Notice of Funding Opportunity: Access to Care Grants
Spokane, Wash. — The Health Sciences and Services Authority (HSSA) of Spokane releases the 2026-2027 Access to Care Grant Request for Proposals September 1, 2026. Proposals will be received until October 15, 2026 at 5:00pm. A virtual meeting for prospective applicants will be held on September 10, 2026 at 12:30pm. To register, please email info@hssaspokane.org.
Access to Care Grants are a meaningful component of HSSA's work each year, helping to provide better health and health care in Spokane County to people who are uninsured, underinsured or at risk, lower health care costs in Spokane County and improve Spokane County’s health care system. This work will be even more meaningful with changes coming to Medicaid eligibility criteria on October 1st.
When determining annual priorities, HSSA relies on our region's community health data. We review the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, Quality of Life Survey Results, and the State of Women and Children Report.
The top priorities identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment are: reduce the housing cost burden, reduce substance use, and improve mental health. These are the priorities HSSA will focus on for this grant cycle.
We learned from the Quality of Life Survey that 1 in 4 residents report 14 days or more per month of poor mental health, an increase from 2019. The Quality of Life Survey also identifies what keeps residents from accessing mental health care: cost, not knowing where to go, insurance not covering enough of the cost, concerns about confidentiality, scheduling with providers, lack of care coordination, fitting treatment into one's schedule, as well as physical and mental health challenges.
To address these challenges seeking care, HSSA asks applicants to address how they will incorporate the 5 dimensions of Access to Care: affordability, availability of appointments/personnel, geographic accessibility, accommodation regarding client preferences for appointment dates/times and communications, acceptability regarding immutable characteristics such as age, ethnicity, gender and more.
The State of Women and Children Report illustrates to us that Spokane County has higher than average rates of child abuse, intimate partner violence, and Adverse Childhood Experiences. Both this report and the Quality of Life Survey identify community violence and safety are top community priorities.
HSSA scores applicants on how they will incorporate the HOPE Framework into their work. The four elements of the HOPE Framework are designed to create Positive Childhood Experiences as a protector against Adverse Childhood Experiences.
With award amounts ranging from $30,000 to $150,000 over 12 months, Access to Care Grants can make a significant impact on the health of the entities awarded, and the people they serve. It's critical that the voices of people who have been disproportionately impacted by health disparities are built into how service is delivered in their communities. Applicants will be scored on which methods are used to ensure that no work for someone without their involvement in leadership and planning.
"Operationalizing how we can best meet the needs of our community is far from glamorous, but it helps us make data-informed decisions for the greatest community impact" says HSSA's Executive Director, Erin Williams Hueter. "I'm proud of all of our past grantees and what they have accomplished, and I'm looking forward to reading the 2026 proposals."
The full Request for Proposals and links to the application can be found at hssaspokane.org.
HSSA expects to release its next Request for Proposals for Research, Development and Commercialization in Spokane County's Bioscience Industry on December 1, 2026. For information on all grant types, the awards HSSA has made and Annual Reports, visit our website, hssaspokane.org.
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