January 9, 2026

Snowy day outside Baldwin, WI. Photo by Suzanne Wynveen.

Upcoming SHIP Grant Timeline

ASAP

• Sign SHIP Agreements for current year 2025-26.

Tuesday, January 20

• Deadline to receive pre-approval from Samantha Peck for expenses other than HCAHPS or network expenses for 2026-27.

Friday, January 23

• Application for SHIP 2026-27 due via Qualtrics form sent through separate email directly to SHIP contacts.

New! SHIP 2026-27 Information now on website:

• Informational Webinar Recording.
• Investment options.
• Eligibility and reporting requirements.

SHIP Expenses Reminder

Hospitals that selected the direct funding option for 2025-26 must use their funds for purchasing HCAHPS first. Any leftover funding can be used for other approved expenses that must be approved by Samantha Peck in writing.

Flex Grant Opportunities

Direct-to-Hospital Grants - Apply by January 16!

• Wisconsin received Federal workplan approval for additional Flex funding this year, and we want to pass that funding directly to Critical Access Hospitals!
• These Direct-to-Hospital Grants will be for:
• HCAHPS Improvement and Engagement
• EDTC Improvement
• Finance Improvement 

Antimicrobial Stewardship Program

• Critical Access Hospitals are invited to participate in a Flex-funded Antimicrobial Stewardship Program designed to support data-driven quality improvement.
• Using the program’s interactive dashboard, hospitals can efficiently review prescribing data, identify trends, and pinpoint opportunities to strengthen antimicrobial practices.
• Watch the webinar recording for a full demonstration of the platform and information about the program.
• Email Samantha Peck and Andrea Fraser to express interest in the program.

Quality Corner

Q4 2025 Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC) due February 2, 2026.

• Did you receive an email with a Qualtrics link on 1/7? If not, please contact Megan Polster.
• MBQIP measure for CAHs.

Learn

New! Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator - American Heart Association

• Access to no-cost rural quality programming through June 2028.
• Measure compliance of evidence-based guidelines, benchmark with peers, and improve on quality of patient care, while simultaneously bringing up-to-date information to inform healthcare guidelines.

Health Profession Scholarships & Loan Assistance Programs - webinar series

• Discover scholarships and loan assistance programs that can help your career as a current or future health professional.
• Learn about: National Health Service Corps, Health Professions Loan Assistance Program, Rural Provider Loan Assistance Program
• Choose from three free webinar offerings: January 23, February 18, or March 20, 2026.

American Hospital Association Next Generation Leaders Fellowship

• A fellowship program designed to empower healthcare leaders to bring about lasting change in the hospital and health systems in which they serve. Rural applicants are encouraged.
• Application Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Farmers' Mental Health: Supporting and Understanding Farm Culture and Farm Family Dynamics

• A self-paced, online training course designed to help behavioral health providers better understand and address the mental health needs and challenges of farmers and their family members.
• Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
• Sponsor: University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, Behavioral Health Training Partnership, Wisconsin Farm Center.

Rural Emergency Communications Operational Rapid Assistance Package

• Technical assistance program for rural communities to enhance existing emergency communications infrastructure to improve the delivery of rural emergency services.

Grants

CATCH Planning and Implementation Grants - American Academy of Pediatrics

• Amount: $10,000.
• Application due date: January 20.
• Who can apply: Community organizations led by a pediatrician or pediatric subspecialist, working on initiatives that increase children’s access to optimal health or well-being are eligible to apply.
• Description: AAP will award planning and implementation grants to organizations to build broad-based community partnerships to address unmet child health needs.

New! Outpace CVD - American Heart Association

• Amount: up to $2,000.
• Application due date: January 30.
• Who can apply: Health systems, Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, free clinics, and more.
• Description: Initiative focuses on supporting outpatient care sites in their management of chronic disease to prevent future cardiovascular disease and events.

Rural Scholarships - National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation

• Amount: $8,000 scholarships.
• Application due date: January 31.
• Who can apply: Students residing in rural areas who are currently enrolled in a master's level counseling program.
• Description: Scholarships are intended to increase the number of counselors serving people in rural areas. Students must commit to practicing in a rural community and have a graduation date between June 30, 2027 and December 31, 2029.

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.

Pictured: Lafayette County Health Officer, Julie Leibfried, and Public Health Nurse, Danielle Steger, at the halfway mark of the Lafayette County Health Dept Halloween Hustle. Photo by Jan Hendrickson.

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