Rural health network development planning grant program - public health council of the upper valley, one court ST, #365, lebanon, NH, 03766 type: non-profit organization / public health coalition,…

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration awarded the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley $100,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant program (CFDA 93.912) to formalize and catalyze an integrated oral health care network serving uninsured and underinsured residents in the Upper Valley region.

During the 12-month performance period ending June 30, 2027, the recipient will develop an Oral Health Care Network with capacity for effective communication, relationship building, planning, and assessment among participating organizations; create a common agenda and strategic implementation plan for coordinated service delivery; and position the network to implement mutually reinforcing activities. The network encompasses Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, Little Rivers Health Care, and Good Neighbor Health Clinic as collaborative partners working to expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of basic oral health care services in Grafton and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire and Windsor and Orange Counties, Vermont. The planning grant addresses an identified need for improved access to oral health care at the state and community levels in both states and targets vulnerable populations currently lacking access to quality dental services.

Rural health network development planning grant program - public health council of the upper valley, one court ST, #365, lebanon, NH, 03766 type: non-profit organization / public health coalition, WWW.uvpublichealth.ORG service region: grafton/sullivan counties, NH; windsor/orange counties, VT network name: oral health care network the purpose of this project is to formalize and catalyze a rural integrated health network poised to remove identified barriers, and expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of basic oral health care services for underserved communities in the upper valley region of new hampshire and vermont. This network will serve the most vulnerable community members in the upper valley who are uninsured or underinsured and lacking access to quality oral health care. The project will support legislative aim #2: expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of basic health care services and associated health outcomes. There is an identified need for improved access to oral health care at the state and community levels in both NH and VT. Network partners (alice peck day memorial hospital, little rivers health care, and good neighbor health clinic) are deeply involved in closing gaps for vulnerable populations, and there is an opportunity to weave those efforts together and catalyze the integration of an oral health care delivery network through this planning grant. Our project goal is to expand access to oral health care for upper valley community members who are uninsured and underinsured. During the 12 month planning period, we will 1) develop an oral health care network with the capacity and ability to ensure effective communication, relationship building, planning and assessment, 2) develop a common agenda and strategic plan for implementation of network services, and 3) position the network to implement mutually reinforcing activities. These planning steps will allow the network to consider alternative oral health care delivery models and access points that integrate dental care into community based settings and are accessible to the target population. This planning project will result in the following outcomes: 1. A rural health care system that has been strengthened by fostering partnerships among diverse health care entities. 2. Enhanced local capacity to improve rural community health interventions and coordinate care effectively. Ultimately, this project will positively impact community members, as integrated services will lead to an increased number of people who have access to quality oral health care. This project qualifies for two funding preferences: the project focuses on primary care and wellness and prevention strategies (funding preference qualification 3) and is in a medically underserved community (funding preference qualification 2).