Rural Health Transformation Program support
We help states and federal agencies turn RHT policy into progress—faster.
Enhancing rural health quality and access
Nearly one in five Americans lives in a rural community, where gaps in healthcare access, workforce capacity, transportation, and basic supports continue to drive persistent chronic disease. With these challenges top of mind, CMS is investing $50 billion in the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program to help states strengthen care access, build workforce pipelines, and accelerate new care delivery, payment, and technology models. We bring one of the largest portfolios of CMS quality and model‑implementation work, helping the agency drive nationwide shifts toward person‑centered, value‑based care. Our teams have supported CMS on critical programs that reshape care delivery and improve outcomes nationwide.
At ICF, we’re driven to improve lives—using science, compassion, and innovation to strengthen health and build a more resilient, healthier world for all.
But funding alone isn’t enough. States need experienced partners who understand federal and state health systems, collaborate effectively with rural communities, and deliver digital and operational modernization at scale. With deep expertise across public health, federal grants, workforce development, technology, and communications, ICF helps states implement the RHT Program in ways that drive measurable, statewide impact.
ICF by the numbers
50+
years working in partnership with state and local communities
25+
years supporting program implementation in rural areas
2K+
experts dedicated to improving the health of our nation
ICF brings expertise in chronic disease prevention, behavioral health, maternal health, tribal and community resilience, and community health along with staff that have helped states run large, complex federally funded grant programs from application intake through closeout.
Grants management
Navigate complex funding requirements with confidence.
We help federal, state, and community partners strengthen oversight, ensure compliance, and streamline grant workflows through human-centered, technology-enabled solutions and data-informed insights.
Workforce
Build a resilient health workforce aligned to community needs.
We assess workforce gaps, develop apprenticeship and career pathways, and map retention investments to help organizations align skills to labor market demand across health care, social services, and government sectors.
Communications and behavior change
Engage priority audiences and drive measurable behavior change.
Through formative research, targeted messaging, and evidence-based campaigns, we help health organizations reach underserved populations and deliver impactful social marketing across the U.S. and its territories.
Capacity building and program implementation
Turn strategy into sustainable impact.
We provide technical assistance, implementation planning, training, and change management to help partners operationalize programs, scale evidence-based practices, and sustain results over time.
Technology transformation and AI
Modernize systems to improve care, efficiency, and equity.
We design secure, interoperable digital solutions and apply responsible AI to streamline workflows, expand virtual care, and strengthen decision-making for providers, administrators, and communities.
Program evaluation and data analytics
Measure what matters—and use data to improve outcomes.
We work with state, local, rural, and Tribal communities to evaluate program performance and conduct advanced health analytics, delivering actionable insights that strengthen access, quality, and accountability.
Our work
Modernizing access to key behavioral health data
Applying generative AI to propel CDC's public health mission
Modernizing the substance abuse and mental health data archive
SAMHSA captures impact of suicide prevention efforts
CDC helps local health jurisdictions fight overdoses
National Cancer Institute: Smokefree
Our insights
Our experts
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