The Delta Health Systems Implementation Program is a federal funding opportunity provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. This program aims to improve healthcare delivery in rural areas by implementing projects that enhance the financial sustainability of rural healthcare organizations and expand access to care in the Delta region. The program focuses on supporting rural healthcare organizations that have previously received technical assistance (TA) through the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program (DRCHSD) or similar programs. The funding helps these organizations implement specific projects recommended during their TA consultations, ensuring long-term financial stability and improved healthcare services.

The main objectives of this program include financial and operational improvements, quality improvement initiatives, expansion of telehealth services, and workforce recruitment and retention efforts. Awarded projects may include activities such as developing new service lines, optimizing emergency department operations, implementing revenue cycle best practices, enhancing cybersecurity, expanding telehealth services, and improving workforce training and retention. The program is part of a collaboration between HRSA and the Delta Regional Authority to strengthen healthcare delivery in rural counties and parishes across eight states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Eligible applicants must be located in a rural county or parish in the Delta region and fall under one of the eligible categories, which include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, state and local governments, independent school districts, and Native American tribal governments and organizations. The proposed project must be implemented within a rural healthcare organization such as a critical access hospital, small rural hospital, rural health clinic, or tribal healthcare facility. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

A total of two million dollars is expected to be available in fiscal year 2025, with up to five awards anticipated. Each award will provide up to four hundred thousand dollars for a two-year period, from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027. The funding is contingent on congressional appropriations and may be subject to change. There are no cost-sharing or matching fund requirements for this grant.

The application process requires applicants to submit a project narrative detailing the needs of the target population, the proposed approach, a high-level work plan, performance evaluation methods, and organizational capacity. Additional required documents include a budget narrative, proof of location in a rural Delta region county or parish, proof of previous technical assistance received, and letters of commitment from the organization's board of directors or CEO. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by March 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria, including need, proposed response, impact, resources and capabilities, and the level of support requested. The merit review panel will assess how well the proposal aligns with the program’s objectives and whether the applicant demonstrates a strong plan for sustaining project outcomes beyond the grant period. Award notifications are expected by August 1, 2025, with projects beginning on September 1, 2025. The program requires quarterly progress reports and annual performance evaluations to track the impact of funded activities.

For additional assistance, an informational webinar will be held on January 8, 2025. Questions about eligibility and the application process can be directed to HRSA contacts provided in the notice of funding opportunity.