Delta Region Community Health Systems Development (DRCHSD) Program

March 29, 2019

With the support of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Health Resources Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), The National Rural Health Resource Center is thrilled to inform you that hospitals located in DRA counties (see Missouri DRA Counties Map) are eligible to participate in the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development (DRCHSD) Program.

DRCHSD Program Purpose

The DRCHSD Program is designed to assist leaders with developing and implementing a local system of care by targeting the below 8 goals. Leaders should be ready, willing and able to undertake large projects that help hospitals to:

  1. Improve financial position and increase operational efficiencies
  2. Implement quality improvements that support an evidenced-based culture for improved health outcomes
  3. Increase use of telemedicine to fill service gaps and access to care
  4. Enhance coordination of care and develop a community care coordination plan
  5. Strengthen the local delivery system to position for population health
  6. Integrate social services to address socio-economic challenges
  7. Ensure access to and availability of Emergency Medical Services
  8. Address workforce recruitment and retention needs.

The below links provide more information about the program goals, and expectations, and outlines benefits of participation and see the FORHP’s DRCHSD Program Fact Sheet for additional information.

Program Overview                    Benefits of Participation

Participation Expectations          FY 2018 Distressed Counties and Parishes

FY 2018 Non-Distressed Counties and Parishes

  • Eligible hospitals include critical access hospitals (CAHs) and rural PPS hospitals located in the 252 counties and parishes of the DRA Region. Hospitals can apply anytime for the next / upcoming funding cycle. Applications remain on file and hospitals are considered for next / future openings.
  • The application review process begins upon submission of the application. Following the receipt of an application, a review call is scheduled with hospital leadership to obtain additional information. The interview reduces time and paper work for the hospital leadership, and provides an opportunity to ask questions.
  • All eligible hospitals are considered based on their need and congruence with the program services, as well as their commitment to fully participate in all phases of the program over multiple years. Hospitals must be willing, able and ready to undertake a large, comprehensive project and participate in a multi-phased program.
  • There is no application deadline however, Hospitals should submit applications sooner than later. The goal is to identify and select up to 10 communities by September to start the program in October 2019.  Hospitals can apply by submitting their Delta Region Community Health Systems Development – Application directly to Bethany Adams with the National Rural Health Resource Center at badams@ruralcenter.org; or by email to Brian Henson with the Delta Regional Authority at: bhenson@dra.gov, with the Subject Line: “Notice of Intent to Apply for Technical Assistance”.

For questions, please contact the National Rural Health Resource Center’s Bethany Adams, Program Director at (859)-806-2940; or Kate Stenehjem, Program Manager at (218) 216-7038.