Substance Use & Recovery · Implementation · 6 min read
How can substance use and recovery programs use Rural Health Transformation Program funding?
Rural communities face high overdose mortality and thin treatment capacity, making substance use disorder (SUD) and recovery services a strong fit for RHTP's prevention and chronic-disease management priorities. In practice, substance use and recovery programs can fund medication-assisted treatment (MAT) expansion in rural clinics, recovery coaching and peer support networks, telehealth bridge clinics for induction and follow-up, and warm-handoff programs from emergency departments to treatment. These map most naturally to the evidence-based prevention and chronic-disease management, and consumer-facing, technology-driven solutions categories, and SUD providers usually participate as sub-recipients of a state behavioral health or rural health agency, often partnering with hospitals for warm handoffs.
Where RHTP fits
Rural communities face high overdose mortality and thin treatment capacity, making substance use disorder (SUD) and recovery services a strong fit for RHTP's prevention and chronic-disease management priorities.
Fundable program types
RHTP can support a range of work for substance use and recovery programs:
- medication-assisted treatment (MAT) expansion in rural clinics
- recovery coaching and peer support networks
- telehealth bridge clinics for induction and follow-up
- warm-handoff programs from emergency departments to treatment
How to engage with the funding
SUD providers usually participate as sub-recipients of a state behavioral health or rural health agency, often partnering with hospitals for warm handoffs.
Because states apply and are accountable; sub-recipients (providers, plans, vendors) deliver, the practical move is to track your state's solicitations and align your proposal to its plan.
A common pitfall to avoid
Programs that cannot show retention and engagement data struggle to compete; build measurement in from day one.
Frequently asked questions
- Are substance use and recovery programs eligible for RHTP funding?
- Not directly: states hold the award. substance use and recovery programs participate through state solicitations as sub-recipients or partners.
- Which allowable-use categories fit substance use and recovery programs best?
- The evidence-based prevention and chronic-disease management, and consumer-facing, technology-driven solutions categories are the most natural fit.
Figures reflect the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program NOFO and the December 2025 award announcement. RHTP Tracker is an independent resource by Moodr Health and is not affiliated with CMS.