Heart Health at Health Centers, Updated COVID-19 UDS Reporting Guidance, and More! HRSA PHC Digest

A Newsletter from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

HRSA BPHC Primary Health Care Digest

February 2, 2021

American Heart Month

Heart Health at Health Centers
Health centers are uniquely positioned to lead efforts to improve heart health and reduce disparities in COVID-19 outcomes among racial and ethnic minority communities by helping patients prevent heart disease.

HRSA is celebrating American Heart Month this year by launching our quarterly Heart Health Office Hours: a web-based learning series highlighting evidence-based interventions to improve patients’ heart health.

During our inaugural session, two health centers will share their experiences implementing team-based care to improve hypertension control.

Heart Health Office Hours: Are Hypertension Control
Interventions
that Maximize Team-Based Care Effective?
Thursday, February 25
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here

The resources below can help your health center improve patients’ heart health:


Important


Downtime for HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks

HRSA's Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) will be unavailable beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, February 19, until 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 21. During this time, HRSA will take HHS-recommended actions to strengthen information security.


Today With Macrae

Next Week! Today with Macrae: Health Center Updates
Join Jim to learn about the new administration’s 100-day agenda, COVID-19 vaccination, funding, and more.

Tuesday, February 9
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session

Next week’s session will be the first using the Zoom platform. One of the benefits of Zoom is that it can accommodate all of our expected attendees without limiting access. To join the webcast you’ll simply click the link above; there is no longer a call-in number or passcode. We’re excited about this change because Zoom is more attendee-centered: you’ll have control over how you see presenters and slides. You will still be able to submit questions via Zoom’s Q&A feature.


In this Issue

  • What’s New includes updated Uniform Data System (UDS) guidance on COVID-19 reporting for calendar year 2020.
  • COVID-19 includes a new FAQ, an interview with a health center CEO, and newly announced webinars.
  • Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health announces a new grant for behavioral health training programs.

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Jump To:  COVID-19  |  Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health  |  HIV  |  Diabetes  |  Workforce


What's New

Update

COVID-19 UDS Reporting Guidance Resource
We added new content to our UDS COVID-19 Resource Guide to address questions about 2020 UDS reporting elements related to COVID-19. The questions we answer include:

  • Will health centers need to report on patients who received COVID-19 vaccines?
  • If a health center does not spend the provider relief funds that they received, should we still report these funds (the full amount) on Table 9E?

As a reminder, there are about two weeks left in the UDS reporting period for calendar year 2020. The 2020 UDS Manual and other resources are available on HRSA’s website to help you complete an accurate report.


Deadline Reminder: Service Area Competition Applications for September 1 Starts
Fiscal year (FY) 2021 Service Area Competition (SAC) HRSA-21-008 applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 16, and in EHBs by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 18. Technical assistance (TA) materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.


Primary Care Association Non-Competing Continuation Deadline Reminder and Updated Health Workforce Template
The Primary Care Association (PCA) Non-Competing Continuation progress report is due at 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 9. We emailed an updated Attachment 2: Health Workforce Supplemental Progress template to PCA Project Directors; it also is available on the PCA TA webpage. We encourage PCAs to use the new one-page template, which includes only the two Health Professions and Education and Training (HP-ET) initiative metrics that are required in year 1.


Marketplace Special Enrollment Period

HHS recently announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals and families to enroll in health coverage through the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace from Monday, February 15, through Saturday, May 15, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.


A Message from the Office of National Drug Control Policy Regarding X Waiver
As published in last week’s Digest, HHS recently announced forthcoming Practice Guidelines for the Administration of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder. Unfortunately, the announcement was made prematurely. Therefore, the guidelines cannot be issued at this time. However, HHS and the Office of National Drug Control Policy are committed to working with interagency partners to examine ways to increase access to buprenorphine, reduce overdose rates, and save lives.


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 Friday, 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.


NEW UDS Resource – Outreach and Enrollment Assists Reporting
Including responses to questions related to Outreach and Enrollment assists, this new webpage provides guidance on what qualifies for UDS reporting, health insurance coverage options, and where to report this information in the UDS.


Health Equity Research Findings
HRSA authors recently published articles examining health equity issues in the International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS:


COVID-19

FAQs and Resources
We recently added these questions to our COVID-19 FAQ webpage:

  • Will health centers need to report on patients who received COVID-19 vaccines?
  • Can health centers participate in community vaccination efforts organized by state, territorial, or local public health authorities within their Health Center Program scope of project?

Other resources on HRSA’s site include our coronavirus-related funding FAQ page and COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners.


