Decatur Shelby County YMCA selected for $528,862 investment in rural health

The Decatur Shelby County YMCA is preparing to strengthen and expand its relationships with local healthcare providers after being selected to receive $528,862.30 through Indiana’s Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being (GROW) Regional Grants initiative. The work will focus on improving health and quality of life across the region.

The funding will allow the YMCA to launch Prescribe the Y; a new healthcare referral program focused on preventing and managing chronic disease. Through Prescribe the Y, local health care providers will be able to connect eligible patients directly with personalized support at the YMCA.

“Making rural healthcare more affordable and accessible for every Hoosier is a priority of mine,” Gov. Mike Braun said. “This rural health funding will allow communities to put resources where they will make the biggest difference. Prescribe the Y is an innovative local solution that will help Hoosiers access personalized support to prevent and manage chronic disease, live healthier lives and receive the care they need closer to home.”

Referred participants will complete a free, 90-day program based on their individual health needs. The program may include personal training, health coaching, evidence-based chronic disease prevention programming, and opportunities for social connection.

“This is a major opportunity for our YMCA and the communities we serve,” said Mackenzie Pickerrell, CEO of the Decatur Shelby County YMCA. “Health is shaped by what happens between doctor visits. This funding will allow us to work directly with healthcare providers and give residents the coaching, tools, and consistent support they need to build healthier lives.”

The grant will significantly expand YMCA’s community health capacity across Decatur and Shelby counties. Funding will support the addition of a Director of Community Health and four personal trainers serving the YMCA’s Decatur and Shelby County locations.

The YMCA will also invest in EGYM strength-training equipment and SECA body composition technology. These tools will create a more personalized and approachable experience, helping participants understand their progress and build confidence as they work toward their health goals.

“This investment gives us the staff, technology and infrastructure to build something that can have a lasting impact throughout our communities,” Pickerrell said. “Through Prescribe the Y, we are creating a stronger connection between health care and the everyday support people need to improve their health.”

During the first year, the YMCA will focus on hiring and training staff, installing equipment, establishing referral and data-sharing systems, and expanding relationships with health care providers and community partners. Prescribe the Y is expected to begin serving referred participants in early 2027.

“At MHP, we believe caring for our community means not just treating people when they are sick but also empowering them with the resources and support they need to live healthier lives every day,” said Ryan Claxton, President & CEO of MHP. “That is why the Prescribe the Y program is such a great fit for our mission. It allows our providers to extend care beyond the walls of our facilities, connecting patients directly with the Decatur Shelby County YMCA and its strong network of community support. Together, we can help people build the everyday habits and long-term wellness needed to prevent chronic disease and thrive.”

The Decatur Shelby County YMCA will complete this work through Region 6’s Community Health Integration Network, which brings healthcare providers and community organizations together as part of the GROW Regional Grants initiative. GROW is part of the five-year Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program (Indiana RHTP), focused on improving health care access and outcomes in rural communities. Through this work, the YMCA will primarily serve residents of Decatur and Shelby counties.

Indiana RHTP is supported by approximately $207 million in federal funding for the 2026-2027 program year of the five-year program. About 60% of the funding centers on GROW, which allow regional coalitions to identify their communities’ greatest health needs and develop local solutions. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and the Indiana Department of Health administer Indiana RHTP.