What's New
Notification: 2019 Health Center Controlled Networks Notice of Funding Opportunity Modified
The FY 2019 Health Center Controlled Networks (HRSA-19-011) notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) was recently modified to change how Attachment 2: PHC Memorandum of Agreement is counted toward the page limit. Visit Grants.gov to download the most recent NOFO. Applications are due in Grants.gov on January 3, 2019, and in EHBs on January 29, 2019.
Uniform Data System 2018 Reporting Season Begins on January 1, 2019
The Uniform Data System (UDS) 2018 reporting season begins on January 1, 2019. HRSA-supported health centers are required to submit complete and accurate UDS reports by February 15, 2019. Upon successful submission, we will assign your UDS report to a UDS reviewer who will work with you to finalize your data submission.
The 2018 UDS Manual and other UDS reporting resources are available online to help you complete an accurate report. The manual includes detailed instructions for completing each of the tables and appendices, and information on how to submit the UDS through EHBs.
There are two new methods for offline data entry: an offline Excel tool and an offline HTML tool. We’re offering technical assistance to support those who choose to use these optional UDS reporting enhancements (details are in the next item). Health centers may choose to enter their 2018 UDS data via the EHBs.
Please direct all electronic reporting questions to Health Center Program Support online or by phone: 877-464-4772 from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday (except federal holidays). Direct UDS content questions to the UDS Support Center at 866-UDS-HELP (866-837-4357) or udshelp330@bphcdata.net.
UDS Training Opportunities and Technical Assistance
HRSA provides resources and training opportunities to help you learn about UDS Modernization and to prepare for your 2018 UDS submission. Find presentations, including links to webinar recordings, and more on the UDS Resources page. In addition, here are some upcoming training opportunities:
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UDS Mapper Advanced Topics
This webinar is geared toward users who are familiar with the UDS Mapper and would like to learn more about its uses.
Friday, December 14
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
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Offline UDS Data Entry Technical Assistance Office Hours
There are two new options for offline UDS data entry: an Excel tool and an HTML tool. Learn more. From now until February 15, 2019, HRSA is holding weekly technical assistance office hours for health centers that choose one of these options:
Tuesdays and Thursdays
1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Call-in: 804-294-0066
Access code: 49585925
Health centers may also request an appointment for technical assistance by emailing uds-support@reisystems.com with a date and time that fits your schedule. We hope that you find the new reporting features useful.
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Optimizing Health Center Data: The Journey to Modernization (Rescheduled)
HRSA is hosting a Speakers Series to explore the journey to modernization. Join this session to learn about new functionalities, a health center's perspectives, and next steps.
Monday, December 17
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the webinar the day of the session
Call-in: 888-390-0867
Passcode: 1039201
Rural Residency Planning and Development Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
HRSA is accepting applications for the FY 2019 Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program in Grants.gov. Applications are due by March 4, 2019.
The grant program is a collaboration between HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce and Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. The purpose of this grant program is to develop new rural residency programs or Rural Training Tracks (RTT) in family medicine, internal medicine, and psychiatry to support expansion of the physician workforce in rural areas. An estimated 28 awards will be made for creation of rural residency programs or RTTs intended to be sustainable through separate public or private funding beyond the three-year RRPD grant period of performance. Awardees will receive technical assistance from the Rural Residency Planning and Development – Technical Assistance Center (awarded via cooperative agreement in September) for the duration of the project period. Hospitals, medical schools, and community-based ambulatory settings that have a rural designation along with consortia of urban and rural partnerships are eligible to apply for a grant award.
Learn more at a technical assistance webinar that will provide an overview of pertinent information in the notice and an opportunity for applicants to ask questions:
Monday, December 17
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Questions? Contact Tracey Smith or Jemima Drake.
Behavioral Health Workforce Projections, 2016-2030
HRSA’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis recently released its Behavioral Health Workforce Projections, 2016-2030, which includes eight updated fact sheets on behavioral health occupations: addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, mental health and school counselors, psychiatric technicians and psychiatric aides, psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatric physician assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers.
In addition to the updated national projections, HRSA released state-level projections for each for these occupations. The release of this information supports HHS’s continued efforts to combat the ongoing opioid and substance use disorder crisis across the nation.
Centering Healthcare Institute Implementation Grants
Earlier this year, Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) launched a plan to expand access to the Centering model of group health care in communities where group care can have the greatest impact. They developed a program offering free implementation support and facilitation training to 130 eligible sites—primarily in health centers. These grants will address the financial barrier facing centers in resource-limited communities. CHI is awarding these grants in several waves over 2018-2019. Applications for the first wave of 2019 grants are due by Monday, January 7, 2019. Learn more and apply now.
Public Comment Period Opens for Proposed Grants Management Common Data Standards
A recent notice by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provides the opportunity for public comment on proposed grants management common data standards that were created in support of the Results-Oriented Accountability for Grants Cross-Agency Priority (CAP) goal. Comments must be received by Tuesday, January 15, 2019.
In March, OMB launched the President's Management Agenda, which established more than a dozen CAP goals, one of which is titled, “Results-Oriented Accountability for Grants.”
The intent of this CAP goal is to rebalance grants compliance efforts with a focus on results for the American taxpayer; to standardize grant reporting data; and to improve data collection in ways that will increase efficiency, promote evaluation, reduce reporting burden, and benefit the American taxpayer. Learn more about the CAP goal.
 Healthy People 2030 Public Comment
HHS is soliciting written comments on the proposed objectives for Healthy People 2030. They invite comments on the proposed Healthy People 2030 objectives, and the public can also propose their own objectives.
