COVID-19 Vaccine Forum, Today with Macrae Wrap-Up, and More! HRSA PHC Digest

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

HRSA BPHC Primary Health Care Digest

February 16, 2021

Next Week: National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine
Join HRSA Acting Administrator Diana Espinosa and Associate Administrator Jim Macrae at the National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine, a virtual event that will unite representatives from across the U.S. government with tribal, state, local, and territorial leaders, as well as representatives from public health, health care systems, national and community-based non-governmental organizations, education, private industry, unions, and faith-based organizations.

The forum will take place from Monday, February 22, to Wednesday, February 24, and will support implementation of a safe, effective, and equitable COVID-19 vaccination program. Register soon!

National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine

Today With Macrae

Wrap-up! Today with Macrae: Health Center Updates
Here is the recording of last week’s Today with Macrae session. The slides are available on our COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners webpage.

Here are some of the resources we shared:

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Please save these dates for upcoming sessions (all 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET).

Tuesday, March 2
Tuesday, March 23
Thursday, April 15
Tuesday, May 4


In This Issue

  • What’s New includes an announcement of HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) downtime planned for this upcoming weekend.
  • COVID-19 includes information about the Special Projects for Equitable and Efficient Distribution of COVID-19 Outpatient Therapeutics program for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
  • Workforce includes announcement of several new learning collaboratives.

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Jump To:  COVID-19  |  Behavioral Health  |  HIV  |  Diabetes  |  Workforce  |  American Heart Month  | 
                Additional Resources


What's New

Important


This Week! Downtime for EHBs

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.


Kathleen Sutcliffe

Patient Safety Awareness Week Event: Becoming a High-Reliability Organization
Hosted by HRSA in partnership with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), and the Indian Health Service (IHS):

Wednesday, March 17
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Please join us for a special program in honor of Patient Safety Awareness Week. We’ll feature Kathleen Sutcliffe, PhD., a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University and an internationally recognized expert in management and organization theory. She will discuss high-reliability organizing as the next wave of innovation in keeping patients safe. She will cover the fundamentals of high reliability, helping health care organizations learn how they can operationalize these concepts and become more highly reliable.


Website Survey

Help Us Improve Our Website!
When you visit our website, you may see a pop-up asking you to take a short survey. Please click on “Provide Feedback” and give your honest input. We are in the process of redesigning our website and your ideas and feedback are very important to inform our decision-making. Thank you for your help with this important project!


Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 2021 Recommended Immunization Schedules


Implementing CDC's Quality STD Care Recommendations in Health Care Settings
CDC released a new planning toolkit for using CDC’s Recommendations for Providing Quality Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Clinical Services, 2020. The toolkit, created in collaboration with the National Association of County and City Health Officials, includes resources to help health care settings translate CDC’s quality STD care recommendations into practical application. Health care settings can use the resources to assess their existing STD services and develop a plan to build, maintain, or enhance services based on their setting and the patients they serve. For more information on STD prevention and treatment, visit CDC's STD site.


COVID-19

Tips for Board Chairs and Other Board Leaders during the COVID-19 Pandemic
This article from NACHC provides ideas for board chairs, board officers, and committee chairs who may hold new or more involved leadership roles as the pandemic continues.


CDC Report Highlights Need to Build COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence
According to a recent CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) article, the proportion of American adults who were “absolutely certain” or “very likely” to receive COVID-19 vaccination rose from 39% to 49% between September and December 2020. However, young adults, women, Black adults, adults living in nonmetropolitan areas, and adults without health insurance were among those most likely to say they did not intend to receive COVID-19 vaccination.

The article identified a need to promote vaccine confidence by tailoring information to address individual concerns. These resources can help build confidence in COVID-19 vaccines:


You Are Essential

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Community-Based Organizations: Getting Started
CDC has designed a toolkit to help community-based organizations provide education about the COVID-19 vaccine. Health centers and their partner organizations can use these resources to help educate patients. The toolkit includes outreach materials in many languages and targeted to those in specific professions.


SPEED Enrollment Guide for FQHCs
The Special Projects for Equitable and Efficient Distribution (SPEED) of COVID-19 Outpatient Therapeutics program supports direct federal allocation of COVID-19 outpatient therapeutics (i.e., monoclonal antibodies) to priority settings that care for populations at high risk for hospitalization. Any FQHC with the capacity and capability to administer monoclonal antibodies to their patients is eligible to participate in SPEED. FQHCs that do not have on-site capabilities to administer monoclonal antibodies can partner with local hospitals or community infusion centers approved to receive SPEED allocations directed for use with FQHC patients only.


