Population health projects in Connecticut's RHTP include mobile clinics, school-based psychiatric consultation and home visiting expansion

State program staff used the webinar to highlight a subset of projects under the Rural Health Transformation Program's Population Health initiative, emphasizing service delivery models meant to reach rural residents.

Dan Sinclair, project director for Connecticut's RHTP program, outlined examples across agencies: the Department of Agriculture will support food systems investments; the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will pursue targeted infrastructure and outreach at the Airline Trail to boost outdoor usership among residents; and mobile medical and dental vans will be funded to bring care closer to rural communities.

"Under the Department of Social Services we will improve access and competencies by working with school based staff offering psychiatric consultation, guidance and referrals," Sinclair said, describing school-based mental health supports intended to expand provider capacity. He also said that, under DSS, the program will expand autism spectrum disorder consultation and support to build competencies across medical disciplines.

Speakers described the Office of Early Childhood's plan to expand home visiting through nursing teams and community health workers to visit postpartum women and newborns, aimed at improving maternal and infant outcomes. Panelists noted that some projects are "shovel ready," including the Office of Early Childhood's Family Bridge program and proposed access mental health expansions that build on existing programs.

During Q&A, panelists said school-based mental health expansions are intended to increase capacity and are open to all students who could benefit, not limited only to students with significant mental illness. The panel indicated that detailed procurement plans and timelines vary by project and that documentation and solicitations will be posted on the program website as they become available.