What's New
COVID-19 Progress Report Due Friday, July 10
The first COVID-19 progress report is due Friday, July 10. The reporting module opens in EHBs on Wednesday, July 1. Progress report resources, detailing requirements, are available on these technical assistance web pages:
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Updated Patient Targets
Over the coming week, HRSA will send a tailored EHBs patient target email to each Health Center Program award recipient that will complete a Budget Period Progress Report (BPR) for fiscal year (FY) 2021. The email will include a direct link to your updated patient target in EHBs. (NOTE: Email notices sent by EHBs come from ‘HRSA GEMS’: oitgems@hrsa.gov. By adding this email address to a “safe senders” or contacts list, you may avoid messages going to your junk folder.)
While the updated patient target will appear in your BPR, no review or response on the patient target is required. Patient Target Frequently Asked Questions are available at the Service Area Competition (SAC) technical assistance (TA) webpage. You may submit unanswered questions through Health Center Program Support (select “Patient Targets” on the “BPHC Category” screen).
As a reminder, the vast majority of health centers will complete a BPR in FY 2021. HRSA will soon extend the project periods of health centers with current 2-year or 3-year project periods that end in FY 2021, and these health centers will complete a BPR, rather than a SAC, in FY 2021. Please contact your Project Officer if you have any questions.
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SAC Notices of Funding Opportunity Released for March 1 Starts
HRSA released the FY 2021 SAC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), HRSA-21-004. This NOFO announces services areas where the current award recipient is in a 1-year project period that ends February 28, 2021. Applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 24, and in EHBs by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 24.
Current award recipients should refer to box 6 of the most recent Notice of Award to obtain their project period length and end date. TA materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.
Ending the HIV Epidemic – Primary Care HIV Prevention Progress Reporting Question & Answer Session
We will host a live question and answer session for all Primary Care HIV Prevention (PCHP) grantees regarding the grantee progress report and its submission. We invite all PCHP grantees and Project Officers to attend. The PCHP supplemental funding webpage now includes a pre-recorded webinar and progress report guide. We encourage you to review these resources before the session.
Thursday, July 16
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Call-in: 888-677-5803
Passcode: 1002077
Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Here are some of the resources mentioned during yesterday’s session:
As a reminder, we post the presentations, recordings, and transcripts on our COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners webpage as soon as we’re able.
Save the date for these upcoming sessions (all at 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET):
Tuesday, July 14
Tuesday, July 28
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HIV Testing Trends at Visits to Physician Offices, Community Health Centers, and Emergency Departments
CDC has recommended routine opt-out HIV testing since 2006, but the percentage of ambulatory care visits at which an HIV test is performed has remained low. In their new report, CDC says that HIV testing increased more at community health centers than at emergency departments or at physician offices.
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Look-Alike Designation Periods Ending in FY 2021 Extended
To provide flexibility during this time of COVID-19 pandemic response, HRSA extended the designation periods of the majority of health center look-alikes scheduled to complete a Renewal of Designation (RD) in FY 2021. Look-alikes whose current 3-year designation period ends in FY 2021 will receive a 12-month extension and will complete an Annual Certification rather than an RD in FY 2021. HRSA notified each of the affected look-alikes about the extended designation period through a Notice of Look-Alike Designation.
Based on statutory requirements, look-alikes in a current 1-year designation period will still complete an FY 2021 RD. Submit questions through Health Center Program Support.
Quarterly 340B Program Registration
Quarterly 340B Program site registration is open from July 1 to 15. Health centers will still be able to register a site that has been verified as implemented and with a site status reflected as “active” in EHBs Form 5B through Friday, August 21. After that date, the system will close to prepare for the October 1 start. Email the 340B call center or call 888-340-2787 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET) to register a new site or ask questions.
You will need to provide the following information when calling:
- Health center name.
- Site/clinic name.
- Site IDs for all sites.
- HRSA/BPHC grant number.
- Contact name and email address.
- Authorizing official name and email address.
The authorizing official will receive an email message that the account is unlocked and a registration may be submitted.
PhotoVoice Learning Collaborative Digital Exhibit
In 2017, the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP)) established a PhotoVoice Learning Collaborative to address the stigma of homelessness. This three-year project with eight participating health centers included both national and local exhibits to increase awareness and knowledge and provide an opportunity to share local participants’ stories. Learn more and view the digital exhibit (best viewed in Chrome or Firefox).
COVID-19
HHS Requests Information About Public Health and Health System Adaptation for COVID-19
HHS issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather feedback about how public health and health systems have adapted to address COVID-19. The request asks for opportunities to strengthen the U.S. health care system through partnerships in data sharing and analytics. You’re invited to respond by Wednesday, July 8.