FDA to Consider Emergency Use Authorization for Additional COVID-19 Vaccine
The FDA has scheduled a meeting of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) for Friday, February 26, to discuss the request for emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine from Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson). The FDA intends to make materials available to the public, including the meeting agenda and committee roster, no later than two business days prior to the meeting.


Survey

Health Center and Look-Alike COVID-19 Survey
The survey you received on Friday, February 12, is due by 11:59 p.m. your local time today.

Last week, 62% of health centers and 53% of health center look-alikes completed the survey. We’re grateful to those who shared their invaluable insights and we encourage everyone to participate. This data enables us to better understand your challenges!

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


COVID-19: The State of the Vaccine
The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, invites health center staff and clinicians to 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


FAQs and Resources
We continually update 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.


Behavioral Health

Mental Health Needs of Migratory and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Learning Collaborative
MHP Salud presents a four-session learning collaborative focused on the current and future landscape of mental health among migratory and seasonal agricultural workers (MSAWs), as well as recommendations for how to best support this community. The collaborative is for health center staff, Community Health Workers (CHWs), and other enabling service staff who interact with the MSAW community. Register here. MHP Salud is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.


Supporting Providers and Centering Survivors: Rethinking Success through Partnerships and Innovations to Support People Experiencing Homelessness
The National Health Network on IPV and Human Trafficking and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) present a learning collaborative addressing the intersections of gender and homelessness. This eight-session learning collaborative focuses on a constellation of intersecting issues, including substance use disorder (SUD), mental health, homelessness, human trafficking, and interpersonal violence. Apply by Sunday, February 28. NHCHC is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.


SAMHSA Advisories
SAMHSA has published a series of Advisories based on existing Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs) and Technical Assistance Publications (TAPs). These Advisories summarize updated guidance and recommendations on topics in the SUD treatment field.


Register Now for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®
Your efforts to empower teens and young adults to make informed decisions about drugs and alcohol are more important than ever. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) invites you to register your event for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW), March 22-28. NDAFW is a week-long national health observance highlighting science-based facts about how drugs and alcohol affect the brain and body.


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 fiscal year (FY) 2021 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals. The application closes on Monday, April 12. Download the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).


HIV

Due This Week! 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. Visit the TargetHIV website for slides and a recording from the recent TA session for potential applicants.


Diabetes

Strategies to Increase Diabetes Screening among Asian American Populations Learning Collaborative
Join this learning collaborative to gain in-depth knowledge about diabetes and body mass index screening for Asian American populations. Clinicians, health center staff, and Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) facilitators will provide context, promising practices, and data from a national perspective. The collaborative takes place across four sessions in March. Register now. AAPCHO is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.


NIH Funding Opportunity: Use of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
Funding is available to test an innovative approach to address barriers and facilitate greater use of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). The grant requires an R34 clinical trial and pilot project. Research applications should engage key stakeholders in cultivating a strategy with the potential for dissemination. The pilot trial of the proposed strategy should be designed to generate preliminary data in support of a future, full-scale trial to study broader dissemination and implementation. Letter of Intent due date: Saturday, May 22. Application due date: Tuesday, June 22.


Facilitating Healthy Eating for the Whole Family
The second in Health Outreach Partners/MHP Salud’s series on “Diabetes Across the Lifespan," this article focuses on supplementing health education efforts through innovative ways to provide access to healthy foods. It also highlights real health center examples, including creating a food distribution site, partnering with farmers markets, and offering a nutrition and cooking class. Both organizations are HRSA-funded NTTAPs.


Workforce

Several HRSA-funded NTTAPs present learning collaboratives:

  • Capital Expansion for Health and Housing Partnerships
    The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is launching a new learning series for health centers interested in learning how to leverage a capital project to meet broader community housing needs, expanding their health services in collaboration with housing partners to strengthen health centers’ engagement in social determinants of health (SDOH), and advancing efforts to build a community's safety net infrastructure. Apply by THIS Thursday, February 19.

  • Board Governance
    Governance training can positively impact engagement of consumer board members of health centers providing care to MSAWs and their families. The National Center for Farmworker Health invites consumer board members and key leadership staff to join a five-session learning collaborative. Participants will have access to newly developed training modules designed specifically to support and enhance board roles and responsibilities. Learning sessions will focus on the effective role and responsibilities of board members; access to digital e-learning tools; and development of an ongoing training plan for board members. Apply by Monday, March 1.

