What's New
Today with Macrae: Health Center Updates
We’ve extended the time for this Thursday’s Today with Macrae. We have a number of updates and want to make sure we spend time talking about COVID-19 vaccine deployment.
Thursday, January 21
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Call-in: 800-857-9804
Passcode: 9473292
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Application Deadline Approaching: FY 2021 Ending the HIV Epidemic - Primary Care HIV Prevention Funding
Through the FY 2021 Ending the HIV Epidemic – Primary Care HIV Prevention (PCHP) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (HRSA-21-092), HRSA will invest approximately $48 million in health centers in the 57 geographic locations identified by Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America to expand HIV prevention services. TA resources, including an eligibility list, are available on the PCHP TA webpage.
FY 2021 PCHP applications are due in:
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Grants.gov: Monday, February 8 (11:59 p.m. ET).
- HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs): Monday, March 1 (5:00 p.m. ET).
Please join the upcoming PCHP question and answer session for applicants:
Thursday, January 21
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Call-in: 800-988-9610
Passcode: 8050132
COVID Awards – Project Periods Ending
Project periods for awards provided to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency will end within the next few months:
- COVID-19 (H8C) ends on Sunday, March 14.
- CARES (H8D) ends on Wednesday, March 31.
- Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing (ECT) (H8E) ends on Tuesday, April 30.
- Look-Alikes ECT (L1C) ends on Wednesday, June 30.
If your health center has already completed award activity—and reported this in your quarterly progress reports—we may shorten your project period to complete a timely closeout of these grants. In that case, you will receive a Notice of Award shortening the project period. It will include a revised Federal Financial Report due date.
If you think your health center will not complete award activity by the end dates noted above, you may request an extension without funds (also known as a no-cost extension). You’ll be able to complete your projects using the remaining funds. If you expect to need such an extension, please contact your Grants Management Specialist and Project Officer to discuss the requirements for submitting the request in EHBs.
FY 2021 Health Center Controlled Networks Non-Competing Continuation Progress Reports Now Available
HRSA has released the FY 2021 Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCN) Non-Competing Continuation (NCC) progress report instructions. NCC progress report submissions are due in EHBs on Thursday, March 18 (5:00 p.m. ET). For more information, including the progress report instructions and TA resources (including recording of the TA webinar), visit the HCCN TA webpage.
Participate in the upcoming HCCN NCC Q&A session:
Wednesday, January 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Call-in: 888-390-0787
Passcode: 8422249
Less Than One Month: Uniform Data System 2020 Reporting Season
The Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting period for calendar year 2020 has started. All HRSA-funded health centers are required to submit complete and accurate UDS reports by Monday, February 15.
Upon successful submission, we will assign your UDS report to a UDS reviewer who will work with you throughout March to finalize your data submission. We will not allow changes after Wednesday, March 31.
The 2020 UDS Manual and other resources are available on HRSA’s website to help you complete an accurate report. The manual includes an introduction to the UDS, instructions for completing each of the tables, and information on how to submit the UDS through EHBs.
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HRSA Seeks Health Center Patients to Share Thoughts and Opinions on Health
HRSA seeks English-speaking health center patients to participate in virtual discussions about health. Patient feedback will help HRSA create easy to understand health materials for everyone. We’ll hold 90-minute Zoom sessions in March and May. Participants will receive monetary payment. If you have patients who may be interested, please have them email Heidi Palacios or call (972) 503-3100 x407.
Please respond by Sunday, February 28. Note: Not all who express interest will be able to participate, as we are aiming to speak with individuals representing a variety of backgrounds.
Contacted Health Center Program Support? Rate Our Service
Whether you've had a pleasant experience or feel we could do better, the Health Center Program Support team would like to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the customer service survey embedded in the auto-generated email you receive after we resolve your issue or complete your request.
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COVID-19
Microplanning for COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery in Health Centers
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)* has developed a two-page guide that shares “microplanning” steps for health centers to use for COVID-19 vaccination. For more resources to help health centers with vaccination, visit NACHC’s Building the Capacity of Community Health Centers to Respond to COVID-19 webpage. *NACHC is a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP), but used CDC funding for this resource.
Treating Long COVID: Clinician Experience with Post-Acute COVID-19 Care
Patients and clinicians across the nation are reporting long-term effects of COVID-19, commonly referred to as “long COVID.” During this CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call, presenters will share their firsthand experiences with treating long COVID, focusing on the pulmonary, neurologic, and psychological aspects. They will also describe their experiences with establishing clinics that provide care for patients with these long-term effects. Get more information about this session.
