The Salt Lake County Health Department is inviting healthcare clinics to apply for 2026 quality improvement projects designed to enhance clinical practices and patient care for individuals living with diabetes and hypertension. The initiatives, managed by the department's Chronic Disease Prevention Team, offer funding to participating clinics to implement specialized improvement plans and address secondary health outcomes.
Diabetes Program Funding and Details
According to the Salt Lake County Health Department, the 2026 diabetes quality improvement program allows participating clinics to receive up to $3,000 in funding for selected project options. The request for applications remains open on an ongoing basis until October 25, 2026, or until the available funding has been exhausted.
Diabetes Project Options
Clinics eligible for the diabetes program must have medically licensed providers and serve adult patients with diabetes within Salt Lake County. Applicants may select up to three continuous quality improvement project options. Potential project goals include using clinical tools to increase referrals to diabetes support programs, such as Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES), Stepping On, Walk with Ease, Tai Chi, or Above Diabetes.
Diabetes Referral Initiatives
The diabetes initiative includes specific referral initiatives, such as a fall risk and diabetes dual referral initiative targeting patients aged 60 or older or those with an arthritis diagnosis for programs like Stepping On and Walk with Ease. Another option focuses on a prediabetes-to-prevention referral initiative, which targets patients with an A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% and a BMI of 25 or greater for an NDPP cohort, and patients with an A1C of 6.5% or higher for DSMES or Above Diabetes support programs.
Hypertension Program Funding and Details
The Salt Lake County Health Department also announced a separate request for applications for 2026 hypertension quality improvement projects. Clinics can receive up to $2,000 in funding for selected project options to help improve blood pressure management and associated outcomes. Like the diabetes program, this initiative expires on October 25, 2026, or when funding is exhausted.
Hypertension Project Options
For hypertension projects, clinics may choose from up to two continuous quality improvement project options. One option involves strengthening Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring (SMBP) implementation by improving workflows for patient enrollment, data sharing, and clinical follow-up. Another option is the implementation of the Healthy Heart Ambassador (HHA) program, a four-month lifestyle change program that includes nutrition lessons and instruction on correct blood pressure monitoring.
Hypertension Lending Library Program
A third hypertension project option involves a lending library referral program. Under this model, clinical staff would refer patients to local libraries to check out blood pressure monitors. Patients would use a log to track readings and return them to their provider, who would then ensure the readings are documented in the patient's medical chart.
Employee Incentives and Participation
| Project Timeline | Deadline | Details |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Application Deadline | October 25, 2026 | Applications close or funding exhausted |
| Finalize Activities | November 5, 2026 | Meeting with SLCoHD staff |
| Formal Contract | November 15, 2026 | Must be completed and submitted |
| Baseline Data | November 30, 2026 | Using specific clinic reporting forms |
| Training Period | Nov 5 - Dec 10, 2026 | Staff training sessions |
| Implementation | Jan 2 - June 30, 2027 | Active project execution |
| Success Story | May 31, 2027 | Required submission |
| Post-Project Data | June 30, 2027 | Final reporting |
Both the diabetes and hypertension programs offer potential incentives for clinic employees, volunteers, or teams involved in the planning or implementation of these activities. The Salt Lake County Health Department noted that these incentives, which could include items such as food or gift cards, are not guaranteed and are based on participation, effort, and performance.
