Rural network and direct services technical assistance program - the georgia health policy center rural community health technical assistance program (ghpc RCH TA) will deliver comprehensive,…

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, through its Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, awarded Georgia State University $4.2 million on September 1, 2026, to deliver the Rural Network and Direct Services Technical Assistance Program under CFDA 93.912 (Rural Healthcare Services Programs). The award funds the Georgia Health Policy Center Rural Community Health Technical Assistance Program (GHPC RCH TA), which will provide comprehensive, evidence-informed technical assistance to rural community-based organizations, providers, networks, tribal organizations, and other rural stakeholders to strengthen capacity and improve health care access, service delivery, and health outcomes across rural United States communities.

Core services include tailored one-on-one technical assistance; structured training and learning opportunities such as webinars and learning collaboratives; peer-to-peer learning; site visits; and development and dissemination of practical tools and resources. Technical assistance will support leadership development, organizational capacity building, program implementation, partnership development, data-informed decision-making, and sustainability planning. The program serves current and future recipients of FORHP programs and addresses rural health challenges including limited access to health care services, workforce shortages, economic hardship, higher poverty rates, lower educational attainment, lower rates of employer-sponsored health insurance, higher chronic disease and obesity rates, and larger proportions of older adults compared with urban populations.

Performance occurs in Atlanta, Georgia, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029.

Rural network and direct services technical assistance program - the georgia health policy center rural community health technical assistance program (ghpc RCH TA) will deliver comprehensive, nationally available evidence-informed technical assistance through team of rural health experts to support the goals of the rural community health support program (r-chsp). The program strengthens the capacity of rural community-based organizations (cbos), providers, networks, tribal organizations, and other rural stakeholders to improve health care access, service delivery, and health outcomes in rural communities across the united states. Rural communities experience unique challenges impacting health, often characterized by limited access to health care services, workforce shortages, economic challenges, and adverse drivers of health. Compared with urban populations, rural residents experience higher rates of poverty, lower educational attainment, lower rates of employer-sponsored health insurance, higher rates of chronic disease and obesity, and larger proportions of older adults. These challenges require tailored capacity-building strategies that strengthen organizational effectiveness, foster cross-sector collaboration, and support the implementation of evidence-based practices. In response, ghpc will provide tailored technical assistance aligned with recipient needs, readiness, and program goals. Core services include tailored one-on-one technical assistance; structured training and learning opportunities such as webinars and learning collaboratives; peer-to-peer learning; site visits; and development and dissemination of practical tools and resources. Technical assistance will support leadership development, organizational capacity building, program implementation, partnership development, data-informed decision-making, and sustainability planning, among other outcomes. The program serves current and future recipients of federal office of rural health policy (forhp) community-based funding, including cbos, health care providers, rural networks, tribal organizations, faith-based organizations, small businesses, and governmental entities, with particular emphasis on reaching underfunded organizations and those with varying levels of experience managing federal funding. Ghpc's approach is informed by 24 years of experience providing technical assistance to rural stakeholders and is grounded in continuous assessment, collaboration with federal partners, and adaptation to local context. By delivering responsive and coordinated support, the program will strengthen organizational and network capacity, enhance service delivery, promote adoption of effective practices, and advance r-chsp goals of improving access to care, strengthening care delivery, improving health outcomes, and supporting sustainable community impact.