the HFS federal award received, this will not be a competitive grant, and a merit-based review would not be necessary.
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Grant agreements are subject to appropriations and receipt of federal funds.
Formula Matching Requirements
None.
Uses and Restrictions
Awardees are to use funds for support staff, consulting contracts, and infrastructure payments to support the implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program, Overcoming Geographic Barriers initiative related to the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network's efforts under the Illinois Connected Care Collaborative program to support technological innovation.
Reports
Awardees will be expected to submit monthly progress and financial reports to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and assist with other HFS reporting needs as applicable. Reports will include but are not limited to: Submit program reports Submit financial status reports Submit closeout financial status report, property inventory, and closeout program report
Audits
Awardees must comply with the audit requirements listed in 2 CFR 200 and Administrative Rule, 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90.
Records
Awardees must maintain for three (3) years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report, adequate books, all financial records and, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to this Award, adequate to comply with 2 CFR 200.334 and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.430(a) and (b).
Account Identification
Award# RHTCMS332055-01-01
Obligations
Subject to available funding, total RHT-TIVC specific funding is estimated at $40,199,658.21 for the first federal Budget Period (January 2026 to October 2026). Subject to available funding. total RHT-TIVC specific funding is estimated at $8,039,931.64 in the current fiscal year (SFY26).
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Subject to available funding, the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network will be awarded an estimated $40,199,658.21 for the first federal Budget Period. Award amounts for Budget Periods 2 to 5 will be determined at a later time.
Program Accomplishments
As identified in the opportunity.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 300; https://www.cms.gov/priorities/rural-health-transformation-rht-program/overview
Regional or Local Assistance Location
Statewide
Headquarters Office
Illinois Dept of Healthcare and Family Services 201 South Grand Ave E Division of Medical Program Services Springfield, IL 62763-1000
Program Website
https://hfs.illinois.gov/info/fedresctr/ruralhealthtp.html
Example Projects
New programming.
Published Date
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2026 : $8,039,932
FY 2027 : $32,159,727
Federal Funding
Notice of Funding Opportunities
None
None