Perinatal and Pediatric Behavioral Health Teleconsultation and Education Project Grant

The Perinatal and Pediatric Behavioral Health Teleconsultation and Education Project is a competitive grant opportunity issued by the Tennessee Department of Health as part of the broader Rural Health Transformation Program. This initiative is funded through a federal award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is designed to strengthen healthcare delivery systems across rural Tennessee. The Department of Health seeks to establish a statewide program that addresses critical gaps in behavioral health services for both perinatal populations and pediatric patients. The funding reflects a strategic investment in improving access to specialized care and enhancing long-term health outcomes for vulnerable populations. The primary purpose of the grant is to expand access to behavioral health consultation and education services through the use of teleconsultation systems. The project focuses on supporting healthcare providers, particularly perinatal and pediatric professionals, by equipping them with the tools and expertise needed to screen, diagnose, manage, and refer patients with behavioral health conditions. These conditions include depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as behavioral health challenges affecting children and adolescents under the age of 21. The initiative emphasizes building a coordinated and sustainable system that integrates psychiatric consultation, provider training, care navigation, and connections to community-based services. Funding for this opportunity is capped at a total of 2,500,000 dollars, with the state intending to award a single grant to one qualified applicant. The project period is expected to run from September 1, 2026 through October 30, 2030, allowing for multi-year implementation and system development. Applicants are expected to provide detailed budgets aligned with federal cost principles and to justify all expenditures. While indirect costs are allowable, applications that minimize such costs may receive priority consideration due to the limited funding available. Eligibility for this opportunity is not explicitly restricted to a specific organizational type within the provided materials, but applicants must demonstrate sufficient organizational capacity, experience in behavioral health or substance use disorder services, and the ability to implement a statewide program. The application requires submission of multiple components, including a detailed proposal outlining goals and activities, a staffing plan, resumes of key personnel, a line-item budget with justification, letters of support, and compliance documentation. Applicants must also complete required administrative forms such as a W-9 and state supplier registration documents. The submission process is conducted through an online portal hosted by the Tennessee Department of Health, and strict adherence to deadlines is required. The application window opens on May 15, 2026 and closes on June 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Central Time. Additional key dates include a pre-response teleconference on May 20, 2026 and a deadline for written questions on May 26, 2026, with responses issued on June 1, 2026. Applications are evaluated by a committee based on criteria such as organizational capacity, experience, proposed activities, cost effectiveness, staffing qualifications, and sustainability planning. Following submission, applications undergo a formal review process conducted by a committee of at least three representatives from the Department of Health. The committee evaluates proposals based on their responsiveness to the program’s objectives and their potential to deliver measurable improvements in behavioral health access and outcomes. The selected applicant will be recommended to the Commissioner of the Department of Health for final approval, and contract negotiations will follow. The anticipated contract start date is September 1, 2026. This funding opportunity represents the first in a series of grants under the Rural Health Transformation Program, which aims to deploy substantial federal funding to improve healthcare infrastructure and access in rural communities across Tennessee. The program reflects a long-term commitment to addressing systemic challenges in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas, by investing in scalable, technology-enabled solutions that enhance provider capacity and patient care.

Emphasize sustainability cost effectiveness and organizational experience in behavioral health; minimize indirect costs; align staffing with required structure