  • Mental Health Needs of Migratory and Seasonal Agricultural Workers
    See the announcement above.

  • Supporting Providers and Centering Survivors: Rethinking Success through Partnerships and Innovations to Support People Experiencing Homelessness
    See the announcement above.

  • Strategies to Increase Diabetes Screening among Asian American Populations
    See the announcement above.

  • Community Housing Asset Mapping
    CSH presents a learning collaborative for health centers interested in expanding their knowledge and access to local homeless and housing resources for their patients. Participants will learn how to understand local housing resources and support systems; different housing models that best support patients based on their needs; and how to create health and housing partnerships to support patients with housing needs. Learn more or apply by Friday, February 26.

Bringing Lawyers onto the Health Center Care Team to Promote Patient and Community Health
The National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, is hosting a five-part webinar series to disseminate their Health Center Guide toolkit. The toolkit provides the health center community with information and resources to start, strengthen, and sustain a medical-legal partnership (MLP). Visit the webinar series page to see recordings of parts 1-2 or register for the remaining sessions. The next session is:

Part 3: Advancing Workforce Goals for
Health Center and Legal Services Staff

Thursday, February 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET

This session will focus on how the MLP approach advances workforce goals for both health center and legal services staff working to address the social needs of patients and communities. Subject matter experts from MLPs will share how they addressed the training needs of the health care workforce and community during and/or in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.


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.


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


American Heart Month

American Heart Month

We shared these resources at last week’s Today with Macrae:


CDC Facebook Live Event Highlighting Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champions
Join Million Hearts® Executive Director Larry Sperling, MD, and some of the 2020 Hypertension Control Champions for a conversation about hypertension control. Health care experts from Bon Secours Charity Health System Medical Group (NY) and PrairieStar Health Center (KS), as well as Saulius J. Skeivys, MD, PC (NY), will share strategies that work and the importance of heart health during uncertain times.

Wednesday, February 24
1:00-1:30 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session


Heart Health Office Hours
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.

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


Additional Resources

2021 Virtual Forum for Migrant and Community Health
The National Center for Farmworker Health, the Northwest Regional Primary Care Association, and the North Carolina Community Health Center Association, announce registration for the 2021 Virtual Forum for Migrant and Community Health, which will take place March 22-26. This free opportunity will include educational sessions on critical HHS priority topics, including diabetes prevention and treatment, emerging issues, COVID-19, mental health, HIV, SDOH, agricultural worker identification and increase to health care, among many others, with continuing education edits provided. Learn more or register now.


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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 23

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

Key Considerations in Planning Your Facility for Integrated, Comprehensive Care
Hosted by Capital Link, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, February 18
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Understanding Moral Distress, Moral Injury, & Other Dangers of Helping Others!
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

MHP Salud: COVID-19 and CHWs Virtual Technical Assistance
Hosted by MHP Salud, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, February 18
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Get access information

Trauma-Informed Care for LGBTQIA+ Patients
Hosted by The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Friday, February 19
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET (includes a 30-minute case discussion post-presentation)
Register here

National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine
Hosted by CDC
Monday, February 22-Wednesday, February 24
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


Upcoming

CDC Facebook Live Event Highlighting Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champions
Hosted by CDC
Wednesday, February 24
1:00-1:30 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session

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

Community Asset Mapping
Hosted by The National Center for Farmworker Health, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, February 25
2:30-3:30 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

Integrated Primary and Behavioral Health Care Services and Value-Based Reimbursement
Hosted by a HRSA contractor
Wednesday, March 3
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here

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

FTCA Office Hours for Health Center Clinical Leaders
Hosted by NACHC, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Register here for either session

Thursday, March 4
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET

Thursday, April 22
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET

Understanding the Needs of Family Caregivers
Hosted by the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, March 16
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Patient Safety Awareness Week Event: Becoming a High Reliability Organization
Hosted by HRSA in partnership with AHRQ, the NPDB, and IHS
Wednesday, March 17
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Register here

2021 Virtual Forum for Migrant and Community Health
Hosted by The National Center for Farmworker Health (a HRSA-funded NTTAP), the Northwest Regional Primary Care Association, and the North Carolina Community Health Center Association
Monday, March 22-Friday, March 26
Learn more or register now

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.