Thursday, January 28
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
**CE credit available**
Living Through the Pandemic: What CAN You Do?
As we begin a new year witnessing both the ongoing suffering from COVID-19 and a sense of optimism for vaccination efforts, join the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, for a coffee chat reflecting on the pandemic and its impact on us as individuals and as a community. The facilitated discussion will focus on moral injury and burnout. Participants will be able to share their experiences of the pandemic and share tools for supporting well-being.
Friday, January 29
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Behavioral Health Patients and Staff
The pandemic has forced behavioral health programs to alter many of the traditional tools of behavioral health care delivery at a time when such services within community health centers are in high demand. This webinar, presented by a HRSA contractor, focuses on considering and addressing the behavioral health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tuesday, February 9
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here
HHS Launches Web-Based Locator for COVID-19 Outpatient Treatment Sites for Monoclonal Antibodies
A web-based COVID-19 outpatient treatment locator maintained by HHS is now available to assist health care providers and patients in finding potential locations for treatment with monoclonal antibody therapeutics. These medicines are authorized for emergency use in treating patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing severe symptoms and requiring hospitalization. Read the news release.
Update on Health Center and Look-Alike COVID-19 Survey
For the COVID-19 weekly survey, several health centers have asked who should be included in their response to the number of patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Please include both health center patients your health center vaccinated and health center patients who may have received the vaccination elsewhere (if you have a record of the immunization). Also include the count of all other individuals to whom you provided the COVID-19 vaccine, with the exception of your staff who are captured in a separate question.
We also want to let you know that, beginning with the February 5 survey, we’ll remove the two flu vaccine questions (#15 and 16).
We continue to appreciate your participation in the survey and your feedback. These recent changes stem directly from your feedback:
- We numbered the questions so you can more easily use the Survey Tool User Guide, which allows you to quickly “jump” to the instructions for any question.
- Before you submit your answers, you’ll see a summary of your responses, which you can save as a PDF or print. You’ll also have the opportunity to make any needed corrections before you submit.
New Telehealth Tools on Telehealth.HHS.gov
Telehealth.HHS.gov has added two new telehealth resources for health care providers supported by HRSA’s Licensure Portability Program and CARES Act funding.
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ProviderBridge.org assists in mobilizing volunteer health care professionals to treat patients during public health emergencies. The site supports medical license portability to connect health care professionals with state agencies and health care entities to increase access to care for patients in rural and underserved communities. The site also provides state-by-state telehealth information and resources to assist providers with telehealth licensure questions.
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Licensureproject.org provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing for psychologists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, and social workers. Resources include state-specific tools related to licensure, telehealth, and COVID-19, as well as online and phone support.
Increasing Staff Capacity to Respond to Intimate Partner Violence/Human Trafficking during COVID-19
Futures Without Violence’s National Health Network on Intimate Partner Violence and Human Trafficking invites you to learn a combination of self-care and organizational practice strategies to help prevent provider burnout and bolster staff readiness for implementing CUES (Confidentiality, Universal Education + Empowerment, Support).
Wednesday, January 20
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Futures Without Violence is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Creating Effective COVID-19 Contact Tracing Initiatives for Agricultural Workers, Their Families, and Other Vulnerable Populations
Learn the history of contact tracing and current efforts, including the experience of a health center in PA that developed effective COVID-19 contact tracing in the agricultural worker population. This webinar is hosted by Migrant Clinicians Network, a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Thursday, January 28
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs of Unsheltered and Vulnerable Populations during the Pandemic
HRSA’s Office of Regional Operations invites health centers to join a webinar focused on how providers can help persons experiencing homelessness, including those with substance use disorders (SUD). Speakers include leadership from Duffy Health Center in Hyannis, MA.
Thursday, January 28
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
FAQs and Resources
We recently added a Vaccines category to our COVID-19 FAQ webpage. Other resources on HRSA’s site include our coronavirus-related funding FAQ page and COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners.
CDC’s vaccine site has resources for clinicians and patients and answers to common questions. This includes links to the latest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations and the COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit.
Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health
Buprenorphine for Adults with SUD and Co-Occurring Pain
Consultants from the HRSA-funded National Substance Use Warmline will provide a detailed discussion of buprenorphine, which can be used effectively for managing chronic pain in patients with SUD. Speakers will also highlight therapeutic approaches that have evolved recently for initiating buprenorphine. Following this webinar, participants will be able to more confidently assess and manage pain in persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) and other SUD.
