Immediate Impact Awards (IIA) are non-competitive funding opportunities designed to support projects that address urgent and high-priority needs in rural communities.
Immediate Impact Award Wave 1 Projects
This document offers high-level summaries of Oregon's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Wave 1 Immediate Impact Award projects. Oregon's first round of Immediate Impact Awards invests in high-impact, community-driven solutions to address urgent healthcare needs in rural and underserved communities. These projects expand access to care, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and improve health outcomes across the state. OHA continues to work with the partners named below to refine amounts and activities based on state and developing federal (CMS) guidance and approvals. The amounts below are first year estimates based on award amounts provided to organizations in their Notice of Intent to Award; all estimated awarded amounts are tentative, subject to budget negotiations, and contingent upon final agreement execution.
Connected Care for Older Adults – Columbia Gorge Health Council
(Healthy Communities Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $618,000
Helping rural seniors stay healthy, independent, and safely in their homes
This project addresses a critical gap in care for older adults in rural communities who are not currently receiving in-home support. Through a clinic-based community health worker model, individuals will receive in-home visits and coordinated care focused on maintaining independence and preventing avoidable health crises. Funding supports workforce capacity and service delivery. This work is expected to improve health outcomes, reduce strain on emergency services, and help older adults remain safely in their homes.
Naloxone Access Expansion – Alano Club, Comagine Health, Tabor North
(Healthy Communities Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $1,113,000
Expanding life-saving overdose response tools in communities that need them most
Rural communities across Oregon continue to face high rates of opioid overdose and limited access to life-saving interventions. This project expands naloxone distribution through community-based networks to ensure the medication is available where it is most needed. Funding supports procurement, distribution infrastructure, and outreach efforts. This work is expected to reduce overdose deaths and strengthen local capacity to respond to opioid-related emergencies.
Chronic Disease Management Training – Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN), Oregon Community Health Workers' Association (ORCHWA), Familia's en Acción, and Oregon Wellness Network (OWN)
(Healthy Communities Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $363,000
Strengthening community-based care to better manage chronic illness in rural Oregon
Chronic disease disproportionately impacts rural communities, where access to ongoing care and support is often limited. This project provides training for community health workers and caregivers to better manage conditions for themselves and their families, such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and other chronic illnesses. Funding supports training development and delivery. This work is expected to improve long-term health outcomes and reduce preventable complications through stronger community-based care.
Advancement of Rural Provider Education – Oregon ECHO Network (ORPRN)
(Workforce Capacity & Resilience Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $159,000
Equipping providers with tools to identify and respond to trauma early
To address workforce capacity and resilience challenges, ORPRN will use the ECHO model to deliver remote education and peer learning opportunities for providers across Oregon. The first year will include an ECHO providing training on trauma-informed care, particularly related to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Pending additional CMS funding, additional ECHO's could include, but are not limited to, integrating nutrition into primary care, cardiometabolic (diabetes, renal), palliative care, promoting independence in older adults, and ICU best practices.
Brain Health and Dementia Initiative – Portland State University
(Healthy Communities Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $107,000
Improving access to dementia support and brain health resources statewide
As rural populations age, communities face growing challenges related to dementia and cognitive decline, often without adequate resources or support systems. This project creates a centralized, accessible hub for brain health promotion and dementia care resources. Funding supports development of tools and statewide access. This work is expected to improve awareness, early detection, and care coordination for individuals and families navigating cognitive decline.
School Nursing Access Pilot – Oregon School Nurses Association & Regional ESDs
(Healthy Communities Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1- $403,000 – $778,000
Bringing critical healthcare services directly into rural schools
Many rural schools lack consistent access to nursing services, leaving students without timely care for both physical and behavioral health needs. This project expands school nursing capacity through partnerships with up to 3 Education School Districts (ESDs) across multiple regions, ensuring students can access care directly in school settings. Funding supports staffing, needs assessments, and nursing model design and implementation. This work is expected to improve student health outcomes, reduce barriers to care, and support better attendance and learning.
