What's New
Fiscal Year 2021 Health Center Program Funding
The President’s fiscal year (FY) 2021 Budget includes $5.7 billion for health centers, including $4 billion in mandatory resources, to continue providing services to nearly 30 million patients at approximately 13,000 health center service delivery sites in medically underserved communities throughout the country. HRSA has issued application guidance for FY 2021 Health Center Program continuation awards and is in the process of reviewing applications. Congress recently passed and the President signed continuing resolution H.R. 8337, which provides a portion of the anticipated Health Center Program discretionary and mandatory funding through December 11, 2020. At this time, HRSA anticipates providing partial FY 2021 continuation funding to health centers based on the available FY 2021 funding.
2019 National Survey of Children’s Health Data Now Available
HRSA released 2019 data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) on Monday, October 5—Child Health Day. The NSCH provides the latest national and state-level data on the health and health care needs of children as well as information about their families and communities.
Survey topics include children’s physical and mental health; health insurance status; access to and utilization of health care services, including receipt of preventive and specialty care, Patient-Centered Medical Home, and services to support transition to adult health care for adolescents; lifetime exposure to adverse childhood experiences; and more.
The survey is funded and directed by HRSA and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, which oversees sampling, survey administration, and production of a final data set for public use. Check out HRSA’s social media to like, share, and retweet.
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Deadline Reminders: Service Area Competition Applications for April 1 and May 1 Starts
Service Area Competition (SAC) HRSA-21-005 applications for April 1 starts are due in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 15.
SAC HRSA-21-006 applications for May 1 starts are due in:
- Grants.gov: Monday, October 19, by 11:59 p.m. ET.
- EHBs: Thursday, November 19, by 5:00 p.m. ET.
Technical assistance (TA) materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.
Progress Reporting Module Now Open: LAL ECT and COVID-19 Funding Recipients
The first progress report for 2020 Look-Alike Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing (LAL ECT) recipients is due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, October 12. Visit the LAL ECT TA webpage or watch the TA webinar for more details and guidance. The recording may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. For assistance, contact us.
The second COVID-19 progress report for HRSA-funded health centers is also due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, October 12. The reporting module is now open in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks. Progress report resources that detail requirementsare available on these TA webpages:
View the progress report TA webinar for additional guidance.
For both health centers and look-alikes: We encourage you to complete your reports as early as possible—especially because some of you may be off for the holiday on October 12.
UDS Mapper Celebrates 10 Years with Modernized Website
The UDS (Uniform Data System) Mapper, a mapping and decision-support tool depicting the geographic extent of health centers, is celebrating 10 years of service with the relaunch of its website! The site has a modernized and streamlined look and feel, and includes enhancements to the UDS Mapper tool, newly updated with 2019 UDS data. Additionally, you can now access U.S. Census population data—such as race/ethnicity, insurance status, poverty, and employment—and map your own data at the census, county, or state level.
Complete the Readiness to Train Assessment Tool
HRSA’s Health Professions Education and Training (HP-ET) Initiative will use the Readiness to Train Assessment Tool (RTAT™) developed by Community Health Center (CHC), Inc., to help health centers assess and improve their readiness to engage in health professions training programs. CHC, Inc., is a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).
The HRSA HP-ET Initiative will enhance health centers’ capabilities to recruit, develop, and retain their workforce by exposing health and allied health professions students, trainees, and residents to education and training programs conducted at health centers. Primary Care Associations (PCAs) will use the results of the RTAT™ to expand targeted workforce training and TA capabilities by working with health centers in their respective states on focused strategic workforce plan activities intended to increase health center capacity with recruitment efforts.
Your PCA should have provided the link to the RTAT™. Contact your PCA with any questions.
Important Update: 2020 UDS Reporting Manual Re-Released
We’ve made changes to the 2020 UDS Reporting Manual to reflect the current health care landscape. These changes include:
- Updated coding for human trafficking.
- Updated coding for SARS-CoV-2-related testing.
- Statement alignment for depression remission scoring.
- Additional reporting lines added to Table 9E for COVID-19-related funding.
- Addition of COVID-19 vaccination question in Appendix E.
This version, dated August 21, 2020, supersedes any previous version of the 2020 UDS manual. Please be sure to use the updated manual in preparing 2020 UDS reports due in EHBs by February 15, 2021. For additional UDS reporting resources, visit our UDS Resources webpage.
As a related reminder, we will hold TA webinars this fall. Please see the training schedule and register in advance to receive materials. Don’t miss Thursday’s session!
UDS Clinical Tables Part 3: Disease Management
Thursday, October 8
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Register here
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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in Response to Executive Order 13937
Last week, HHS released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in response to Executive Order 13937: Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications.
On Friday, July 24, the President signed a series of Executive Orders (EO 13937, EO 13938, EO 13939) to lower the price of prescription drugs. The NPRM is to increase access to affordable insulin and injectable epinephrine for low-income Americans in health centers nationwide. See the related fact sheet.
