What's New
Electronic Handbooks Action Plan Privileges Now Simplified
Beginning this Friday, June 12, the Project Director role within HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) will automatically receive Action Plan privileges, which will eliminate your health center’s need to make a formal request. Your Project Director will also have the option to assign other users to Action Plans within the Grant Folder. This improvement will not affect existing Action Plans. See this EHBs help page for more information.
Testing Continues on Potential Modernizations to the Uniform Data System
The Uniform Data System (UDS) Test Cooperative (UTC) was established to systematically test proposed changes to UDS. In 2020, the UTC successfully kicked off testing to evaluate potential changes to modernize UDS reporting. Last year, the UTC completed the first test on aligning HRSA’s clinical quality measures (CQMs) with the CMS electronic CQMs to reduce reporting burden. UTC continues to test UDS modernization efforts to better understand the impacts and challenges with transitioning to automated reporting processes dependent on national electronic standards. HRSA will consider recommendations from UTC’s testing for potential implementation.
For more information, visit the UDS Modernization web page or UTC’s website, or read the UTC Fact Sheet.
Precision Medicine: All of Us Research Program Beta-Test New Data Platform
As an important step in the effort to accelerate new scientific discoveries, the All of Us Research Program at the National Institutes of Health has launched beta-testing for its Researcher Workbench. Investigators can now begin using the initial dataset and tools in studies and submit feedback to improve the platform. This early version of Researcher Workbench includes data from nearly 225,000 of the program’s first participants. 80% of All of Us participants are from groups that have been historically underrepresented in biomedical research. All of Us is a key partner in HRSA’s Advancing Precision Medicine Initiative.
COVID-19
Frequently Asked Questions
We continually update our COVID-19 FAQ webpage. Today we added this question:
What CMS flexibilities are available to health centers seeking Medicaid reimbursement for oral health services delivered through telehealth technology during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
As a reminder, we also have a page for coronavirus-related funding FAQs. The resources and links on our COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners webpage now include links to Provider Relief Fund FAQs/resources.
HRSA Fiscal and Grants Management Best Practices for Health Centers
BPHC and HRSA’s Office of Federal Assistance Management (OFAM) will host two sessions of a webinar highlighting key fiscal aspects to provide health centers with strategies to ensure compliance and properly manage all HRSA funding including each of your HRSA health center COVID-19 awards (H8C, H8D and H8E).
OFAM speakers will share best practices for managing your portfolio of HRSA funding and guidance on how to ensure all costs are allowable and support each respective grant and will discuss these key items:
- Examples of adequate supporting documentation for allowable costs under the health center and fiscal year 2020 COVID-19 awards.
- Budget and fiscal requirement reminders.
- Financial management system best practices (e.g., separation of funding by source, internal controls, etc.).
Both sessions will cover the same information and will end with a question and answer session. Submit a question ahead of time.
Wednesday, June 17
12:30-1:30 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Call-in: 888-566-7701
Passcode: 9747226
OR
Tuesday, June 23
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Call-in: 888-628-9525
Passcode: 9747226
COVID-19 Survey and User Guide
Last week, we made some changes to the weekly COVID-19 Survey we send to health centers and look-alikes. We clarified the types of testing we’re asking about, adding new questions about antibody testing, and reordered some of the questions. See the updated survey (scroll down for the version effective on June 5) and a new Quick Reference Guide that further explains the data we’re collecting. Thank you to all of you who continue to provide this critical insight into health center capacity and COVID-19’s impact on health center operations, patients, and staff.
CDC Contact Tracing Communications Toolkit
CDC continues to support state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments in their case investigation and contact tracing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. CDC recently released a new Interim COVID-19 Contact Tracing Communication Toolkit to assist health departments in sharing information about contact tracing with the public. CDC will continually add resources to this toolkit. For more information on guidelines, tools, and resources for states, tribes, localities, and territories, please visit CDC’s COVID-19 web page for health departments.
HIV Self-Testing
Health centers play an important role in Ending the HIV Epidemic by screening patients for risk and encouraging HIV testing. See our bulletin about supplementing HIV prevention efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Human Resources Office Hours - Leading During a Crisis: HR Leaders Responding to COVID-19
NACHC presents an opportunity to hear from one health center HR director who will discuss COVID-19’s impact in his area from a human resources perspective, the health center’s response, and what HR challenges are anticipated as the state begins to recover and reopen.
Tuesday, June 9
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Office Hours: Understanding Your Federal Funding Streams and Appropriate Stewardship
Join NACHC for an overview of the opportunities associated with federal funding streams related to COVID-19, including the Provider Relief Fund, Paycheck Protection Loans, and HRSA H8C, H8D, and H8E funding. The session will also address strategies for allocating expenses among the various streams, while ensuring compliance and avoiding double-dipping.
Friday, June 12
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Many federal organizations, HRSA-funded NCAs, and other partners are holding COVID-19-related webinars. Our Technical Assistance Calendar lists more of them and includes descriptions and registration information.