Mobile Obstetrics Simulation Unit – Oregon Perinatal Collaborative
(Workforce Capacity & Resilience Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $610,000
Strengthening maternal care through hands-on training for rural providers
Rural providers often have limited access to hands-on training for obstetric emergencies, which can impact maternal and infant outcomes. This project brings a mobile simulation unit directly to rural communities, allowing providers to train in real-world scenarios. Funding supports equipment, travel, and training delivery. This work is expected to improve provider readiness and enhance the safety of maternal care in rural settings.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Simulation Training – Healthcare Safety Solutions
(Workforce Capacity & Resilience Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $502,000
Improving emergency response outcomes in high-risk, time-sensitive situations
Emergency medical providers in rural areas must respond to complex situations with limited resources and fewer training opportunities. This project delivers simulation-based training to strengthen emergency response skills and collaboration between hospitals, EMS systems, and other community partners. Funding supports training design and delivery. This work is expected to improve patient outcomes during emergencies by enhancing provider confidence and clinical decision-making.
24/7 Obstetric Addiction Advice Line – Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
(Workforce Capacity & Resilience Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $398,000
Expanding access to expert care for pregnant individuals with substance use disorders
Providers in rural and underserved areas often lack access to specialized expertise when caring for pregnant individuals with substance use disorders. This project establishes a 24/7 advice line connecting clinicians to experts in obstetric and addiction care. Funding supports staffing and operations. This work is expected to expand access to expert guidance and improve outcomes for both parents and infants.
School-Based Mental Health & Substance Use Early Intervention – Regional Partners
(Healthy Communities Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $102,000 - $194,000
Delivering early intervention services directly where students are
Youth in rural communities often face barriers to accessing mental health and substance use services. This project integrates early intervention services directly into school settings through partnerships with up to 3 regional partners across multiple counties. Funding supports program implementation and coordination. This work is expected to improve early identification of needs, increased access to care, and support healthier outcomes for students.
Nurse Home Visiting Expansion – Family Connects Oregon
(Healthy Communities Initiative)
Current Award Estimate for Year 1 - $631,000
Supporting families early to improve lifelong health outcomes
Access to early postpartum support is often limited for families in rural communities, despite its critical importance for both parent and infant health. This project expands the Family Connects model, Oregon's universally offered public health nurse home visiting program across multiple counties. Funding supports program expansion and service delivery. This work is expected to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and strengthen early family support systems.
Medical Assistant Workforce Pathway – Northwest Regional ESD, Clatsop Community College, Providence Seaside Hospital, Seaside School District
(Workforce Capacity & Resilience Initiative)
Current Award Estimate Year 1 - $186,000
Building a sustainable rural healthcare workforce from within the community
Rural communities across Oregon face ongoing healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in entry-level clinical roles. This project creates a career pathway for high school students to become medical assistants through partnerships with local education and healthcare organizations. Funding supports training and program development. This work is expected to build a sustainable local workforce and improve access to care.
Immediate Impact Award Wave 2 Recipients
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is pleased to share a list of organizations selected to receive Wave 2 Immediate Impact Awards.
These projects represent an important step forward in advancing rural health across Oregon, supporting efforts related to access, workforce, community partnerships, and system transformation.
Please note:
Selection for funding is contingent upon successful completion of award agreements. Additional details, including project implementation timelines and funding specifics, will be shared as agreements are finalized.
Selected Projects
- Healthy Families Expansion – The Next Door, Inc.
- State Plan for Every Child Belongs for the Department of Early Learning & Care (DELC)– Comagine Health
- System of Care Transformation Regional Convenings - System of Care Advisory Council (SOCAC)
- Family Network Expansion – Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities (ODHS)
- EMS Overdose Reversal Pilot – Mercy Flights
- School Mental Health Expansion -Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness, Klamath Basin Behavioral Health, Trillium Family Services
- Veggie Rx Expansion – Oregon Food Security Network
- Senior Meal Expansion Program – Area Agencies on Aging
- School-Based Health Center Planning Grants - Oregon School Based Health Center Association & Adolescent Health (PHD)
- Transportation Infrastructure – Oregon Department of Transportation
- Mobile Vision Care – OHSU Casey Eye Institute
- Mobile Dental Care – Medical Teams International
- Nurture Oregon Site Expansions - Oasis Clinic of the Valley, ReConnections, BestCare, Oregon Washington Health Network
- Nurture Oregon Workforce Supports – Comagine Health
- Infant Mental Health Training – Oregon Infant Mental Health Association
- Healthcare Preceptor Incentives – Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center (NEOAHEC)
- Family Medicine Residency – Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
- K–12 Health Career Pathways – Oregon Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
- PRIME+ Training and Support for Peer Support Specialists – Comagine Health
- Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) Local Anesthesia Dental Workforce Expansion – Siskiyou Community Health Center
- Custody to Counseling Pipeline: CADC Training at Snake River Correctional Institution - Lines for Life