Indiana Models and Innovations
These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.
Other Project Examples
ASPIN's Certified Recovery Specialist Program
Updated/reviewed September 2026
- Need: Indiana's rural communities face significant behavioral health and primary care shortages. Providers require trained frontline workers who can support care navigation, address social drivers of health, and expand access to prevention, intervention, and recovery services.
- Intervention: A statewide training and workforce development model that certifies Community Health Workers (CHWs) and dual CHW/PRSS (Peer Recovery Support Specialists) to serve in rural settings.
- Results: ASPIN has trained and certified 2,235 Community Health Workers, expanded PRSS training opportunities, and supported rural partners statewide through CHW training and workforce development programs.
Indiana ASPIN Veteran's Services
Updated/reviewed September 2026
- Need: To address the lack of mental healthcare options for rural veterans.
- Intervention: A telebehavioral health hub network was created to connect community mental health centers to the VA Medical Center.
- Results: More than 3,000 telehealth appointments have been made, saving hundreds of veterans time and money.
Major Health Partners Kidney Care Options (KCO) Program
Added July 2026
- Need: To improve kidney care for patients in rural Indiana.
- Intervention: A nurse-led, interdisciplinary kidney care program redesigned clinical workflows to identify patients earlier, provide education, address barriers to treatment, and support informed decision-making.
- Results: From 2023 to 2025, 80% to 92% of patients received Kidney Care Options education before initiating kidney replacement therapy.
Indiana Statewide Rural Health Network (InSRHN)
Updated/reviewed September 2025
- Need: To improve sustainability and financial viability for rural healthcare providers throughout Indiana.
- Intervention: A network of rural healthcare providers for Critical Access and other hospitals in Indiana that are dedicated to improving their ability to deliver efficient and high-quality healthcare for their rural residents.
- Results: The network has been leveraged to increase access to resources, coordinate services, and improve and expand healthcare access.
Camp Mariposa
Updated/reviewed August 2024
- Need: To help children whose family members are struggling with substance misuse.
- Intervention: A year-round program provides mentoring as well as substance use prevention education.
- Results: In 2023, Camp Mariposa served a total of 113 youth in its four rural locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. In a study, 92% of participants reported no use of any substance to get high.
Richmond Substance Use and Mental Health Mobile Integrated Health Program
Added November 2023
- Need: To reduce the number of overdose deaths in Richmond, Indiana and connect people in need of mental health treatment to community resources.
- Intervention: A mobile integrated healthcare (MIH) program that connects social workers with people who have just experienced a mental health crisis or overdose.
- Results: More than 320 people have been referred to Richmond's MIH programs since June 2022.
Project Swaddle
Added August 2023
- Need: To reduce poor maternal and infant health outcomes and improve access to prenatal and postpartum care for at-risk pregnant women and recent mothers in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
- Intervention: A home visitation program that uses community paramedics to deliver wrap-around care to women experiencing high-risk pregnancies and/or social and environmental challenges.
- Results: Since 2018, more than 200 women have been served by the program.