Previous public comments on the proposed Healthy People 2030 framework helped shape the vision, mission, foundational principles, plan of action, and overarching goals for Healthy People 2030. In this public comment period, HHS would like input on the proposed Core, Developmental, and Research objectives.
In response to stakeholder input, Healthy People 2030 will be a streamlined set of national health objectives guiding the nation in efforts to improve health. Heathy People 2030 will continue to represent critical public health priorities by addressing the leading causes of morbidity and mortality and driving action at the national, state, and local levels.
Submit comments on the proposed objectives before Thursday, January 17, 2019.
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Medicare Virtual Check-in Payment Effective in 2019
Learn about an update to Medicare reimbursements that takes effect on January 1, 2019. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) will be able to receive payment for a “virtual check-in” with a Medicare patient when at least five minutes of communication technology-based (audio only or audio with video) or remote evaluation services are furnished by an FQHC practitioner to a Medicare patient who has had an FQHC-billable visit within the previous year (an established patient). The encounter must also meet these requirements:
- The medical discussion or remote evaluation is for a condition not related to an FQHC service provided within the previous 7 days, and
- The medical discussion or remote evaluation does not lead to an FQHC visit within the next 24 hours or at the soonest available appointment.
Resources
New National Cooperative Agreement Directory
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) recently released a directory of the 20 NCAs, which includes a description of each organization’s HRSA-funded activities that support health centers on a wide range of topics. Since 2017, the NCAs have collaborated on the formation of HRSA’s National Resource Center (NRC) for Training and Technical Assistance. The NRC advances health center operational excellence through the development, coordination, and dissemination of training and technical assistance materials to health centers nationwide.
Identifying Opioid Use Disorder Based on the DSM-5
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that approximately 21-29 percent of patients misuse opioids prescribed for chronic pain and between 8-12 percent develop an opioid use disorder (OUD). Their questions for the identification of OUD based on the DSM-5 can help you identify opioid misuse in patients. Answers to the yes or no questions will help you determine whether your patient has moderate or severe OUD.
Check out CDC’s Quality Improvement and Care Coordination Implementation Resource
Providers, has your practice or health care system implemented the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain? CDC’s Quality Improvement and Care Coordination resource may help you figure out how to get started.
Coffee Break: How to use HOP’s Transportation Quality Improvement Toolkit
Health Outreach Partners, a HRSA-funded NCA, has created a Transportation Quality Improvement (QI) Toolkit to help programs prepare, implement, and evaluate their transportation solutions. Grab a cup of coffee and listen to this pre-recorded webinar for a brief overview of the toolkit, including the two key phases of the QI process: Needs Assessment and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle.
Learning Collaboratives from National Center for Equitable Care for Elders
Health centers are invited to join two learning collaboratives offered by The National Center for Equitable Care for Elders, a HRSA-funded NCA. While these collaboratives kicked off last month, you may still join!
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Addiction and Older Adults - Addressing Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in the Older Adult Health Center Patient
Research suggests that substance use (illicit drug use, use of alcohol in combination with other substances, or nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals, e.g., prescription medications, OTC remedies) is an emerging public health issue among our nation's older adults. This learning collaborative will explore the issues and causes of addictions in older adults (including opioid use/abuse), how SUD uniquely affects older adults, evidence-based strategies, and available local resources.
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Improving the Quality of End-of-Life Care for Older Adults in Health Centers
Health centers face many challenges to providing patients with optimal end-of-life care. Primary care is typically fragmented across specialty, palliative, and hospice care. This learning collaborative will address end-of-life care, including advance directives, end-of-life decisions, palliative care, hospice, and caregiver/family support.
Smoke-Free Public Housing Webinar
Join a HRSA webinar to learn how "Change is in the Air" for public housing units across the country as HUD's smoke-free policy went into effect on July 30. Public Housing Primary Care health centers (PHPCs) are in a unique position to collaborate with Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to implement the smoking ban and address the health care needs of public housing residents.
Join the National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NCA, to learn how PHPCs and PHAs can work together to support policy implementation and improve health outcomes within their communities. This informative webinar will highlight innovations/promising practices from health centers in Alabama and New York and identify helpful resources for PHPCs.
Tuesday, December 11
12:30-2:00 p.m. ET
Join the webinar the day of the session
Call-in: 800-593-9913
Passcode: 9283710
Advancing Oral Health and Primary Care Integration to Support People Living with HIV Webinar
HRSA will host a webinar focused on the relationship and importance between HIV/AIDS and oral health care in community health center settings. Presenters will highlight HRSA initiatives and models that support integrated oral health and primary care for people living with HIV (PLWH). We will feature two health centers that have integrated oral health and primary care for PLWH.
Wednesday, December 19
2:30-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Building a Foundation for Healthy Active Living: A Focus on Childhood Obesity Prevention during the First Five Years
HRSA offers an opportunity for providers to learn about childhood obesity prevention:
- Why are the first five years of life critically important from an early obesity prevention perspective?
- How can health care providers support families in establishing and maintaining healthy, active living-related behaviors?
Dr. Sandra G. Hassink, previous president of the American Academy of Pediatrics and internationally recognized expert in child obesity prevention, will discuss key anticipatory guidance and counseling techniques and desired actions (for the health care provider and parent). She will also highlight tools and resources to support implementation.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Call-in: 888-946-4311
Passcode: 4786596
Overview of SBIRT Training Opportunities and Resources Webinar Recording Available
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment to people with SUD and those at risk of developing these disorders.
In a HRSA webinar, experts from SAMHSA’s Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) (a nationwide, multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field) discussed online and regional training opportunities for health centers and their primary care teams on SBIRT. Watch the webinar recording.
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