2026-27 Rural Population Health Incubator Grantees
The Oregon Office of Rural Health (ORH) is proud to announce the awardees of the 2026–27 Rural Population Health Incubator Program! This year’s cohort highlights 14 innovative, community‑driven projects designed to strengthen health and well-being across rural Oregon.
The Rural Population Health Incubator Program provides up to $10,000 in funding, ongoing mentorship, technical assistance and facilitated cohort learning to help rural organizations build and scale population health initiatives. The program supports rural hospitals, clinics, public health agencies and community‑based organizations (CBOs) working to improve community health, address disparities and build sustainable models of care.
ORH also extends deep appreciation to The Roundhouse Foundation, which generously funded three grants in this year’s cycle.
Meet the 2026–27 Incubator grantees:
Columbia County Public Health
Shortcut to Support: Community Access to Public Health with Mobile Outreach
This mobile public health outreach program will deliver preventive care, immunizations, maternal/child health support, disease screening, harm reduction services and referrals to remote rural communities, including Vernonia and Clatskanie. The initiative addresses transportation barriers and unmet health needs while aiming to reach 100 residents and provide follow‑up support for at least 50.
Forget Me Not Village (Douglas County)
Rural Neuro Wellness and Caregiver Resilience Program
This wellness and caregiver support program is tailored for rural adults living with dementia, Parkinson’s disease and brain injuries, along with their caregivers. The program includes adaptive movement, cognitive engagement, caregiver education and peer support to build resilience and reduce avoidable crises.
Klamath County Public Health
Vax Facts: A Mobile, Educational Vaccine-Themed Escape Room
This mobile escape room experience will feature myth‑busting clues and interactive science‑based challenges to increase vaccine knowledge and confidence among families, parents and young adults. The project includes versions tailored for general audiences, Spanish-speaking families and Tribal communities.
Bay Clinic, LLP (Coos County and neighboring counties)
The NEST: Newborn, Evaluation, Support and Tracking
This postpartum and newborn follow‑up program will provide screenings, lactation support, maternal mental health assessments and care guidance within 24–48 hours of hospital discharge. Funding will support long‑term sustainability by expanding International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) lactation expertise locally.
Clatsop Community Action (Clatsop County)
Supporting Rural Homeless Communities: A Mobile Outreach Office
This mobile unit will deliver case management, shelter and housing navigation, benefits access, referrals and veterans’ services directly to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in rural Clatsop County. The project anticipates serving 600–800 people annually.
South Morrow County Seniors Matter
End of Life Planning with Dignity for South Morrow County
This program will train end‑of‑life planning volunteers to provide one‑on‑one support and structured decision-making tools to at least 300 older adults over three years. The program will increase the completion of advance directives and reduce stress for families in a region with limited senior service resources.
Lake County Senior Citizens Association (Lake County)
Community Health Access Navigator Pilot
This formalized care navigation model will assist rural residents, especially older adults and Medicaid members, with transportation, appointment coordination, benefits navigation and follow‑through. The pilot program aims to strengthen access to health care and social service systems countywide.
Morrow County Health District
Fall Prevention for Morrow County Seniors
Using the evidence‑based Bingocize model, this project will deliver exercise and fall prevention education at multiple community sites to reduce fall‑related injuries among older adults. The program aims to reach at least 100 participants and improve functional mobility and fall prevention knowledge.
Wheeler County Public Health (Fossil and Wheeler counties)
Wheeler County Food and Nutrition Collaborative
This comprehensive countywide effort will improve food access and nutrition through coordinated education programs, Veggie Rx expansion and a pilot community garden. The initiative targets low‑income families, youth and older adults facing chronic food insecurity.
Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection (Klamath County)
Wheelchair Maintenance to Promote Rural Health and Community Empowerment
Monthly workshops led by wheelchair‑using community health workers (CHWs) and volunteer mechanics will provide free repairs, maintenance and hands‑on training for rural wheelchair users who often face lengthy repair delays.
South County Health District (Union County)
Tele‑dentistry Preventative Oral Care Pilot Project
This tele‑dentistry platform will expand preventive dental access in a region with severe provider shortages. The program includes remote screenings, personalized home care support and in‑clinic preventive treatments with a goal of enrolling 200 patients.
The Next Door Inc. (Hood River and Wasco counties)
Valle Verde Mental Wellness Curriculum
This Spanish‑language, CHW‑led, emotional wellness initiative will serve Latino communities in the Gorge through two 12‑week cohorts, monthly alumni groups and a bilingual mental health podcast. The program aims to improve mental health literacy, reduce stigma and increase community connection.
HIV Alliance (Curry and Josephine counties)
Expanding Access to HIV/Hepatitis C Care and MAT in Rural Southern Oregon
This project will expand telehealth access to HIV care, hepatitis C treatment and medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) in Curry and Josephine counties. The integrated model will include testing, immediate treatment initiation, peer support and care coordination.
Santiam Memorial Hospital (Marion County)
Mill City Connected Care for Older Adults Program
This CHW–led, home‑based, 90‑day intervention will serve frail or at‑risk adults aged 55+ in the Santiam Canyon communities of Mill City, Detroit, Idanha, Gates, Mehama and Lyons. CHWs will provide comprehensive assessments, medication reviews, cognitive and mobility screenings, social needs support and care coordination. The program will address gaps in preventive care, high chronic disease burden and social isolation.