Wednesday, February 3
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Communities of Practice – Behavioral Health and SUD Care Integration
JBS International, a HRSA-funded TA provider, invites health centers to join upcoming communities of practice (CoP) on topics that support behavioral health and SUD care integration services in primary care. The first two CoPs will begin in February and conclude in April. Participants will meet weekly to share best practices. Get more information or register now.
New Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Opportunities
Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Behavioral Health Patients and Staff
See the announcement above.
Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs of Unsheltered and Vulnerable Populations during the Pandemic
See the announcement above.
HIV
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program
HRSA is accepting applications for the FY 2021 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part C Capacity Development Program. NOFO HRSA-21-058 is available in Grants.gov, and applications are due by Friday, February 19. The program aims to strengthen organizational infrastructure to respond to the changing health care landscape and to increase capacity to develop, enhance, or expand access to high quality HIV primary health care services for low income, uninsured, and underserved people with HIV.
Ending the HIV Epidemic Quarterly Stakeholder Webinar
The event is a collaboration with federal partners from CDC, HRSA, IHS, NIH, SAMHSA, and the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Wednesday, January 27
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here
Workforce
Telehealth Models for Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Development
Join the next session of HRSA’s Telehealth Learning Webinar Series. Participants will learn to identify the challenges associated with telehealth in an underserved urban region and describe how to integrate undergraduate nursing student education into community-based primary care during COVID-19.
Wednesday, January 27
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program Open
HRSA’s Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program is accepting applications through Thursday, February 25. This year, the program has special funding for nurses and nurse faculty who specialize in women’s health to combat disparities that put women at risk before, during, and after pregnancy. There is also special funding to promote the integration of mental health, SUD, and other behavioral health services into primary care.
Several HRSA-funded NTTAPs present learning collaboratives:
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Patients-to-Policy Housing Learning Collaborative
The National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership invites you to explore the ways medical-legal partnerships can leverage patient-centered legal services to implement clinic- and policy-level solutions to address the housing crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This opportunity is specifically for health centers and their legal partners, but individuals from other health systems that collaborate with health centers are welcome to attend. In this four-part learning collaborative, brief didactic presentations will precede peer-to-peer learning sessions. Learn more or register now.
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Teaming & Integrating for Smiles and Health
The HRSA-funded Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health is recruiting 20 primary care and oral health teams (two teams from each of HRSA’s 10 regions) to participate in an innovative research opportunity and four-month accelerated learning collaborative. Participants will focus on strengthening primary care and oral health partnerships and increasing early detection of hypertension and gingivitis while also leveraging recent advances in telehealth. Learn more or register now.
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Advancing Interoperability: Using Technology and Data Sharing to Bring Health Centers and Others Together for Coordinated COVID-19 Care and Response
The Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center invites health center staff to learning about advancing interoperability. Within five structured sessions, participants will discuss practical interoperability applications in health centers, major interoperability initiatives, and a look toward future interoperability goals and visions. Learn more or register now.
Telehealth
Telehealth Models for Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Development
See the announcement above.
New Telehealth Tools on Telehealth.HHS.gov
See the announcement above.
HHS Telemedicine Hack: Recordings Available
HHS Telemedicine Hack (TM Hack) was a virtual, peer-to-peer learning community to accelerate telemedicine implementation for ambulatory providers. The TM Hack took place last fall, but the recordings and other materials are available online and we encourage health centers to view them. The TM Hack included TeleECHO sessions, virtual “office hour” discussion panels, and peer-to-peer learning sessions. Sessions included:
- Telemedicine: Where Do I Start?
- Workflows and Documentation
- Clinical Best Practices and the Art of the Tele-Physical Exam
- Overview of Telehealth Billing & Reimbursement Policies
- The New Normal: Tips to Make Telemedicine Part of Your Permanent Practice
Cervical Health Awareness Month
We’re offering these learning opportunities in recognition of this annual observance.
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TODAY: New Cervical Cancer Guidelines for Screening and Management during COVID-19 and Beyond
Join HRSA's Office of Women's Health and Office of Regional Operations to get practical information on implementing new clinical guidelines for cervical cancer screening and management. These guidelines were developed in a large consensus effort that involved several clinical organizations and federal agencies and patient representatives.
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
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Diagnosing HPV-Related Cancers, Screening Guidelines Development, and Improving Screening Measures
Hear experts discuss the role of primary care providers and dentists in diagnosing human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer including via telehealth; an overview of the development of American Cancer Society’s updated cervical cancer screening guidelines; and the steps one health center is taking to improve their screening measures during this unusual year.
Tuesday, January 26
3:30-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here
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