The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), through its Rural Health Transformation Office (RHTO), in partnership with Healthier Communities Together (HCT), is advancing approximately $11 million in Workforce Retention and Enablers funding to help rural healthcare organizations address persistent barriers to recruiting and retaining essential workers. A statewide informational webinar will be held on November 12, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m. CT, to introduce the opportunity and explain how providers and local partners can participate.
Across rural Missouri, access to care depends on clinicians and staff who serve their communities every day. This initiative is designed to put local needs at the center of workforce investments, helping providers overcome practical challenges that can make it difficult to attract skilled professionals, support existing teams, and sustain essential healthcare services.
Each of Missouri's 27 ToRCH Care Hubs will be allocated approximately $412,000 over two program years (contingent on CMS year 2 approval) to advance workforce priorities identified by local providers and community partners. Rather than prescribing a single statewide solution, the initiative gives each Hub the opportunity to direct resources toward the barriers that matter most in its communities, while addressing needs not already covered by other RHTP workforce programs.
Subject to final program guidance and federal requirements, eligible proposals may address five areas: housing assistance; training and retention; transportation; workplace organizational support; and innovative, locally designed workforce solutions. Potential examples range from helping new hires secure housing and supporting staff development to improving workforce well-being and piloting shared recruitment approaches. Certain individual benefits may require a five-year rural service commitment – more details will be shared in the Webinar and in the proposal guidance, once released.
Rural healthcare providers and community-based partners will help shape these investments by identifying workforce challenges and proposing solutions through their local Hub Program Coordinator. Hub Anchors will coordinate proposals, while Hub Leadership Boards will review and prioritize projects based on community needs, anticipated impact, and available funding.
As part of the proposal cycle, the following dates apply:
November 2 - November 22: Proposal window for providers to complete the template
November 23 - December 7: Leadership Boards review proposals, adjust as needed, and share back with the Hub Anchor and Program Coordinator
By December 7 (latest): Hub Anchor / Program Coordinator submits the single, Leadership Board-approved aggregated Hub proposal to HCT
December 7 - December 18: HCT reviews proposals; RHTO issues final approval; participation agreements are signed by HCT and providers (must be completed by the CMS December 31 deadline).
The November 12 webinar will explain eligible funding uses, the anticipated proposal process and timeline, key program requirements, and resources available to help organizations prepare. Rural hospitals, clinics, behavioral health organizations, EMS agencies, pharmacies, other healthcare providers, and community partners are encouraged to attend, along with ToRCH Care Hub Anchors and Program Coordinators. Time will be reserved for questions.
Providers interested in participating are encouraged to connect with their local Hub leadership board, program coordinator, and attend the webinar to learn more.
Registration for the November 12 webinar is online.
To learn more:
- Rural healthcare providers can connect with local Hub leadership boards to share their workforce needs and participate in their Hub’s proposal
- Visit Missouri's Rural Health Transformation Program website to learn more about the state’s broader health efforts
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The Rural Health Transformation Program information provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services 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 $216,276,817.66, 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.