The NPRM is available for public comment for 30 days. Interested parties can submit comments electronically to the Federal eRulemaking Portal by following the instructions. Comments must be identified by HHS Docket No. HRSA-2020-0004.
Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Congratulations again to all our Quality Improvement Awards recipients! As soon as it’s available, we will post the recording from last week’s Today with Macrae on the COVID-19 Information for Health Centers webpage.
Our colleagues from HRSA’s Office of Regional Operations (ORO) are a vital partner in increasing the reach and impact of the Health Center Program in innovative ways. Connect with your regional office for further support—ORO is your HRSA ambassador in the field!
Jim encouraged everyone to watch these recent webinars if you missed them:
Save the date for these upcoming Today with Macrae sessions (both at 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET):
Thursday, October 29
Tuesday, December 1
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Tool for Rural Grant Eligibility Updated
HRSA updated the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer tool to include the Office of Management and Budget-revised delineations for metropolitan, micropolitan, and combined statistical areas.
FORHP Funding Opportunities
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Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program: HRSA has released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program (Outreach) (HRSA-21-027). HRSA plans to award 60 grants to rural communities as part of this funding opportunity. Read more, including about a TA session for applicants scheduled for Tuesday, October 13.
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Rural Health Network Development Planning: HRSA released the NOFO for the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program (Network Planning) (HRSA-21-021). HRSA plans to award 20 grants to rural communities as part of this funding opportunity. Read more, including about a TA session for applicants scheduled for Wednesday, October 7.
Draft Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan 2021-2025
HHS also invites public comment on a viral hepatitis national strategic plan that provides a framework to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Comment by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 8.
COVID-19
Provider Recruitment and Retention Training for Health Centers: Addressing Issues with Staffing, Recruiting, and Retention in the Face of a Pandemic
Staffing related shortages are a common barrier identified by health centers. To address this challenge, HRSA, HRSA-funded NTTAPs, and a health center will present on recruitment and retention promising practices and provide resources during the webinar.
Tuesday, October 27
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Join the webinar the day of the session
Call-in: 888-323-9689
Passcode: 7945934
After this webinar, you will be able to:
- Identify tools and resources to manage staff recruitment and retention in light of COVID-19.
- Address recruitment, retention, and staffing issues.
COVID-19 Health Center Survey – We Want to Hear from You
Last week, 69% of health centers and 62% of Health Center Program look-alikes submitted data through the weekly COVID-19 survey. Let’s beat that this week!
The survey you received on Friday, October 2, is due by 11:59 p.m. your local time today. Questions on how to complete the survey? Check out our User Guide.
COVID-19 One-Stop Shop Toolkits
CDC has released COVID-19 one-stop shop toolkits. The toolkits provide guidance to communicate with specific target audiences, such as young adults, childcare programs and summer camps, K-12 schools, and workplaces. They include videos, social media, PSAs, print resources, checklists, FAQs, and web resources. Use and tell your patients about these communication toolkits to help meet their diverse needs to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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FAQs
We continually update our COVID-19 FAQs webpage. Other resources:
What Health Centers Need to Know about the CARES Act: An Interactive Resource Guide
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), passed on March 27, provides over $2 trillion in stimulus funding to combat the economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Corporation for Supportive Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, created an interactive resource guide for health centers. It focuses on CARES Act funding directed to states, local governments, and community organizations through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to support people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness.
Community Partnerships to Address the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Residents of Public Housing
The National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC) and the National Center for Health in Public Housing, both HRSA-funded NTTTAPs, invite health centers to join a four-part learning collaborative to address the negative health impacts of COVID-19 in vulnerable populations.
The pandemic and its associated mitigation strategies are having significant psychosocial, behavioral, socioeconomic, and health impacts, which are exacerbated in populations that experience health disparities and other vulnerable groups. Those experiencing health disparities prior to the pandemic are at increased risk of infection and other COVID-19 related consequences, such as job loss, unpaid leave, and lost wages. Given the urgent need for prevention and mitigation strategies, there is also a need to leverage and scale existing partnerships, resources and platforms, and ongoing mitigation efforts within communities to attenuate adverse outcomes. Up to 4 CME/CNE credits are available for participation in this learning collaborative. Get more information or register now.
Diabetes
Call for Applications: Integrating Diabetes and Oral Health Learning Collaborative
The National Network for Oral Health Access, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, invites health centers to participate in a virtual learning collaborative on integrating diabetes and oral health. The goal is to improve outcomes for people with diabetes by increasing the number of dual users of medical and dental services. Health center staff and dental care providers may benefit from this opportunity. Learn more or apply by noon ET on Friday, October 9.
National Diabetes Prevention Program: Lessons Learned for PCAs and Health Centers
Last fall, AAPCHO and NNCC facilitated a national webinar and four-part learning collaborative for health center and PCA stakeholders. Now they invite you to hear federal updates from HRSA and CDC leaders, as well as lessons learned and diabetes prevention best practices for health center and PCA colleagues.