COVID-19 Survey Deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET TODAY
As a reminder, the survey you received on Friday, June 26, is due by 11:59 p.m. ET today. We recently created a User Guide to assist you in completing the survey.
As always, we’re grateful to all of the health centers and look-alikes that complete these weekly surveys! The input is invaluable—it allows us to better understand training and TA, funding, and other health center resource needs. Using it, we can track COVID-19’s impact on health center operations, staff, and patients.
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Updated Guidance for Health Care Facilities: Managing Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
CDC updated its guidance for health care facilities to reflect the current understanding of health care systems and facilities for managing operations during the pandemic.
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Many federal organizations, HRSA-funded NTTAPs, 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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Resources
NIH Opportunities
From the National Association of Community Health Centers
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is a HRSA-funded NTTAP. These are some of the resources they have recently made available:
- For health center boards: Visit the Health Center Resource Clearinghouse COVID-19 page and select “Governance” to find information from NACHC on virtual board meetings, financial oversight, and strategic considerations given the current public health emergency.
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Re-Opening Dental Practices during COVID-19: Legal Analysis provides brief analysis of FTCA coverage, malpractice liability, CDC guidance, and applicable OSHA rules. It is also available in Spanish via the same link.
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Strategies to Manage Financial Operations During COVID-19 Response and Recovery is a five-part podcast series. Topics include managing your health center’s cash flow, paycheck protection, the Provider Relief Fund, grants management, and staffing. The final session, “Cash Flow Concerns,” is now available.
USDA Announces Second Application Window for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Funding
The USDA Rural Development announced a second application window for funding under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program due to the current public health emergency. This program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Eligible applicants include most entities that provide education or health care through telecommunications. Apply by Monday, July 13.
Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder During COVID-19 and Beyond: Using the AHRQ Academy Playbook
HRSA's Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health TA will share promising practices on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder during COVID-19 and how the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Academy Playbook can support this work.
Thursday, July 16
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Presenters will share:
- Tips and strategies that health centers can use at each stage of implementation.
- Emerging treatment models.
- Technologies and challenges of managing poly-substance use.
- Resources included in the AHRQ Academy Playbook.
- A case study from a health center in Maine (Penobscot Community Health Care).
To register, please create an account on the HRSA Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health TA's website.
Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders
SAMHSA’s new guide supports health care providers, systems, and communities seeking to treat stimulant use disorders. It describes relevant research findings, examines best practices, identifies knowledge gaps and implementation challenges, and offers useful resources.
Cross-Sectional Innovation to Improve Rural Postpartum Mental Health Challenge
One in seven mothers experiences a postpartum mental health condition, defined as the onset of depression or anxiety within one year of birth. AHRQ is holding a competition to improve postpartum mental health care for rural American families. Learn more at an upcoming webinar:
Tuesday, June 30
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here
HIV
HIV Testing Trends at Visits to Physician Offices, Community Health Centers, and Emergency Departments
See the announcement above.
Ending the HIV Epidemic – PCHP Progress Reporting Question & Answer Session
See the announcement above.
Workforce
National Health Service Corps New Site Application Open
Health care facilities can now apply to be approved as a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site. Eligible locations include health care sites that provide outpatient, ambulatory and primary health care services (medical, dental, and behavioral health) to populations residing in high-need urban and rural areas. Additional eligible site types include facilities providing general substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, a MAT program, or an opioid treatment program. Applications are due Tuesday, July 21. Learn more about the NHSC new site application.
HRSA and the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) are hosting a webinar for potential applicants. Speakers will discuss eligibility, benefits to becoming an NHSC-approved site, and NHSC loan repayment programs specific to SUD and rural facilities.
Tuesday, June 30
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
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HRSA awards $107.2 million to Grow and Train the Health Workforce
HRSA provided $107. 2 million in funding to 310 recipients to increase the health workforce in rural and underserved communities. Recipients across 45 states and U.S. territories will receive funding to improve the quality, distribution, and diversity of health professionals serving across the country.
Additional Resources
Introduction to Hepatitis B: Testing and Best Practices
Learn about the epidemiology of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), including perinatal HBV and the natural history of HBV. Experts will also discuss the recommended screenings for HBV infection and interpretation of testing results to support early intervention and improved patient outcomes.
Wednesday, July 15
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions: Information for Patients
The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, has recently added four new language translations of its Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions: Information for Patients pamphlet. The pamphlet is now available in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, English, Farsi, Haitian Creole, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Taglog, and Vietnamese.
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”).
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