LPHA INFO HUB
The LPHA Hub is not searchable on the web and is only intended for use by staff of DHSS and local public health agencies. However, anyone with a direct link is able to gain access. We encourage you to avoid sharing LPHA Hub links with anyone outside of DHSS or LPHAs. If information is needed for external users, please download and send the file, or copy/paste and provide separately. Thank you.
Missouri's Rural Health Transformation Project (RHTP)
► Women's Health Expansion: DSS announces funding and partnership with DHSS Office of Women's Health and the Missouri Doula Association to expand rural maternal healthcare through increasing the number of trained Doulas and Community Health Workers in Missouri. (link) NEW!
► Hub Anchors Announced: DSS announces selection of Hub Anchor Organizations to advance rural health transformation. (link) (Hub Anchor list) NEW!
► Home Visiting Services: Rural Health Transformation Program Expands Investment in Home Visiting Services (press release), 7/2/2026
► Digital Backbone: Missouri is investigating in a Digital Backbone — a technology and data foundation that will help connect rural providers, systems, and community services to enable coordinated, data-driven care. Attend an in-person or virtual session to learn what the Digital Backbone is, why it matters for your organization, and how Missouri will support sustainable modernization across rural settings. Register
-
July 13, 2026, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm, Lake Regional Hospital, 54 Hospital Drive, Osage Beach, MO 65065
July 14, 2026, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Franklin County Community Resource Board, Old Library Room, 500 Clark Avenue, Union, MO 63084
► ToRCH Road Shows: DSS launches ToRCH Care Roadshows to connect directly with communities in rural Missouri. (recordings)
► ToRCH Care Webinar for LPHAs: This session introduced the ToRCH Care model, outlined opportunities for organizations to participate, and previewed upcoming leadership roles within the RHTP in Missouri. (recording)
► RHTP website, MO DSS
► ToRCH Care Hub Boundaries Map
► ToRCH Care Hub Onboarding & Operations Procedures Manual (link)
► ToRCH Care FAQ (link)
► ToRCH Regional Coordinating Networks (RCN) Map (link)
► RHTP Funding Timeline
► RHTP Procurement Activities Timeline
► Missouri RHTP Federal Application
► RHTP Overview (ppt), Daniel Bogle, DHSS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How does Missouri define "rural" counties?
A: Missouri defines rural counties as:
-
fewer than 150 people per square mile
-
county lacks at least 10% of a central city within an MSA
Q: How many of Missouri's counties are considered "rural"?
A: Missouri has 99 counties that are classified as “rural.” These include all of Missouri's counties except: St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, Cape Girardeau, Boone, Cole, Greene, Christian, Jasper, Newton, Cass, Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Buchanan.
Q: Which counties in Missouri will be eligible to participate in the RHTP?
A: Five non-rural counties were classified as “rural adjacent” for the purposes of the RHTP and will therefore be included in the community hubs defined in Missouri's RHTP application. These counties include Buchanan, Cape Girardeau, Christian, Jasper, and Newton.
This means every county except the following will be eligible to participate in the Community Hubs portion of the RHTP work in Missouri.
-
St. Louis County
-
City of St. Louis
-
St. Charles County
-
Jefferson County
-
Boone County
-
Cole County
-
Greene County
-
Cass County
-
Jackson County
-
Clay County
-
Platte County
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.