Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program - Organization Name and Full Address: Healthy Acadia, 77 Beechland Rd.,Ellsworth, ME 04605-2539 Entity Type: Community-based Public Health Non-profit Organization 501(c)(3) Website: www.healthyacadia.org Proposed Service Region: Hancock and Washington Counties Network Name: The Downeast Housing Collaborative Legislative Aim(s): Aim #1: Achieve efficiencies, Aim #2: Expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of basic health care services and associated health outcomes, Aim #3: Strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. Focus area(s) based on community need: Care coordination, healthcare access, and addressing social determinants of health, including housing security. Funding Preference: Qualification 1: Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), the service area for this grant (Hancock and Washington counties) is located in an officially designated health professional shortage area (HPSA). Project Description: Healthy Acadia, the convener of the Downeast Housing Collaborative (the Network), is applying for the 2025 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Project funding to expand and strengthen our current Network. The target population includes individuals in Washington and Hancock counties, Maine, experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. The goal of this project is to improve healthcare access, coordination, and quality for this population, achieve efficiencies, and ultimately strengthen the rural healthcare system in our region. Due to a significant housing crisis in our region, the target population primarily consists of low-income individuals and families, with some experiencing moderate income, particularly in areas with higher housing prices or limited availability. Our proposed services include building a strong, multi-sector network to effectively implement the planning project from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. For Goal 1, we will focus on enhancing network operations, fostering community and partner relationships, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Network. Strategies will include developing a strategic plan, updating agreements and structures, implementing performance data collection, administering assessment tools, and forming workgroups to guide and sustain our efforts. For Goal 2, we will use a data-to-action approach to improve health outcomes for our target population. This will involve analyzing existing data to identify strengths, needs, gaps, and opportunities, followed by the development of a plan focused on expanding healthcare access, improving care coordination, preventing homelessness, and addressing social determinants of health. Throughout the project, we will engage stakeholders, secure necessary resources, and ensure the sustainability of the Network’s impact. This planning process presents a critical opportunity to address the needs of individuals and families facing housing insecurity or homelessness in Washington and Hancock counties. By strengthening the Network and taking a data-driven, collaborative approach, we aim to enhance health outcomes and quality of life for this vulnerable population. The proposed planning efforts will drive efficiencies and lay the foundation for a sustainable healthcare system that addresses broader social determinants of health, creating lasting impact. Through continued collaboration, community engagement, and strategic planning, we are committed to creating a healthier, more resilient rural healthcare system that meets the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community.
