Lafayette, Ind. – September 19, 2026 -- Valley Oaks Health has secured $828,375 through the Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being (GROW) Region 3 Grant to expand integrated healthcare access across rural northwest central Indiana.
Funding stems from a $206.9 million federal transformation program
The award is part of the Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program (Indiana RHTP), a statewide initiative fully funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under a financial assistance award totaling $206,927,896.80. CMS/HHS covers 100 percent of the program, which spans five years and targets healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and regional collaboration.
New primary care sites planned for Attica and Monticello in 2027
Valley Oaks Health, a nonprofit serving ten Indiana counties, will direct the funds toward expanding Primary Care access points in Attica, IN and Monticello, IN during the first half of calendar year 2027, with additional expansion slated for the following year. The organization currently delivers behavioral health, primary care, addiction treatment, crisis intervention, and care coordination services across the region.
Workforce shortages and transportation barriers drive the initiative
Roughly one in five Hoosiers lives in a rural community, where healthcare workforce shortages and transportation limitations often delay access to timely treatment. Dan Arens, Chief Executive Officer of Valley Oaks Health, said the funding reflects a shared commitment to improving rural health outcomes through collaboration with community partners and local stakeholders.