The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) has selected Hub Anchor organizations to help lead implementation of Missouri’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) through its Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Care model. The selection of Hub Anchors marks a significant milestone in advancing Missouri’s vision for a more coordinated, community-driven rural healthcare system and represents the transition from program planning to regional implementation.
Missouri’s Rural Health Transformation Office received 41 Hub Anchor applications, representing all 27 ToRCH Care Community Hub Areas, from a variety of organizations, including hospitals, FQHCs, behavioral health organizations, local public health agencies, nonprofits, and universities. The strong response reflects broad engagement from organizations across Missouri committed to improving the health of their rural communities through collaboration and local leadership. Applications were evaluated through a competitive review process using standardized criteria that assessed organizational readiness, governance capacity, community partnerships, staffing plans, operational capabilities, and alignment with the goals of Missouri’s RHTP.
Following this competitive review process, one Hub Anchor organization was selected to serve each ToRCH Care Hub. Formal participation in the Rural Health Transformation Program as a Hub Anchor is subject to execution of a Hub Anchor Participation Agreement. The selected 27 organizations are expected to help lead implementation of the ToRCH Care model by convening local leadership, fostering collaboration across healthcare providers and community partners, and supporting sustainable approaches to improving health outcomes in rural Missouri.
As implementation moves forward, the ToRCH Care model is intended to create a more connected experience for rural Missourians by bringing healthcare providers and community organizations together to better coordinate care, connect individuals to local resources, and address the health challenges that matter most in each community.