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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)

►  Child Care Support: DSS in partnership with the Children’s Trust Fund, awards $1.46 million through the RHTP to Kids Win Missouri to expand its Child Care Works program, which helps working families cover costs for high-quality childcare. (link)

► Midwife Training: In a partnership between DHSS, DSS, and the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing, Missouri launches a midwife training program to expand rural maternal care. (link)

► 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) 

► Home Visiting Services: Rural Health Transformation Program Expands Investment in Home Visiting Services (press release)

► 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

►  July 2026 Newsletter

► ToRCH Care Hub Boundaries Map

► ToRCH Hub Anchors

► 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

► LPHA Update Call discussing RHTP, 12/16/2025 (recording)

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.

© 2024 by Ozarks Public Health Institute in partnership with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

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