Trial, By Desire: One FQHC’s Research Trial Experience RE: COVID-19 Vaccine
This publication from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) presents an interview with Beth Wrobel, CEO, HealthLinc, Inc. (IN). HealthLinc served as a vaccine trial site. Ms. Wrobel discusses that experience, as well as her personal experience as a trial participant. NACHC conducted this interview as part of their leadership development TA program. NACHC is a National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).


Health Choice Network & AllianceChicago: In Action "COVID Vaccine Confidence"
Speakers from two HRSA-funded Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) will share a national perspective on vaccine confidence, the health center experience on vaccine workflows and rollout, and tactics to address vaccine confidence in our patients and community.

Thursday, February 4
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here


Panel Discussion on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing: Promising Practices, Lessons Learned, and Challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing rapidly and requires different strategies to maintain clinical preventive services, including immunization and testing. The National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, presents a panel discussion on COVID-19 vaccination and testing strategies, lessons learned, and challenges.

Friday, February 5
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Register here


The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, invites health center staff and clinicians to two upcoming webinars: 

  • Health Equity and COVID-19
    COVID-19 has been shown to disproportionately affect people from racial and ethnic minority groups. Join a discussion of the unique challenges and barriers to care faced by members of these communities in the time of a global pandemic, including best practices for culturally responsive care.

    Tuesday, February 9
    Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
    Register here
  • COVID-19: The State of the Vaccine
    Participants will learn more about the status of clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine, discuss strategies for a culturally responsive pandemic response, and explore the challenges surrounding safe, reliable, and equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Thursday, February 18
    Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
    Register here

Computer

Health Center and Look-Alike COVID-19 Survey
The survey you received on Friday, January 29, is due by 11:59 p.m. your local time today. As always, thank you for sharing your invaluable insights!

As a reminder, this week we’re removing the flu vaccine questions from both the PCA and the health center/look-alike COVID-19 survey.

If you have other questions, check out the Survey Tool User Guide, which allows you to quickly “jump” to the instructions for any question.


Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
This is one of two sessions HRSA’s Office of Regional Operations (ORO) will host relating to vaccine confidence. It is specific to Phases 1A and 1B of the rollout (a future session will focus on Phases 1C and 1D).

Wednesday, February 3
1:00-2:15 p.m. ET
Register here


Integrating Behavioral Health during a Pandemic
Mental health is an important topic for patients living in public housing, particularly during this pandemic. The National Center for Health in Public Housing will discuss findings from research on the mental health of public housing residents, and the medical director from La Maestra Community Health Center (San Diego, CA) will discuss their innovative integrated behavioral health program.

Thursday, February 4
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Protecting Our Communities: The Current Status of COVID-19 Vaccines and Strategies to Combat Health Misinformation
Speakers will provide the latest information about the vaccine, including a discussion about how vaccines work, which ones are currently available, and effective strategies for reaching vulnerable communities. We will also explore the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines.

Migrant Clinicians Network, Inc. presents this webinar in Spanish with simultaneous translation into English. Migrant Clinicians Network is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.

Thursday, February 4
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


Partnering for the COVID-19 Vaccine: Lessons from the Flu-LEAD Project
HRSA, HUD, the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium, and the National Center for Health in Public Housing (both HRSA-funded NTTAPs), offer a webinar focused on how health centers can leverage partnerships with housing authorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Speakers will discuss lessons learned from the HUD/HRSA Flu-LEAD (Linkages to End Access Disparities) project.

Wednesday, February 10
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health

A Message from the Office of National Drug Control Policy Regarding X Waiver
See the announcement above regarding the guidelines published in last week’s Digest.


New Grant for Behavioral Health Training Programs
Looking for financial support to prepare behavioral health paraprofessionals through community-based trainings? HRSA is accepting applications for the FY 2021 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals. The application closes on Monday, April 12. Download the Notice of Funding Opportunity.


Buprenorphine for Adults with Substance Use Disorders 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 substance use disorders (SUD). Speakers also will 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 and other SUD.

Wednesday, February 3
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Behavioral Health Patients and Staff
See the announcement above.


HIV

New Mail Order Option for Ready, Set, PrEP Program
HHS’s Ready, Set, PrEP program, which provides free HIV PrEP medication for people without prescription drug coverage, is offering a new mail order option for participants.

By visiting GetYourPrEP.com or calling 855-447-8410, participants can choose to have their PrEP medication mailed to their preferred address or to their health care provider (in participating states). Health care providers can also use the website or call center to assist patients with enrollment, allowing “one stop shopping” at health centers, where a patient can receive PrEP services and then receive their medications by mail. Alternatively, they can choose to have their PrEP prescription filled at a local, participating pharmacy, including using the pharmacy’s mail order program.

Health centers already offer HIV testing and PrEP services, and with this mail order program they now have an additional tool in the toolbox to help those who could benefit from PrEP but don’t have prescription drug insurance. We hope the new, direct mail order through Ready, Set, PrEP will add convenience for patients, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency and for those in rural areas, thereby increasing access and adherence to PrEP.

