Communities of Care Co-Location

The Communities of Care Co-Location initiative is part of Iowa’s Rural Health Transformation efforts focused on improving access to coordinated community-based care in rural areas. The initiative supports partnerships that bring together multiple provider types to deliver integrated services at a shared site. Key goals include expanding access to care in rural communities, strengthening coordination across clinical and community-based services, improving health outcomes through team-based, person-centered care, and building sustainable, community-driven models of integrated service delivery.

Full eligibility criteria will be outlined in the official RFP. In general, this initiative is designed for partnerships of multiple organizations working together to deliver coordinated services in a rural community.

Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and social service agencies committed to developing or strengthening a collaborative, co-located care model.

 Models must include at least three distinct provider types working together at a single rural site. These may include healthcare providers (such as primary care, behavioral health, or hospitals), along with community-based and social service organizations. Telehealth may also be leveraged to strengthen connections between the rural site and regional health systems, expanding access to services that may not be available on-site.

The site of service must be located in a rural area, as defined by HRSA. HRSA defines the following areas as rural:

• Non-metropolitan counties

• Outlying metropolitan counties with no population from an urban area of 50,000 or more people

• Census tracts with RUCA codes 4-10 in metropolitan counties

• Census tracts of at least 400 square miles in area with population density of 35 or fewer people per square mile with RUCA codes 2-3 in metropolitan counties

• Census tracts with RRS 5 and RUCA codes 2-3 that are at least 20 square miles in area in metropolitan counties.

Applicants should use the HRSA Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer to determine whether their service location qualifies.

In the Communities of Care initiative, co-location refers to multiple organizations working together at a shared site to deliver coordinated services. Co-location goes beyond simply sharing space. Partners are expected to actively collaborate, align workflows, and coordinate integrated care to improve access and outcomes. This may include integrating clinical, behavioral health, and social service supports, with a focus on providing person-centered, coordinated care within a single, accessible location.

The RFP is anticipated to open in July 2026, followed by a Q&A period through July and August. Proposals are due in September, with awards expected in October–November and project implementation beginning in November 2026. Organizations are encouraged to monitor Iowa Grants for official updates.

In parallel with the application process, technical assistance opportunities provided by the Iowa PCA will begin in June 2026 and continue throughout the application period to support communities in preparing strong, competitive proposals.

Organizations interested in receiving updates about the RFP and other Healthy Hometowns opportunities should sign up for the Healthy Hometowns listserv and monitor Iowa Grants.

Technical assistance will be offered through open, public sessions (both in-person and virtual) that are available to all participants. Individualized technical assistance is not available at this time.

‍ For a full list of Technical Assistance opportunities visit the Iowa PCA website.

Details on funding allowances and parameters will be provided in the RFP. At a high level, the Rural Health Transformation Program is focused on building community capacity, strengthening partnership infrastructure, and improving access to care. Full details will be available in the official RFP. Please review the RFP upon release for the most current information.

Organizations interested in receiving updates about the RFP and other Healthy Hometowns opportunities should sign up for the Healthy Hometowns listserv and monitor Iowa Grants.

Organizations can begin preparing by participating in available technical assistance, engaging potential partners, and assessing their readiness to implement a co-location service model. Early planning should focus on identifying community needs, exploring partnership opportunities, and developing a clear approach that aligns with local priorities while strengthening a future application.

‍ Technical assistance opportunities (both in-person and virtual) begin June 2026 and continue throughout the application period to support communities in preparing strong, competitive proposals. For a full list of Technical Assistance opportunities visit the Iowa PCA website.

Staffing for care coordination is determined locally based on community needs, available workforce, and existing partnerships. In many models, coordination responsibilities are shared across a cross-functional, team-based care model that includes both clinical and non-clinical staff.

‍Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a key role in supporting care coordination by helping individuals access services, navigate systems, and connect with community-based supports. They serve as a bridge between clinical care and community resources, improving access and strengthening trust within the communities served.

‍As part of Communities of Care model design, applicants are expected to incorporate CHWs or similar roles into their approach. Organizations may consider how existing staff can be trained or how CHWs can be integrated into partnership structures to support coordinated, person-centered care. Learn more about Community Health Workers through Iowa HHS: https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/providers-professionals/rural-health/community-health-workers.

Telehealth can support Communities of Care models by expanding access to clinical, behavioral health, and care coordination services, especially in rural areas. It should be used to complement, not replace, in-person, co-located services.
 

Organizations should consider patient access, workflows, technology needs, and alignment with current payer requirements when implementing telehealth.escription

Full details will be available in the official RFP. Organizations interested in receiving updates about the RFP and other Healthy Hometowns opportunities should sign up for the Healthy Hometowns listserv and monitor Iowa Grants.

Guidance on governance structures and partnership expectations will be provided through technical assistance and supporting resources. While there is no single required governance model, partnerships are expected to establish clear structures for decision-making, coordination, and accountability.

Organizations should also ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including those related to patient privacy (e.g., HIPAA), data sharing, and service delivery. Additional details will be outlined in the RFP and supporting materials.