Hometown Connections:
School-Based Services

This initiative focuses on expanding access to medical, behavioral/mental, and dental health services in rural Iowa by delivering care directly within school settings. It brings together diverse providers through partnerships to offer coordinated, school-based care, with the goal of improving whole-person health outcomes, particularly for youth. The initiative is designed to support locally driven partnerships that respond to community needs by developing solutions that improve access to care based on their unique context.

Eligibility requirements and expectations for applicants will be clearly outlined in the forthcoming RFP. In general, the school-based services initiative is designed to support a wide range of organizations, including healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and social service agencies, that come together as part of a collaborative, community-based partnership with schools as the site of service. Organizations are encouraged to consider how they can partner with others to address local needs and improve access to care within their communities.

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.

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.

Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.

Yes, schools and other education entities are also eligible to apply for the Communities of Care Co-Location RFP through Healthy Hometowns. Click here for more information on the Communities of Care Co-Location initiative.

Partnerships will be determined locally. Applicants are encouraged to engage a wide range of partners, including education institutions and other community stakeholders, to determine who should be involved in delivering services. Communities should consider who needs to be at the table to effectively meet local needs.

School-based services are aligned with EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) Medicaid requirements, which cover individuals ages 0–21, allowing for flexibility across a range of educational settings serving that population.

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 school-based 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 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 please visit the Iowa PCA website.