For enrollment, visit GetYourPrEP.com; to learn more about PrEP and Ready, Set, PrEP, visit HIV.gov/PrEP.


Diabetes

Expanding Diabetes Prevention and Management through Health Center Outreach Learning Collaborative
This learning collaborative, hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing, will provide diabetes resources for Community Health Workers (CHWs), and explain the roles and competencies of CHWs in diabetes prevention, with an emphasis on nutrition, physical activity programs, and other lifestyle interventions. Participants will identify screening tools and resources for diabetes prevention. Apply now.


Workforce

New Grant for Behavioral Health Training Programs
See the announcement above.


Screening and Addressing Social Determinants of Health
This learning collaborative aims to strengthen health center staff knowledge on social determinants of health (SDOH); their impact on unhoused communities; the benefits of screener use; risk stratification of a SDOH screener tool; workforce and SDOH; and the challenges communities are facing with screening tools. It is hosted by the National Health Care for the Homeless Council and other HRSA-funded NTTAPs. Apply by Friday, February 12.


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.

There’s a general TA session on Thursday, February 18, and if you specialize in women’s health, learn more at a webinar TODAY:

Nurse Corps: Women's Health Webinar
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the session
Call-in: 800-857-9825
Passcode: 6669658


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Technical Assistance & Training

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Visit the training calendar to learn details about or register for events.

Through February 9

Past, Present, and Future: HCCNs and Health Centers Using Data to Drive Clinical Care Webinar Series
Hosted by NACHC, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
The Future State: Data Integrity
Tuesday, February 2
11:00-11:45 a.m. ET
Register here

NHCI-HC Q&A Session
Tuesday, February 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the session
Call-in: 800-369-2044
Passcode: 9762632

Nurse Corps: Women's Health Webinar
Tuesday, February 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the session
Call-in: 800-857-9825
Passcode: 6669658

Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Office Hours: COVID-19 Reopening/Return to PCMH
Hosted by the National Committee for Quality Assurance
Wednesday, February 3
11:00 a.m.-noon ET
Register here

Introduction to the UDS Mapper
Wednesday, February 3
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Buprenorphine for Adults with SUD and Co-Occurring Pain
Co-hosted with the HRSA-funded National Clinician Consultation Center
Wednesday, February 3
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
Wednesday, February 3
1:00-2:15 p.m. ET
Register here

Integrating Behavioral Health during a Pandemic
Hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, February 4
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Protecting Our Communities: The Current Status of COVID-19 Vaccines and Strategies to Combat Health Misinformation
Hosted by Migrant Clinicians Network, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, February 4
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Health Choice Network & AllianceChicago: In Action "COVID Vaccine Confidence"
Hosted by two HRSA-funded HCCNs
Thursday, February 4
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Health Equity and COVID-19
Hosted by The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, February 9
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Introduction to the Planning and Financing a Capital Project to Accommodate Integrated Care Learning Collaborative
Hosted by Capital Link, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, February 9
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Health Network: A Care Coordination Program for Mobile Patients
Hosted by Migrant Clinicians Network, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, February 9
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Today with Macrae: Health Center Updates
Tuesday, February 9
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session

Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Behavioral Health Patients and Staff
Hosted by a HRSA contractor
Tuesday, February 9
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here


Upcoming

Partnering for the COVID-19 Vaccine: Lessons from the Flu-LEAD Project
Co-hosted with HUD and the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium and the National Center for Health in Public Housing (both HRSA-funded NTTAPs)
Wednesday, February 10
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Promoting Health Literacy in Older Adults
Hosted by the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, February 16
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

COVID-19: The State of the Vaccine
Hosted by The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, February 18
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Addressing the Systems that Contribute to Moral Injury and Moral Distress
Hosted by the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, February 18
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

The Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center Highlights: 21st Century CURES Act and Information Blocking – How to Avoid Blocking Interoperable EHI
Hosted by the HITEQ Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, February 23
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

UDS Mapper Advanced Topic: Using the UDS Mapper for Research
Thursday, February 25
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Heart Health Office Hours: Are Hypertension Control Interventions that Maximize Team-based Care Effective?
Thursday, February 25
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Today with Macrae: Health Center Updates
Tuesday, March 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Access details coming soon

Assessing Your Community Using the UDS Mapper
Thursday, March 4
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Today with Macrae: Health Center Updates
Tuesday, March 23
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Access details coming soon

UDS Mapper Advanced Topic Webinar: UDS Mapper and Social Determinants of Health—Transportation
Friday, March 26
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

National FQHC Telehealth Training and TA Partners Roundtable
Hosted by the HRSA-funded National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers and NACHC, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Friday, March 26
1:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.