Healthier Ohio Initiatives Track 1 Grant Program

The Ohio Department of Health is soliciting proposals under the Rural Health Transformation Program for the Healthier Ohio Initiatives Track 1, which focuses on preventing and addressing chronic disease. This program is grounded in federal authorization and aligns with national priorities to improve rural healthcare systems, particularly in non-urban counties across Ohio. The initiative emphasizes strengthening healthcare access, improving quality of care, and addressing long-term outcomes related to chronic disease conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. The program reflects a coordinated effort to integrate clinical care with preventive health strategies to achieve measurable population health improvements. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to reduce the prevalence and mortality rates associated with chronic disease by targeting key indicators such as hemoglobin A1C levels and blood pressure management. Applicants are expected to implement evidence-based interventions that improve patient outcomes through infrastructure enhancements, care coordination, and behavioral health integration. The program requires implementation of five core strategies, including lifestyle medicine capacity building, multidisciplinary care teams, remote patient monitoring technologies, community health worker engagement, and patient cohort tracking. Funding under this opportunity is substantial, with a total program budget not to exceed 14.6 million dollars and individual clinic awards capped at up to 200,000 dollars per project period. Up to 73 awards may be issued, and applicants may propose projects at a single clinic or across multiple locations. Funding must primarily support programmatic activities, with administrative costs limited to no more than 10 percent of the total award. Allowable uses include clinical training, patient monitoring systems, community outreach, and infrastructure improvements directly tied to program outcomes. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes state and local governments, tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare providers such as hospitals and clinics. Applicants must demonstrate at least three years of experience in rural health initiatives, particularly in chronic disease management and clinical quality improvement. Preference is given to rural-based applicants and those with established partnerships or affiliations within rural communities. Applicants must also demonstrate capacity for managing complex, multi-site healthcare interventions and complying with reporting and performance requirements. The application process requires submission of both technical and cost proposals via email, with clearly labeled components. Applicants must also submit a detailed work plan outlining implementation strategies, partnerships, timelines, and evaluation methods. Required reporting includes monthly updates, quarterly performance reports, and a final report summarizing outcomes and sustainability efforts. Evaluation criteria focus on organizational experience, staffing capacity, methodological approach, data collection strategies, and long-term sustainability planning. The timeline for this opportunity includes an inquiry period ending June 9, 2026, and a final application deadline of June 16, 2026. A bidder conference was held on April 21, 2026, to provide additional guidance to applicants. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of renewal for up to four additional years based on performance and funding availability. Applicants should be prepared to engage in ongoing collaboration, training, and evaluation activities throughout the contract term. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a comprehensive effort to transform rural healthcare delivery in Ohio by integrating clinical care with preventive strategies and community engagement. It prioritizes measurable outcomes, sustainability, and system-level change, making it a significant opportunity for organizations committed to improving chronic disease outcomes in rural populations.

Focus on demonstrating measurable health outcomes strong data collection methods and ability to scale across multiple clinics while aligning with community health priorities