The West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC), on behalf of the Southside Regional Collaborative, announces the opening of a Request for Applications (RFA) to distribute $11.8 million in funding as part of the Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program. This funding is dedicated to the Mobile & Hybrid Care sub-initiative, known as the “Connected Care, Closer to Home” initiative, and aims to enhance healthcare delivery in rural Southside Virginia.
The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program is a five-year, $50 billion federal effort to strengthen healthcare access, delivery, and outcomes in rural communities across the country. Virginia was awarded $189.5 million in the first year to advance a comprehensive, community-driven strategy to improve rural health. States will receive new federal awards over five years as part of this program.
Virginia’s RHT Program is supported by Key Implementation Partners, who will lead and manage multiple sub-initiatives in collaboration with state agencies, providers, and community organizations. The Southside Regional Collaborative, managed by WPPDC, will competitively award grants to eligible organizations to develop and deploy mobile and hybrid care models that serve eligible rural residents within the RFA’s target rural counties.
“Rural communities deserve great healthcare close to home,” said Michael Armbrister, Executive Director of the West Piedmont Planning District Commission. “By teaming up with partners like the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program, we’re making real progress to bring better care to Southside Virginia. We look forward to awarding at least five projects that will make a difference for our rural neighbors.”
Eligible approaches include, but are not limited to, mobile care units, telehealth kiosks, clinics in a box, electronic consultations, and the development of rural care centers to operate as “hubs” in hub-and-spoke models. Technology enablers—such as provider-to-provider e-consults for specialty care—are also supported. Services funded under this initiative may include but are not limited to, primary care, specialty care, behavioral health and substance use disorder services, dental and vision care, screenings, diagnostics, preventive care, and specialty care.
This RFA seeks applications for projects that establish, expand, or deploy sustainable mobile and hybrid care models to improve healthcare access for eligible rural residents. Applicants may be based in a qualifying rural area or demonstrate that their proposed project will directly benefit eligible rural residents. The physical location of an applicant’s headquarters, healthcare facility, or project partner does not solely determine eligibility.
Projects must target impact on residents within the following eligible counties, as defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: Franklin, Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Mecklenburg, Halifax, Brunswick, Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway, Prince Edward, Charles City, Greensville, Surry, Sussex, Appomattox, and New Kent, as well as the cities of Danville, Martinsville, and Emporia.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit and governmental organizations, health systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations. The RFA was issued on October 23, 2026, and is available at https://westpiedmontpdc.org/rural-health-transformation-fund/. Completed applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Monday, November 23, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by Friday, January 8, 2027. Applications will be evaluated based on their potential community impact, the quality of the proposed approach, and the ability to reach rural residents.
Federal Funding Acknowledgement
This release is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $189,544,888.14 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
About the West Piedmont Planning District Commission
The West Piedmont Planning District is a regional planning organization serving the counties of Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Pittsylvania; the cities of Danville and Martinsville; and the Town of Rocky Mount. The WPPDC seeks to carry out its mission by facilitating regional thinking and dialogue among the district’s local government, K-12 and higher educational institutions, economic development organizations, workforce development, and other key stakeholders. Learn more at westpiedmontpdc.org