Wednesday, October 14
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Register here
Workforce
Provider Recruitment and Retention Training For Health Centers: Addressing Issues with Staffing, Recruiting, and Retention in the Face of a Pandemic
See the announcement above.
HRSA's Virtual Job Fair
HRSA’s Virtual Job Fairs are free online recruitment events that connect students and clinicians with health care delivery organizations. Employer registration is closed, but job seekers may still register.
Wednesday, October 7
6:45-10:15 p.m. ET
Job seeker registration – If you are a health care professional seeking a career helping rural and underserved communities.
Oral Health
Updated Recommendations about the Use of Dental Amalgam
The FDA recently provided updated recommendations about the use of dental amalgam. This information has potentially a very large impact on dentistry, particularly public health dental programs.
Call for Applications: Integrating Diabetes and Oral Health Learning Collaborative
See the announcement above.
Telehealth
Hybrid Health Center: Building Systems that Sustainably Support both Telehealth and In-Person Care
To support health centers with developing and enhancing a hybrid model of telehealth and in-person care, the Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center is launching a learning collaborative. Participants attend four structured virtual learning sessions with discussion topics including:
- A framework for telehealth services
- Application of the telehealth framework to hybrid care and defining a multi-stage approach to offering in-person care
- Barriers to accessing telehealth or in-person care and strategies to overcome them.
- Determining next steps to enhance hybrid care.
Learn more or register by Wednesday, October 14.
HITEQ Highlights: Telehealth Considerations and Strategies for Special and Vulnerable Populations
This webinar will focus on strategies to reach and serve special and vulnerable populations using telehealth. Special and vulnerable populations include migratory and seasonal agricultural workers, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, people with limited English proficiency, and rural communities with limited access to broadband. We will share how telehealth promotes health equity and increases overall access to quality health care for special and vulnerable populations.
Thursday, October 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
This webinar is presented through a partnership of four HRSA-funded NTTAPs: the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders, the National Center for Farmworker Health, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, and the HITEQ Center.
Patient Confidentiality and Telehealth Package for Health Centers
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), a HRSA-funded NTTAP, has produced a packet containing guidance on immediate and long-term telehealth/patient confidentiality questions relevant to health centers across the country. The resources provide risk management considerations for a sustainable telehealth program.
Additional Resources
NACHC Training and Technical Assistance Fact Sheet
This newly updated fact sheet provides information on how NACHC's work plan, federal, state and national partnerships, and training and resource delivery strategically align with the health center mission.
Social Determinants of Health Screening Learning Collaborative
Farmworker Justice, Health Outreach Partners, Migrant Clinicians Network, MHP Salud, and the National Center for Farmworker Health (all HRSA-funded NTTAPs) present a multidisciplinary learning collaborative designed for staff of community and migrant health centers. The purpose is to increase the number of health centers that screen for social determinants of health (SDOH) affecting migratory and seasonal agricultural workers. Health center staff recommended to participate include clinical supervisors and coordinators, medical assistants, patient navigators, community health workers, and front office workers. This learning collaborative takes place in 2021. Learn more or register here.
Supporting Implementation of Smoking Cessation Programs in Health Center Settings
The National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, invites health center staff to join a learning collaborative that will help you successfully implement a smoking cessation program. Participants will identify barriers to implementation—and strategies to overcome those—through:
- A didactic webinar, covering the behavioral aspects of cessation counseling, the FDA-approved medications for cessation, and some basic motivational interviewing techniques.
- A subsequent three sessions that will detail how to conduct each counseling session (whether individual or group).
Participants will receive a written protocol booklet for guiding actual sessions. Learn more or register now.
2020 Finance, Operations Management, and Information Technology Virtual Conference
NACHC presents an all-virtual learning and networking experience for health center CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CIOs, other financial and operational staff, and industry experts. The conference program highlights include 21 dynamic educational sessions, cutting-edge keynote and state-of-the industry addresses, interactive collaboration with peers, and more. Participants will learn how to build resilient organizations, develop innovative solutions, and successfully transform and respond to COVID-19. Learn more or register now. Online registration ends next Tuesday, October 13.
2020 CHAMPS/Northwest Regional PCA Fall Primary Care Conference
The 2020 CHAMPS/Northwest Regional PCA Fall Primary Care Conference will be held online on October 19-22. Speakers will provide education and training, information and resource sharing, coalition building, and program and policy development for like-minded community health professionals and their partners. Learn more or register now.
Million Hearts® 2nd Edition Hypertension Control Change Package is Available
Million Hearts® 2022, a national initiative co-led by CDC and CMS, strives to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes within five years by focusing on undiagnosed hypertension, cholesterol management, and tobacco use.
CDC recently updated the Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Change Package. For additional resources from Million Hearts® 2022 and information on how your health center can become a partner, visit the Million Hearts® website.
Culturally Competent Care Learning Collaborative
The National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, invites health centers to join a four-part learning collaborative to learn about the adoption of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Participants will gain competencies to treat an increasingly diverse population. The interactive sessions will cover the fundamentals of cultural competency, language access, and building community partnerships through a combination of case studies and didactic learning.
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