From Crisis to Care: EMS Training Equipment Quality and Offer Mobile Training Units Program

The funding opportunity titled From Crisis to Care: EMS Training Equipment Quality and Offer Mobile Training Units is issued under the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This program is part of a broader statewide initiative designed to improve health outcomes and expand access to care in rural communities through targeted infrastructure investments and workforce development. The Rural Health Transformation Plan outlines multiple initiatives, including the Crisis to Care program, which specifically focuses on strengthening emergency medical services capacity, coordination, and workforce readiness across Kentucky. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance the quality and accessibility of emergency medical services education and hands-on skills training. The program seeks to address barriers faced by rural communities, including limited access to training facilities and long travel distances for in-person instruction. By investing in training equipment and mobile simulation units, the program aims to increase the number of certified EMS professionals and improve the quality of patient care delivered in underserved areas. Applicants may pursue funding to upgrade existing training programs or to establish or expand mobile training units that deliver hands-on instruction directly to rural locations. Funding may be used for a range of allowable activities directly tied to improving EMS training capacity. These include the purchase or rental of training equipment such as mannequins, diagnostic tools, trauma care supplies, and immobilization devices. Applicants may also use funds to support the development or expansion of mobile training simulation units, including associated operational and administrative costs. Additional allowable uses include costs related to upgrading Training Education Institution certification levels and limited administrative expenses tied to program implementation. Indirect costs are capped at ten percent of the total award, and administrative costs combined may not exceed this threshold. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to nonprofit or publicly funded agencies that are licensed as Training Education Institutions by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services and are operating within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Applicants must be in good standing and maintain compliance throughout the award period. These agencies must demonstrate the capacity to deliver hands-on training, maintain partnerships with didactic training programs, and expand access to learners beyond their immediate service areas. Programs are expected to serve rural communities and align with state-defined standards for EMS education and certification. The application process requires submission of a comprehensive proposal including agency information, training program details, selection of funding pathway, and a detailed narrative outlining methodology, evaluation plans, and sustainability strategies. Applicants must also submit a budget using the required template and provide supporting documentation such as licensure verification and letters of support. Applications are submitted via email to the designated program contact and must adhere to page limits and formatting requirements specified in the request for application. Applications are evaluated based on a structured scoring system that emphasizes program readiness, rural reach and impact, sustainability, implementation timeline, and budget quality. Particular attention is given to the applicant’s ability to expand access to rural populations, support student success in training programs, and align with existing curriculum standards. Proposals must also demonstrate a feasible plan for long-term financial sustainability beyond the initial grant period. The application timeline includes a release date of May 11, 2026, with a submission deadline of June 12, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by July 1, 2026, with funding beginning on August 1, 2026. The initial period of performance runs through June 30, 2027, with potential for additional funding in subsequent years based on performance and availability. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and future funding cycles are anticipated as part of the multi-year Rural Health Transformation Program.

Prioritize clear rural impact and demonstrate readiness with defined partnerships and leadership capacity; ensure alignment with EMS curriculum standards and provide a strong sustainability plan