The purpose of this funding is to strengthen healthcare workforce pipelines in rural Illinois through the expansion and enhancement of the professional clinical and allied health workforce. More specifically, funding will support: expansion of high-need healthcare programs, increased instructional and clinical capacity, enhanced student supports, workforce partnerships, innovative delivery models that address rural barriers.

The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21). Funding available through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

110 ILCS 805/2-12

110 ILCS 805/2-12

This initiative aims to strengthen rural healthcare delivery systems by improving access to training, increasing credential attainment, and bolstering employment outcomes in rural Illinois communities. By expanding pipelines for registered and perioperative nurses, physical therapy assistants, and respiratory therapists, Illinois community colleges directly stabilize understaffed rural critical access hospitals, ensuring residents do not have to travel hours to larger cities for emergency or rehabilitation care. Furthermore, training dental hygienists and nurse midwives locally directly combats the expanding maternal and oral health deserts across rural Illinois. Community colleges will train healthcare workers who are not only competent, but who also understand the specific socioeconomic realities of their patients. Ultimately, Illinois community colleges will leverage the grant resources to transform local students into permanent, lifesaving healthcare workers for the state’s most vulnerable populations.

Yes

Eligible applicants must address the following areas 1. building regional and institutional capacity, 2. program development and expansion, 3. development of a wraparound student support model. Recipients will also be required to participate in statewide collaborative efforts.

Education Organizations; Government Organizations;

Community colleges in counties meeting the “rural” classification defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) using the following criteria: non-metropolitan counties; outlying metropolitan counties with no population from an urban area of 50,000 or more people; census tracts with Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes 4-10 in metropolitan counties; census tracts of at least 400 square miles in areas with a population density of 35 or fewer per square mile with RUCA codes 2-3 in metropolitan counties; census tracts with Research Report Series (RRS) 5 and RUCA codes 2-3 that are at least 20 square miles in area in metropolitan counties.

Healthcare workers in targeted careers and the rural communities that these workers serve.

Formula Grants

Healthcare

Complete application package inclusive of an application narrative that follows the Notice of Funding Opportunity as well as a complete and accurate budget document.

Grantee must complete GATA pre-award requirements.

Application must be completed and submitted via Euna, the statewide grant management system. All applications will be reviewed by ICCB staff for completeness and accuracy.

These funds are non-competitive and will be awarded on a predetermined formula-basis.

Awards will be determined based on complete applications meeting program objectives. Reimbursements based on requests for reimbursement submitted via Euna.

Deadlines will be stipulated in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), which will be posted on the CSFA and ICCB's grant opportunities web page.

Estimated 20 to 45 days.

Appeals Pursuant to IL Admin Code

Per US DHHS, RHT Program funding is $50 billion to be allocated to approved States over five fiscal years, with $10 billion of funding available nationwide each fiscal year, beginning in federal fiscal year 2026 and ending in federal fiscal year 2030.

Allocations are calculated with 1) a base allocation and 2) an additional amount based upon program completions in eligible healthcare programs, with the priority programs (Nursing) weighted higher within the methodology. 1. Base Funding: $100,000 per district base allocation; 2. Prioritized Program: using the number of completers in recent academic years, determinations for high need in prioritized programs.

These federal funds must be used as stipulated in the NOFO and in accordance with guidance received by federal CMS and or Illinois HFS. All 2 CFR 200 (UG) regulations apply.

Quarterly reporting will be required. Additionally, any other required reports as deemed necessary by the ICCB, Illinois HFS, and/or federal CMS.

Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90

Compliance with GATA and UG record retention requirements.

TBD

FY27: $9,300,000

Base $100,000 award plus formulaic amounts based on college throughput in selected healthcare programs.

The program will increase access to healthcare in the targeted, rural areas.

2 CFR 200 and GATA regulations.

Not applicable.

401 E. Capitol Street, Springfield IL

https://www.iccb.org/divisions/career-and-tech-education/healthcare/

State of IL Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce Program (PATH)

PATH had provided funding to community colleges to help students earn credentials and degrees in nursing and other healthcare fields through SFY26.

None

FY 2027 : $9,300,000