Care Closer to Home Blueprint: Improving Care Delivery and Access through Transportation Grant Program

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is offering a funding opportunity under its Rural Health Transformation Program to support the Care Closer to Home Blueprint through the Improving Care Delivery and Access through Transportation initiative. This program is part of a broader statewide effort to strengthen rural health systems and ensure that residents in underserved and geographically isolated areas can access high quality care without significant travel barriers. The department operates as the primary public health and human services agency for the state of Michigan and plays a central role in administering federal and state resources aimed at improving population health outcomes. The purpose of this grant program is to address transportation related barriers that prevent rural populations from receiving timely and appropriate health care services. Funding is intended to support both technical assistance efforts and community based programs that improve access to care and promote healthier lifestyles. The initiative aligns with four major strategic priorities of the Rural Health Transformation Program, including strengthening partnerships, stabilizing the health workforce, improving interoperability among providers, and developing innovative service delivery models that bring care closer to where people live and work. Funding will support projects that expand transportation options or integrate transportation solutions into health care delivery systems. This may include coordination between transit agencies and health providers, deployment of mobile services, or other locally driven strategies that enhance access to care. While specific restrictions are not detailed in the announcement, funds are expected to be used in alignment with program goals focused on access, coordination, and community health improvement. There is no explicit mention of cost sharing or matching requirements in the provided materials. Eligibility for the program is broad and inclusive, encompassing nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status, for profit entities, public and private organizations, local municipalities, transit agencies, health departments, health systems, health plans, community coalitions, and foundations. This inclusive eligibility framework is intended to encourage cross sector collaboration and innovative approaches to rural health challenges. Applicants are expected to demonstrate capacity to implement community driven solutions and align with the program’s strategic priorities. The application process requires electronic submission through the EGrAMS system, which is the state’s grants management platform. Interested applicants must first request access to the application system by a specified deadline. A pre application webinar is scheduled to provide guidance on system usage and application requirements, and a recording will be made available afterward. The full application must be submitted electronically by the stated deadline, and applicants are encouraged to review the competitive application instructions and supporting documents available within the system. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a project director access request deadline followed by a final application submission deadline. Awards are expected to be distributed across fifteen recipients, with the performance period running from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The program is supported by federal funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under a broader financial assistance award, indicating alignment with federal health priorities. There is no explicit indication that this program is recurring, though it is part of a larger transformation initiative that may have multiple funding rounds over time.