State Officials Dedicate Federal Funds to Improve Sussex County Healthcare Access

July 31, 2026

Delaware State House Republican Caucus

Earlier this week, state health officials unveiled plans to use federal grant money to establish four new school-based health centers in Sussex County.

The money is a portion of the nearly $157.4 million thus far awarded to Delaware under the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion, five-year federal initiative to improve rural health access in all 50 states.

The state's decision announced on Wednesday will expand access to preventive, primary and behavioral healthcare services in underserved Sussex communities to improve outcomes.

The awards include:

• Nemours Children’s Health – Seaford Middle School

• TidalHealth – Selbyville Middle School

• Beebe Healthcare – Sussex Central Middle School

• Beebe Healthcare – Georgetown Middle School

Delaware currently has 40 school-based health centers statewide, but nearly three-quarters are located in New Castle County. Before these awards, only one middle school and one elementary school in Sussex County had a school-based health center. The four new centers will help close that gap, making it easier for Sussex students to receive care and identify concerns early.

The amounts of each award were not disclosed in the announcement.

Through Delaware's participation in the Rural Health Transformation Program, state officials have been investing in projects that improve access to care, strengthen Delaware’s healthcare workforce, modernize healthcare infrastructure, and advance better health outcomes across Kent and Sussex counties.