Rht-Afa-04-28-2026-Msc3

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is initiated by the West Virginia Department of Health, which has been awarded approximately $200 million through the RHTP established under Section 17401 of Public Law 119-21. This funding aims to enhance the healthcare workforce supply in West Virginia, addressing significant rural health challenges such as workforce shortages and limited training pipelines. The program supports initiatives that align with state goals to improve health outcomes and economic growth in rural areas. Work Details The grantee will be responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing initiatives under the Mountain State Care Force (MSCF), focusing on expanding rural training capacity. Key components include: 1) Co-funding faculty positions at local colleges and technical programs to strengthen training infrastructure; 2) Expanding residency and fellowship capacity across priority disciplines (MD, DO, NP, PA, Pharmacy) by adding new training slots; 3) Supporting sustained placement of clinicians in rural areas. The total funding available for these initiatives is $5 million, allocated as follows: $1.2 million for co-funding faculty positions and $3.8 million for new residency and fellowship slots. Period of Performance The funding period extends through July 31, 2027, with all awarded funds needing to be expended by this date. Place of Performance All counties in West Virginia will be prioritized based on their Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scores. Bidder Requirements Eligible applicants include public or private universities, nonprofit workforce development organizations, healthcare systems or consortia, public-private partnerships, national workforce/apprenticeship operators, and consortia among these entities. Applicants must demonstrate experience in operating accredited residency programs or faculty recruitment in West Virginia.