Lakeshore Food Club, West Shore Community College, United Way of the West Shore and District Health Department No. 10 are listed for nearly $4.7 million in rural health funding aimed at improving access to care, training health workers and connecting residents with services.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services lists the organizations among recipients of its Rural Health Transformation Program in award notices current as of Oct. 1.
The amounts remain subject to final approval by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The state cautions that federal review could result in changes to project budgets and work plans.
Lakeshore Food Club and District Health Department No. 10 are each listed for $1 million through the Improving Care Delivery and Access through Transportation fund.
That funding is intended to help rural residents reach health care and healthy lifestyle resources where transportation options are limited. According to the state’s July announcement seeking applications, the program supports both improving transportation and bringing services closer to where people live and work.
The award period identified in that announcement runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.
West Shore Community College is listed for $345,000 through the Rural Health Workforce Pipeline and Education Fund. The state’s program description identifies the college as a partner in community paramedic training and retention, supporting professional development and preparing providers to deliver services in rural and underserved communities.
United Way of the West Shore is listed for $333,333 through the Collaborative Care Integration and Sustainability Fund. Its work covers Mason and Manistee counties, according to the state’s initiative descriptions.
Participating United Ways will coordinate partnerships connecting residents with health care, behavioral health services, social services and other community resources. The work includes outreach, referrals and helping residents find and follow through with services.
District Health Department No. 10 also appears on the state list for three additional awards, bringing its combined amount to nearly $3 million.
Those include $1,663,636 through the Rural Access and Connectivity Fund, $250,000 for Lake County mobile health through the collaborative care fund, and another $83,333 through that same fund.
The state identifies the health department as a partner in adding community health workers to school-based health teams. Those teams will provide health education, screening, referrals and follow-up for children and adolescents.
The Lake County mobile health project is listed among efforts to support prevention, chronic disease programs, education and coordination between health care and community services.
The awards are part of a broader federal investment in rural health. Michigan received a $173.1 million allocation for fiscal year 2026, announced by the state Dec. 30, 2025.
The national Rural Health Transformation Program makes $50 billion available over five years, with $10 billion allocated annually from 2026 through 2030.
Michigan’s plan includes strengthening partnerships among hospitals, clinics and community organizations; recruiting and retaining health professionals; expanding technology used to coordinate care; and developing referral networks that connect residents with local services.
Before submitting its application, the state gathered input through a survey and two listening sessions on the needs of rural providers and communities.