Policy & oversight
North Carolina Distributes 1.25 Million Dollars in Federal Rural Health Funds to Five School-Based Health Programs
Five organizations in rural North Carolina will receive federal Rural Health Transformation Program money to expand school-based health centers, with a focus on preventive care and behavioral health services for students in underserved communities.
By the Goodsurance editorial teamSeptember 14, 2026
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced on September 14, 2026, that his administration is distributing 1.25 million dollars to five organizations through the state's Rural Health Transformation Program allocation. The funds will expand or establish school-based health centers in rural communities across the state.
The five recipients are the Appalachian District Health Department, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, First Health of the Carolinas, Mountain Community Health Partnership, and Wilson County Health Department. Each organization will use its share to create, expand, or staff school-based clinics, with particular emphasis on behavioral health and preventive services for children and teenagers in rural areas.
North Carolina channels 1.25 million dollars in federal rural health funds to five organizations expanding school-based care in rural communities.
The distribution is part of North Carolina's participation in the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year initiative administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The national program is distributing up to 50 billion dollars through 2030 to improve rural health infrastructure. North Carolina received 213 million dollars in overall program funding in December 2025.
School-based health centers can offer services covered by Medicaid and, in some cases, coordinate care with Medicare-covered providers in communities where specialists are scarce. Strengthening local health infrastructure in rural areas can improve access and referral pathways for all residents, including older Medicare beneficiaries who depend on a functioning local care ecosystem.
In plain words
North Carolina is sending 1.25 million dollars to five local health groups. These groups will set up or expand health centers inside rural schools. Some centers will offer mental health care or send mobile health workers to students. The money comes from a bigger federal program that helps rural areas improve their health care.
Understand the basics first
Source: North Carolina Governor's Office
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