Healthy Hometowns: Communities of Care Co-Location Program

The Healthy Hometowns Communities of Care Co-Location Program is administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services as part of the state’s broader Rural Health Transformation initiative. This program is funded through a federal award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Rural Health Transformation Program and is designed to improve healthcare delivery in rural Iowa. The initiative reflects a statewide strategy to address persistent barriers such as limited access to care, workforce shortages, and disparities in health outcomes by fostering integrated, community-based care models. The program emphasizes collaboration among multiple service providers and aims to strengthen long-term healthcare sustainability in rural communities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish and support pilot Co-Location Sites where at least three distinct service delivery entities operate in a shared rural location. These sites are intended to provide coordinated clinical and non-clinical services in a single setting, allowing residents to access comprehensive care during one visit. The program prioritizes chronic disease prevention and management, care coordination, and integration of health-related social services. By encouraging partnerships among healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and other service entities, the program seeks to improve patient outcomes, reduce fragmentation, and enhance efficiency in rural healthcare delivery systems. Funding under this program is substantial, with approximately $39.5 million anticipated for the first year and over $168 million projected across the full contract period. Individual applicants may request multi-year funding with approximate total awards of up to $24 million over four years. Funds are intended to support startup activities, infrastructure development, staffing, technology integration, and care coordination services. However, strict cost restrictions apply, including caps on administrative expenses and prohibitions on major construction. Allowable uses include staffing for care coordination, telehealth infrastructure, shared operational systems, and evidence-based chronic disease interventions. The program explicitly requires that funded sites become financially sustainable over time without continued reliance on government funding. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as public agencies, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, academic institutions, and governmental entities that provide health or health-related social services. Applicants must serve as the lead organization for a Co-Location Site and demonstrate formal partnerships with at least two additional service delivery entities. Eligibility requirements also include submitting a mandatory letter of intent, identifying a rural service location, and providing signed memoranda of understanding with partner organizations. Priority is given to applications that demonstrate diverse, unaffiliated partnerships and inclusion of services addressing social determinants of health. The application process is structured and requires submission through the IowaGrants electronic system. Applicants must complete multiple forms, including organizational information, project plans, staffing models, and detailed budgets. Required components include work plans aligned with program deliverables, evidence of partnerships, and a comprehensive operational strategy. The program also includes an optional applicant conference and a formal question-and-answer period. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as project design, readiness, collaboration strength, and potential impact on rural health outcomes. Key dates for the funding cycle include the release of the RFP on July 14, 2026, a mandatory letter of intent due August 10, 2026, and full applications due September 1, 2026. Award notifications are expected in October 2026, with contracts beginning around October 31, 2026 and extending through September 2031. The program includes ongoing reporting requirements, performance monitoring, and evaluation activities throughout the contract period. Successful applicants must meet milestones such as launching services by December 31, 2027 and executing formal agreements with partners within six months of contract initiation. The program is expected to recur as part of the broader Rural Health Transformation effort, although future funding rounds depend on federal approvals and state priorities. Applicants are encouraged to maintain communication with the issuing officer and monitor updates through the IowaGrants system. The primary contact for inquiries is Ryan Roovaart, who serves as the issuing officer for the RFP. Overall, this initiative represents a significant investment in transforming rural healthcare delivery through integrated, community-centered models that emphasize sustainability, coordination, and improved health outcomes.

Emphasize strong multi-entity partnerships, demonstrate sustainability beyond grant funding, and clearly show integration of services and chronic disease impact.