B.R.I.D.G.E.
Building Rural Infrastructure for Delivery, Growth & Efficiency
B.R.I.D.G.E.
Building Rural Infrastructure for Delivery, Growth & Efficiency
MSRHTP
meet the needs of rural Mississippians – now and in the future
by building a stronger, more capable healthcare system
The BRIDGE Initiative is Mississippi’s effort to strengthen the physical, operational, and programmatic infrastructure that rural healthcare depends on.
BRIDGE focuses on:
Expanding access to critical and specialized services
Closing gaps in care across rural communities
Supporting innovative pilot programs that improve how care is delivered
Who should be paying attention?
BRIDGE is designed for organizations working to expand services, improve infrastructure, or test new models of care.
If your organization is working to expand capacity, close care gaps, or pilot new solutions, there may be opportunities for you to participate.
Rural hospitals and critical access hospitals
Clinics (RHCs, FQHCs, community health centers)
Behavioral health providers
EMS and emergency response partners
Community-based organizations
Providers serving children, families, and vulnerable populations
Organizations focused on care coordination, workforce support, or specialty services
What success looks like
Through BRIDGE, Mississippi is working toward:
- Expanded access to critical and specialty services in rural areas
- Reduced gaps in care for underserved populations
- Improved behavioral health crisis response
- Stronger care coordination and patient management
- More efficient and sustainable healthcare operations
- Scalable, evidence-based models for rural care delivery
- Better health outcomes for children, families, and high-need populations
- Increased support for healthcare workers and emergency responders
What BRIDGE will fund and support
BRIDGE includes a set of targeted investments and pilots designed to build capacity and test new approaches to care delivery.
Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES)
Mississippi will expand access to crisis mental health services in rural communities.
Funding may support:
- Renovation of existing facilities to accommodate PES units
- Telepsychiatry and specialized psychiatric equipment
- Recruitment, training, and retention of behavioral health staff
- Development of crisis response protocols and care pathways
Rural Infrastructure & Care Gap Closure
BRIDGE will invest in targeted infrastructure improvements that expand access to essential services.
Funding may support:
- Renovation or expansion of existing facilities
- Equipment purchases (diagnostic, imaging, treatment)
- Reintroduction or expansion of critical service lines
- Operational improvements to increase efficiency and access
Innovation & Pilot Programs
BRIDGE supports pilot programs that test new, scalable approaches to rural healthcare challenges.
These may include:
- Early intervention and autism (ASD) programs
- Care coordination and chronic disease management models
- Value-based care (VBC) initiatives
- Community Health Worker (CHW) programs and reimbursement pilots
- Behavioral health support for emergency responders
- Specialty court models (e.g., mental health or diversion courts)
- Surgical care improvement models (e.g., enhanced recovery protocols)
Funding may support:
- Program design, implementation, and evaluation
- Workforce training and staffing
- Care coordination tools and technology
- Patient engagement and outreach
- Data tracking and outcome measurement
What’s Next?
Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) will be released soon.
These will outline:
- Who can apply
- Eligible activities
- Funding levels
- Application requirements
Important to Know Before Applying:
All BRIDGE funding must:
- Align with Mississippi’s approved Rural Health Transformation Plan
- Address clearly defined gaps in care or capacity
- Support sustainable, system-level improvements—not standalone projects
- Comply with federal funding rules and limitations
Funding is intended to build long-term capacity and test scalable solutions, not fund isolated or short-term efforts.