In this issue: Helping families cope with COVID-19 outbreaks, new resources, funding opportunities, and more
Spotlight: Helping families cope with COVID-19 outbreaks
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 The worldwide spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought unprecedented challenges. Given the resulting disruptions to daily life, helping children cope with stress can be especially difficult. Implementation of social distancing strategies to prevent illness increases families' stress levels even further.
In an effort to protect the mental health of children and their caregivers, we would like to remind everyone that behavioral health services are considered essential health benefits (PDF, 2.5 MB, 2 pp). Examples of such services include depression screening, behavioral assessments, therapy, and counseling.
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"Children may respond differently to an outbreak depending on their age."
— NCTSN's Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
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We also encourage you to download and share the National Child Traumatic Stress Network's parent/caregiver guide to help families cope with COVID-19 (PDF, 141 KB, 5 pp).
The guide gives examples of children's reactions by age group and the best ways adults can respond. Additionally, it lists self-care and coping tips for caregivers. And it urges people to seek mental health support if they are having trouble coping.
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April: Children and stress
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Share this ad in your newsletter or on your website. Other sizes will be available on CMS's Outreach and Education Resources page.
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Public service announcements
Share these brief audio clips and videos, available in Native languages and English, on your local radio station, website, and Facebook page.
 Audio clips
 Videos
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Flyers and fact sheets
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Download these files or order copies of these resources on the Tribal Products Ordering Page. Please allow 2 weeks for your order to be completed.
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National Infant Immunization Week
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Observed this year on April 26–May 3, National Infant Immunization Week highlights the role of routine vaccines in keeping children healthy.
Help protect infants from flu, whooping cough, and other diseases:
- encourage new and expectant parents to follow their health care provider's recommendations regarding vaccines
- remind caregivers that immunizations are covered as an essential health benefit under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program
Parent-friendly versions of the 2020 immunization schedules for infants and children are available online. Caregivers can also access a childhood vaccine assessment tool to determine which vaccines their child may need.
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April is National Minority Health Month
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For the second year in a row, the theme for National Minority Health Month is "Active & Healthy," which highlights the benefits of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
To help encourage Native people to move more, the Coeur d'Alene tribe's Pow Wow Sweat program offers a series of videos featuring traditional dances with a modern twist.
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Pow Wow Sweat dancers have performed at conferences and events throughout Indian Country and at the White House. Additionally, the videos have generated interest from Spain, England, and Germany.
Pow Wow Sweat launched in 2016 with support from Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative.
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Foot Health Awareness Month
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April marks the arrival of Foot Health Awareness Month, an ideal time to highlight the role of foot care in preventing diabetes complications.
Diabetes-related nerve damage can cause people to lose feeling in their feet and legs. As a result, people may not notice cuts and tears when they happen. Such wounds can become infected and require amputation of the affected foot or leg.
According to CMS's recently revised booklet, Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies, Services, & Prevention Programs (PDF, 567 KB, 32 pp), people with diabetes-related nerve damage in either foot are eligible for Medicare Part B coverage of:
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NIHB's Tribal Accreditation Learning Community webinars
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The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) offers a free monthly webinar series on public health improvement, system improvement, and accreditation in tribal communities. Recent webinar topics include:
- evaluation and measuring capacity
- funding performance improvement efforts
- evidence-based community health improvement plans/strategic planning
- understanding research and data analysis for performance improvement
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Technical assistance for small rural hospitals and clinics
Deadline: April 17
View the Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project funding opportunity
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project. The program provides small rural hospitals and rural health clinics with technical assistance to improve quality, efficiency, patient experience, safety, and other aspects of care. HRSA expects to award 1 grantee up to $800,000 per year for 5 years.
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Grants for tribal broadband feasibility studies
Deadline: May 8
View the tribal broadband feasibility funding opportunity
The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED) will fund the hiring of consultants to perform feasibility studies for high-speed internet deployment or expansion in tribal communities. IEED anticipates awarding 25–30 tribes up to $50,000 each for 1 year.
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Telehealth-focused rural health research
Deadline: July 1
View the telehealth-focused rural health research funding opportunity
The Health Resources and Services Administration will fund 2 research centers—1 to evaluate telehealth investments in rural areas nationwide and another to expand the evidence base for rural telehealth services. Through this program, 2 grantees will receive up to $950,000 a year each for 4 years.
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Some events may be cancelled, postponed, or held virtually as public health officials monitor COVID-19 safety measures during this time. Please check the event pages for status updates.
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Virtual CMS ITU Outreach and Education Trainings
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS has postponed all face-to-face ITU trainings through June 2020 and will offer virtual trainings (webinars) instead. Business office staff, patient registration staff, and benefits coordinators are encouraged to register, using the links provided below. Additionally, archived webinar recordings will be available after each training.
Dates and Topics of Upcoming Virtual ITU Trainings
Time: 2 pm eastern
Please register using the links below:
April 16: Meet Your Native American Contact
April 30: Medicare 101
May 14: Medicaid 101
May 28: Social Security and Disability Benefits
June 11: Outreach and Education/National Indian Health Board
June 25: Office of Inspector General: Preventing Fraud Waste and Abuse
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8th International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS
Indigenous pre-conference: July 4–5, 2020
Oakland, CA
Register for the International Indigenous Pre-conference
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The International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS provides opportunities to share promising practices that improve social and cultural determinants of health in indigenous communities. The 23rd International AIDS Conference will be held virtually on July 6–10, immediately after the pre-conference.
Conference: July 6–10
Virtual
Register for the International AIDS Conference
The 23rd International AIDS Conference will be held virtually on July 6–10, immediately after the pre-conference.
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2020 IHS Partnership Conference
July 21–23, 2020
Houston, TX
Register for the 2020 IHS Partnership Conference
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This year's Indian Health Service (IHS) Partnership Conference will focus on health information management, meaningful use, third-party billing, purchased/referred care, the catastrophic health emergency fund, and more. No registration fee will be charged.
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Contact Us
Do you have news to share? Send it to coveringic@kauffmaninc.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming newsletter. Contact us with other comments or feedback, too.
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About the Newsletter
Covering Indian Country is published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Tribal Affairs to share resources, success stories, and best practices with the people who connect tribal communities to health care coverage.
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