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Coronavirus Q&A With Anthony Fauci, MD
Last week, NIAID Director Anthony Fauci discussed recent developments in the global COVID-19 pandemic with JAMA Editor Howard Bauchner. See the video.
The Importance of Securing Prescription Drugs
The Office of National Drug Control Policy recently re-emphasized the importance, particularly during the COVID-19 public health emergency, of the safe storage and disposal of prescription drugs. Prescription drug overdoses frequently occur due to the availability of unused, unwanted, unmonitored, or expired medication in the home. With children and families spending more time at home due to school closures, lockdown measures, and social distancing, it is more critical than ever to educate parents, patients, and caregivers on how to properly store and dispose of medications. While the DEA’s 2020 Take Back Day was postponed, other options are available for disposing of unused, unwanted, and expired prescription medications. CDC and the FDA provide additional information and educational resources.
Resources
Adapt, Refocus, and Retool: How Health Center Boards Can Support a Focus on the Future
This short article from NACHC will help boards and CEOs strategically initiate conversation about the future and prepare to adapt in a collaborative way given COVID-19.
Field Inspiration Video Series: Health Center Leaders Encouraging Resilience and Finding Inspiration
NACHC invited health center leaders to offer encouragement and inspiration to those on the frontlines of COVID-19. In the fifth video in the series, Eloisa Perard, President & Chief Administrative Officer at QueensCare Health Centers in Los Angeles, CA, reminds health center leaders that “even though we’ve never seen anything like the COVID pandemic in our lifetimes . . . we are very fortunate to earn a living doing good for others” and “we are a lifeline.”
Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health
PCMH Office Hours: Behavioral Health
This interactive forum allows health centers to ask National Committee for Quality Assurance subject matter experts questions regarding the importance of behavioral health integration and how the PCMH model assists providers in addressing their patient's behavioral health.
Tuesday, June 9
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Experts Available to Answer Your Questions about Behavioral Health Integrated Care
Does your health center:
- Have a behavioral health provider on staff, but patients have not wholeheartedly embraced their services?
- Worry that patients with behavioral health needs are slipping through the cracks due to service delivery through telehealth?
- Have a primary care team who feels over their heads with the emotional needs of patients?
Submit a Virtual Technical Assistance (TA) request today to receive tailored TA support on these questions and more from the HRSA Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Technical Assistance.
If you’re interested in more intensive support, consider practice transformation coaching to help your team meet its integration goals. Coaching includes assessing your health center’s current state, prioritizing areas of focus for coaching, and making long lasting changes at the organization. To sign up, first create an account on the Center's website, then request coaching from the Practice Transformation page.
HIV
TODAY: National HIV Testing Day 2020 Webinar
Today, CDC’s Let’s Stop HIV Together team will present a national partner webinar for National HIV Testing Day (Saturday, June 27):
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Speakers will present plans and opportunities unique to this year, give a preview of new products developed for the event, and highlight existing Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign resources to support your health center’s National HIV Testing Day efforts.
HIV Self-Testing
Health centers play an important role in Ending the HIV Epidemic by screening patients for risk and encouraging HIV testing. See our bulletin about supplementing HIV prevention efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ready, Set, PrEP Updates
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 response, HHS is adapting the Ready, Set, PrEP program to help ensure patient retention in ongoing PrEP care and adherence to PrEP HIV prevention medications, and reduce the burden on the nation’s health care providers and health care systems. This includes special override requests for 90-day fills in some cases and automatic extensions of eligibility. Read the full announcement.
2020 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care and Treatment is Going Virtual
The 2020 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care and Treatment is officially going virtual! The conference dates will remain August 11-14, but the times will be adjusted to accommodate different time zones. Registered participants are still encouraged to attend the full length of the conference, however the virtual platform would allow for more flexibility.
Registration will remain open until Friday, July 31! We are also pleased to offer digital exhibiting opportunities. Submit a request to exhibit today.
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Workforce
HRSA Awards $20.3 million for the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program
HRSA provided funding to 44 recipients to increase the number of fellows at addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry fellowship programs. These specialists have the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive behavioral health care to underserved populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the Addiction Medicine Fellowship program.
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Additional Resources
Webinar Series: Accountable Care Academy
NACHC’s Accountable Care Academy focuses on the fundamental considerations for risk-based contracts and how to prepare health centers for participation in arrangements with risk. Visit NACHC’s website for more information or to register for sessions (find this series under “Upcoming Operations Management Webinars.”)
Enabling Services Data Collection: Documenting Health Center Interventions in a Value-Based Payment Environment
Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations and Health Outreach Partners, both HRSA-funded NCAs, recently hosted this webinar to share the importance of documenting social determinants of health (SDOH) interventions to demonstrate the value and scope of health center enabling services (ES). View the recording and resources.
In case you missed it: Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.
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