Local organizations receive more than $290,000 in ToRCH grants

Community
• 26 January 2026

The Polk County ToRCH Leadership Board awarded $290,000 in grants to eight community partners to address social needs in the county.

The grants are the second round of funding through Citizens Memorial Hospital’s participation in a pilot project with Missouri HealthNet, which manages Missouri’s Medicaid program. CMH is one of six rural Missouri hospitals participating in the five-year Transformation of Rural Community Health, or ToRCH, pilot project. The board previously awarded more than $194,000 in grants in January 2025.

The local ToRCH Leadership Board reviewed applications and selected recipients based on the potential impact of projects in advancing ToRCH goals. The board includes representatives from the hospital, primary care, behavioral health, public health and community organizations, especially those supporting seniors and children.

“These grants will help our community partners meet real needs in Polk County,” said Jenna Hicks, director of quality and population health at CMH. “By supporting local projects, we can improve access to care, strengthen prevention efforts and make lasting improvements in health. This work reflects ToRCH’s goal of building healthier communities through strong local partnerships.”

Organizations receiving the grants include:

• Bolivar R-1 School District, $30,000 – On-site counseling for uninsured youth during school hours to support students’ mental health and wellness, with support for Medicaid enrollment assistance for parents.
• CMH Nutritional Services, $29,238 – Equipment to expand medically-tailored home-delivered meals for Medicaid beneficiaries in Polk County with food and transportation insecurity.
• Community Outreach Ministries, $45,000 – Remodel to create a “one-stop shop” for community resources, including housing and homelessness support, and staffing for the Housing Connections program that promotes safe, stable and affordable housing.
• Polk County Community Connections, $29,865 – A six-week summer lunch program for children in Humansville, Pleasant Hope, Morrisville and Fair Play, providing one nutritious meal per day in July and August.
• Empower Abilities, $38,250 – Assessment, supplies and installation for essential home modifications and safety equipment for Polk County residents.
• Polk County KLIFE, $38,250 – Staffing to strengthen the Fair Play program and expand to another rural Polk County community, providing mentoring, school-based engagement and connections to community resources.
• Polk County Cares, $45,000 – Expanding access to social services through staffing and construction support. The organization operates a warming center and is working to open housing for single women, mothers and children.
• Polk County Health Center, $35,250 – Nutrition education for food pantry clients, including group events and one-on-one nutrition consultations.

For more information about the ToRCH program, contact Hicks at 417-328-7953.