What's New
Application Deadline Reminders
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Service Area Competition Applications for January 1 Starts
Service Area Competition (SAC) applications for service areas with a January 1, 2020, project period start date (HRSA-20-015) are due in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) by 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 14. TA materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.
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SAC Applications for March 1 Starts
SAC applications for service areas with a March 1, 2020, project period start date (HRSA-20-017) are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 26, and in EHBs by 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 25. TA materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.
Calendar Year 2020 Requirements for Federal Tort Claims Act Medical Malpractice Coverage for Free Clinics
HRSA is issuing Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2019-04 to describe the Free Clinics Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Program requirements and the process for submitting Free Clinics FTCA Program initial deeming, supplemental deeming, and redeeming sponsorship applications for calendar years (CY) 2019 and 2020. The PAL will post on HRSA’s website soon. Redeeming sponsorship applications for coverage for CY 2020 are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, October 11.
Join a TA webinar for the CY 2020 Free Clinics FTCA Program deeming sponsorship application:
Wednesday, August 14
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services Tri-Annual Progress Reporting TA Office Hours
Fiscal year (FY) 2018 Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health (SUD-MH) Services supplemental funding progress reports are due on Monday, September 16. HRSA will hold progress reporting TA office hours to provide updates and reminders for the next report submission. We will also answer questions about progress reporting requirements. Visit the SUD-MH TA webpage for other resources.
Tuesday, August 20
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Call-in: 888-989-4569
Passcode: 1901246
Wheelchair-Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment: Cutting Edge Technology, Cost-Effective for Health Care Providers, and Consumer-Friendly
On Friday, July 26, the HHS Administration for Community Living released an issue brief explaining why it is good business for providers to invest in accessible medical diagnostic equipment. It describes what accessible medical diagnostic equipment is, how it can help address health care disparities, and how it can help promote compliance with providers' disability rights obligations. Read more and access the fact sheet.
One Month Left: Apply to Become a Certified Application Counselor Designated Organization for Plan Year 2020
CMS invites organizations that would like to become Certified Application Counselor Designated Organizations (CDOs) to submit an application by Monday, September 16. Any organization seeking to use certified application counselors to provide enrollment assistance to consumers for plan year 2020 must be a certified CDO. Access the CDO application and email your questions to CACQuestions@cms.hhs.gov.
Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health
Opioids and Children and Adolescents: Information for Oral Health Professionals
Funded by HRSA, the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource released a new publication: Opioids and Children and Adolescents: Information for Oral Health Professionals. It provides best practices for pain management following dental care in children and adolescents, including drugs to recommend before prescribing opioids and information about prescribing opioids with caution and being aware of the potential for misuse or abuse.
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CDC’s Vital Signs: Pharmacy-Based Naloxone Dispensing
The CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain recommends considering prescribing naloxone when factors that increase risk for overdose are present. In light of the high numbers of drug overdose deaths involving opioids, 36% of which in 2017 involved prescription opioids, improving access to naloxone is a public health priority. In their latest Vital Signs, CDC examined trends and characteristics of naloxone dispensing from retail pharmacies at the national and county levels in the U.S.
Oral Health
Nutrition Counseling for Obesity Prevention in Children: A Handbook for the Dental Community
Funded by HRSA, the Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, in collaboration with the Center for Obesity Research and Education, developed the Nutrition Counseling for Obesity Prevention Handbook. It is a useful resource for dental professionals and dental clinics interested in playing a role in childhood obesity prevention.
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Opioids and Children and Adolescents: Information for Oral Health Professionals
See announcement above.
Additional Resources
Improving the Health and Well-Being of Rural Communities Through Collaboration
The HRSA-sponsored Rural Health Information Hub presents a webinar that introduces a new HRSA product, A Guide for Rural Healthcare Collaboration and Coordination. Hear how rural hospitals, community health centers, local public health departments, and other rural stakeholders work together to assess and address their rural communities’ health needs. The webinar will highlight two innovative rural health organizations that have developed strategies to meet population health goals, address social risk factors, and improve health outcomes. It will also share solutions to support rural health organizations’ financial viability and lessons learned.
Thursday, August 15
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Transformational Change: Building a Patient-Centered Culture
Building a strong, effective, patient-centered culture leads to improved safety and quality, improved efficiencies, and reduced costs. Health center leaders set the tone for creating a culture in which patients receive better care and employees enjoy their work.
ECRI Institute presents a webinar, on behalf of HRSA, offering an opportunity for health centers and free clinics to learn practical strategies to manage change and improve the culture of their organizations. It will feature Gary Kaplan, M.D., Chairman and CEO of Virginia Mason Health System (Seattle, Washington).
Thursday, August 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
ECRI Institute also offers resources to assist leaders in spreading change throughout their organization from the top down.
- Use Tools for Leadership to communicate about important risk and safety issues with your organization's senior leadership.
- Check out the e-Learn course library for courses on culture of safety, communication, and administration in primary care.
- Address behaviors that undermine a culture of safety by referring to the following resources:
All resources are provided at no cost to health centers, free clinics, look-alikes, and Primary Care Associations on behalf of HRSA. Contact Clinical_RM_Program@ecri.org for access or assistance.
 Health Center Resource Clearinghouse
HRSA and 20 National Cooperative Agreement (NCA) organizations developed and continue to enhance the Health Center Resource Clearinghouse. It provides an up-to-date selection of high-quality TA resources relevant to health centers. The Clearinghouse collects, in a single location, resources on a variety of topics created by HRSA’s TA partners. The site is searchable by keyword, topic area, type of resource, and other search fields. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) administers the site on behalf of HRSA and 20 NCA partners. Learn more about these partners.
29th Annual Midwest Stream Forum for Agricultural Worker Health
The National Center for Farmworker Health, a HRSA-funded NCA, announces registration for the Midwest Stream Forum for Agricultural Worker Health, September 25-27. Educational sessions will be offered addressing critical HHS priority topics, including diabetes prevention and treatment, childhood obesity, opioids, HIV, social risk factors, agricultural worker identification, and increasing access to health care. Continuing education credits (CEUs) will be available through recognized accrediting bodies in nursing (CNE), medicine (CME), social work (CEU), and Texas Community Health Workers (CHWs) (non-certified DSHS CEUs). Learn more or register.
32nd Annual East Coast Migrant Stream Forum
Join the North Carolina Community Health Center Association, a HRSA-funded PCA and 200 of your colleagues for the 32nd annual East Coast Migrant Stream Forum, October 9-11, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Plenary and educational sessions will address HHS priority topics, including chronic disease prevention and management, childhood obesity, ending the HIV epidemic, opioids and other SUD, behavioral health, emergency preparedness, the CHW workforce, and social risk factors, with CEUs available. Learn more or register.
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