April 3, 2026

RHTP Updates

John Eich, Director of Wisconsin Office of Rural Health

Hello everyone. I hope the longer, sunnier days and new blossoms are bringing neighbors outside to reconnect and kick-start your plans for warmer weather! It’s time for another update on the progress of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

As of early April, WI-DHS is on track according to the proposed schedule to CMS. Almost all signed statements of work from the state agency “Implementation Partners” are in; this includes 16 state agencies and over 29 projects. Most have detailed work plans and are starting to implement. Some of the funding flows to other state agencies, like staging areas based on that agency’s expertise. For example, the Department of Workforce Development will oversee many of the workforce initiatives. Some of those agency implementation partners will fund community recipients directly, others will... continue reading.

Quality Corner

Photo by Tami Graf in Dodgeville.

Core MBQIP measures for CAHs:

Q4 2025 HCAHPS data due via HQR on April 8, 2026.

Q1 2025 Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC) due April 20, 2026.

• Submit via Qualtrics link in email from Megan Polster.

SHIP Grant

Questions about invoicing?

Pop into this open office hour to get your questions answered live with Samantha Peck and Megan Polster.

Friday, May 15, 11:00 a.m.

Invoicing tips

• Reference this Example SHIP Invoice for instructions on completing the invoice.
• The Purchase Order (P.O.) Number is found in the first line of your Funding Award Agreement with UW Madison and appears as #CON-0000xxxx.
• Email invoices for HCAHPS and other pre-approved expenses* directly to the UW's Research and Sponsored Programs team for reimbursement using the invoice template below.

*SHIP expenses

Hospitals that selected the direct funding option must use their funds for purchasing HCAHPS first. Any leftover funding can be used for other pre-approved expenses discussed with Samantha Peck.

Learn

Practical Workforce Solutions for Rural Hospitals and Clinics - free webinar

Monday, April 13, 1:00 p.m.

• Practical, financial, and operational solutions for the workforce challenges unique to rural healthcare providers.
• Session led by Wintergreen and Gingham Solutions; hosted and sponsored by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH).

Rural Oncology Conference - Rural Cancer Institute - CEUs available

Saturday, April 18, 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Conference will feature expert-led educational sessions, research presentations, and opportunities for collaboration focused on addressing disparities, advancing rural oncology research, and strengthening care delivery across rural settings.
• Location: Minneapolis, MN.
• Cost: $75.

Surgical Collaborative of Wisconsin's 2026 Annual Meeting - CMEs available

Saturday, May 16, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Join surgeons and quality leaders from across Wisconsin for a day of learning, discussion of challenging cases, and sharing innovative approaches to patient care.
• Location: Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells.
• Cost: Registration is FREE and includes all meals on Saturday.

CDC Rural Public Health Training - CEUs available

Free, online, self-paced

• Designed to help public health professionals address the challenges and opportunities of rural communities.
• Courses highlight the importance of strong leadership, clear communication, and building robust community partnerships.
• For more information, contact ruralhealth@cdc.gov.

Grants

Drug-Free Communities Support Program - CDC

• Amount: $125,000/year for five years.
• Application due date: April 14.
• Who can apply: Variety of organizations including government entities, Native American Tribal governments, for- and non-profit organizations, public school districts, etc. Applicants must meet additional criteria, such as a minimum six months working together on substance abuse issues, among others.
• Description: Funding to establish and strengthen community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth ages 18 and younger. 

Implementing Zero Suicide in Health Systems - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

• Amount: $400,000/year for up to five years.
• Application due date: April 20.
• Who can apply: Community-based primary care or behavioral healthcare settings, emergency departments, public health agencies. There is a separate grant for state agencies.
• Description: Grants to health systems to implement the Zero Suicide framework, a comprehensive, multi-setting approach to child and youth suicide prevention. 

NEW! Community Impact Grant - Wisconsin Partnership Program

• Amount: $250,000 for up to three years.
• Application due date: Letter of Intent (required) due April 22, full application due July 27 (if invited).
• Who can apply: Nonprofit tax-exempt organizations, nonprofit or public schools or districts, and Tribal, state or local government entities with annual expenses less than $1,000,000.
• Description: Grants for community partnership initiatives that address the social determinants of health to advance health equity.

Helping Hands Grant - American Psychiatric Association

• Amount: $5,000.
• Application due date: May 1.
• Who can apply: Medical schools on behalf of medical students.
• Description: Grants for community mental health and substance use disorder projects that are initiated and managed by medical students in partnership with community agencies or in conjunction with ongoing medical school outreach activities. 

NEW! General Grant Program - Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation

• Amount: $50,000 to $60,000.
• Application due date: May 12.
• Who can apply: Eligible organizations include but are not limited to nonprofit and for-profit organizations, healthcare facilities, academic institutions, and physician organizations. Preference given to applicants in communities that Coverys serves.
• Description: Funding for projects to improve patient care and safety, advance patient health outcomes, improve chronic disease management, or support healthcare professionals and organizations.

NEW! Community Grants - Alliant Energy

• Amount: Not stated but past grants range from $250 to $2,000.
• Application due date: Deadlines throughout the year, the next is May 15.
• Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations, charitable programs, and government entities in communities served by Alliant Energy.
• Description: Grants for programs that address hunger, housing, transportation, outdoor activities, and fund first responder equipment, among other areas.

Please contact Kevin Jacobson, WORH Loan Assistance Program Manager, for help identifying grant opportunities to support your important work or go to the WORH website.

Review

Rural Health Science Tip Sheets - CDC Office of Rural Health

• Resources designed for public health professionals and others working with data. 
• Tip sheets provide guidance and examples for selecting and applying rural-urban classification variables, accounting for demographic differences, and strengthening the rigor and relevance of rural data analyses. 

Photo Features

Send us your pictures of rural Wisconsin life to be featured in Rural Health Radar!

Email pictures to Megan and include a brief description, where the photo was taken, and the name of the photographer.

Barred Owl in Webster by Kristin Larson.

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