Childcare for the Rural Health Workforce Grant Program

The Childcare for the Rural Health Workforce funding opportunity is part of the broader Rural Health Transformation Program established under federal legislation to improve healthcare delivery in rural communities. This initiative is administered by North Dakota Health and Human Services as part of a statewide effort supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The program is designed to address systemic challenges in rural healthcare, particularly workforce shortages, by investing in innovative and sustainable solutions. One of the key barriers identified is the lack of accessible and affordable childcare, which directly affects the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers in rural areas. This funding opportunity focuses specifically on planning activities that support the development of childcare solutions connected to rural healthcare organizations. Rather than funding construction or direct service delivery, the grant provides resources for feasibility analysis and strategic planning. The goal is to enable rural hospitals to design childcare systems that are sustainable, compliant with licensing requirements, and responsive to workforce needs. These plans are expected to demonstrate operational readiness, financial viability, and alignment with community demand. Eligible projects must include a comprehensive planning process. Required components include a workforce and community childcare needs assessment, evaluation of childcare delivery models such as on site or partnership based approaches, and the development of a detailed implementation plan. Applicants must also prepare staffing plans, facility assessments, operational policies, and timelines. Additional planning elements such as financial modeling, licensing consultation, and stakeholder engagement are encouraged to strengthen project feasibility. Importantly, this funding does not allow capital expenditures, including renovations or construction, as it is strictly a planning grant. Eligibility is limited to rurally located hospitals, including critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, and general acute care hospitals. Tribal health facilities that meet the hospital definition are also eligible, although federally operated Indian Health Service facilities cannot receive funding. Urban hospitals located in specific cities such as Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks are excluded. While partnerships with childcare providers and other organizations are encouraged, the application must be submitted by an eligible hospital entity. The application process requires submission through an online Qualtrics system and includes detailed organizational information, a project narrative, and a completed budget template. Applicants must describe the identified need, proposed strategy, measurable outcomes, and sustainability plan. The evaluation process is based on a scoring tool that assesses how well the proposal aligns with program goals and demonstrates feasibility and impact. Applicants are also required to outline how they will track and report progress on key workforce metrics, such as provider retention and recruitment. The total funding available for this opportunity is three million dollars, with approximately thirty eight awards expected at around seventy eight thousand dollars each. The funding period begins upon execution of the agreement and ends on September 30, 2027. All funds must be expended within this period. Applications are due August 11, 2026, at 5 p.m. Central Time, and late submissions will not be reviewed. A technical assistance call was offered prior to the deadline, and additional support is available through regional development councils. This funding opportunity is part of a multi year initiative, with future implementation funding anticipated following completion of the planning phase. Applicants must complete their planning activities before becoming eligible for subsequent funding rounds. The program emphasizes long term sustainability, collaboration with community partners, and alignment with broader rural health transformation goals. Through this structured planning approach, the initiative aims to create scalable childcare solutions that strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and improve access to care.

Focus on data driven planning, demonstrate sustainability, align with workforce metrics, and clearly justify financial feasibility