Traditional Health Worker Professional Development

The YCCO Traditional Health Worker Professional Development Funding Opportunity is administered by Yamhill Community Care, a community-based coordinated care organization established in 2012 to serve Yamhill County and surrounding regions. The organization was founded by local stakeholders to ensure healthcare decisions remained community-driven rather than externally controlled. YCCO operates with a mission to improve quality of life and health outcomes through coordinated care and emphasizes principles such as equity, transparency, innovation, and community empowerment. Through its grantmaking programs, YCCO has historically supported healthcare innovation, service integration, and community-based initiatives that address social determinants of health. This funding opportunity is designed to support the professional development and capacity building of Traditional Health Workers, including community health workers, doulas, peer support specialists, and related roles. The program prioritizes projects that expand workforce diversity, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities and those serving high-need or underserved populations. Eligible activities include supervisory and mentorship training, certification programs, continuing education, and investments in health information technology that improve coordination of care and social needs referrals. Additional emphasis is placed on program expansion efforts that increase outreach, develop culturally specific programming, and enhance engagement with vulnerable communities. Funding restrictions are clearly defined. Funds cannot be used for direct healthcare service delivery, political activities, subgranting, or any services already covered under Medicaid. The program also prohibits awards to individuals, requiring applicants to be organizations. Projects must not replace existing funding streams and must demonstrate efficient and appropriate use of grant funds. Administrative expenses are capped at 10 percent of the total budget. Applicants may be required to meet additional compliance requirements, including submission of financial documentation, execution of agreements for handling protected health information, and adherence to insurance and background check standards. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, federally recognized tribes, and public agencies. Projects must serve YCCO’s defined service area, which includes Yamhill, Polk, and Washington counties. While collaborations are permitted, only one organization may act as the fiscal sponsor and submit the application. Organizations must also be in good standing, with no outstanding contractual obligations to YCCO, and must pass screening for federal healthcare exclusion lists. The funding opportunity does not support multiple awards to the same organization within a single cycle. The application process is conducted entirely through YCCO’s online application platform, and submissions through email or mail are not accepted. Applicants are required to provide organizational and project information, including a detailed project description, demonstrated community need, measurable outcomes, and a sustainability plan. The application also requires submission of a project budget, timeline, and disclosures related to conflicts of interest and compliance requirements. Technical assistance is available during the application period to support applicants in completing their submissions. Applications for this cycle open on April 8, 2026, and must be submitted by May 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Technical assistance is available until 5:00 PM Pacific Time on the same day. Awards are expected to be announced on June 17, 2026, with contracts due by July 31, 2026, and funds disbursed by August 30, 2026. The evaluation process is based on criteria including alignment with YCCO’s mission and Community Health Improvement Plan, demonstrated community need, project design, equity considerations, organizational capacity, sustainability, and budget efficiency. Proposals are reviewed holistically, with final decisions made by the YCCO Board of Directors. Overall, this funding opportunity reflects YCCO’s strategic commitment to strengthening the Traditional Health Worker workforce and addressing health disparities within its service region. By investing in training, certification, and program expansion, the initiative aims to build a more equitable and effective community health system that responds to the needs of underserved populations.

Ensure strong alignment with YCCO mission and Community Health Improvement Plan; clearly define measurable outcomes; prioritize underserved populations; provide a realistic sustainability plan; demonstrate efficient use of funds