What's New
Health Center Program Compliance Manual en Español
To increase equitable access to Health Center Program policy, we teamed up with HRSA’s Office of Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion to translate the Health Center Program Compliance Manual into Spanish.
This Spanish translation of the Health Center Program Compliance Manual is provided as a resource for the Spanish-reading public. We have made every effort to provide an accurate translation of the official material in English, available on the Health Center Program Compliance Manual webpage. The English version is the official issuance, and any differences in the translation are not binding and have no legal effect.
We welcome your feedback on this translation. Submit feedback through Health Center Program Support online, select Issue Type: “Compliance Manual.”
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American Rescue Plan Funding for Health Centers
HRSA recently awarded more than $6.1 billion in American Rescue Plan funding to 1,377 HRSA-funded health centers nationwide. Visit the American Rescue Plan Funding for Health Centers (H8F) TA page for award submission guidance and other information.
Health centers have until Monday, May 31, to submit information about planned activities and costs to be supported by the funding via their H8F award submission in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs). View the new H8F FAQs, which we will update on an ongoing basis. Award recipients should add their H8F grant to their EHBs portfolio (steps 3 and 4 have been updated) to view and complete the submission in EHBs.
Join the second question and answer session for award recipients:
Wednesday, April 28
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
If you prefer to join by phone: 833-568-8864
When prompted, enter meeting/webinar ID: 160 386 9890
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) invites health centers to a finance office hour focused on how to use these funds:
Spring 2021 Financial Office Hours for Health Centers:
Strategies to Deploy ARP Funds
Friday, April 23
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
NACHC is a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).
February 1 Start Date? Review Your Patient Target
We recently updated patient targets for Health Center Program award recipients with a February 1 budget period start date. On Thursday, April 15, we sent an email message to the Authorizing Officials and Project Directors of these health centers that indicated whether the health center would complete a fiscal year (FY) 2022 Service Area Competition (SAC) or Budget Period Progress Report (BPR). The email also included a direct link to the updated patient target. Health centers that will complete an FY 2022 SAC for awards starting February 1, 2022, should review their patient targets and take appropriate action in EHBs by Thursday, May 6.
View the recorded tutorial of the EHBs Patient Target Management Module. Other resources are available on the SAC TA webpage to learn how to access your patient target in EHBs.
Submit questions using the BPHC Contact Form (select “Patient Targets” on the “BPHC Category” screen).
Has Your Health Center Used All of Its 2020 COVID Funding?
If you have funds remaining and have not completed award activity for COVID-19 (H8C) or CARES (H8D), which ended in March, contact your Grants Management Specialist to request an extension without funds (also known as a no-cost extension) for up to 12 additional months.
You may also request an extension without funds if you anticipate that you will not complete award activity and have funds remaining related to Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing (ECT) (H8E), which ends Friday, April 30, or LAL ECT (L1C), which ends Wednesday, June 30. Contact your Grants Management Specialist and Project Officer for details.
New Funding Opportunity for Rural Maternity Care
This new HRSA funding opportunity is part of the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) program, introduced in 2019 to address the lack of services in rural areas. Recipients will be networks that have already been established by three or more separately-owned entities and include one HRSA-funded health center or LAL, among other requirements. HRSA will make three awards, each $1 million per year for a four-year project. Applications are due on Friday, June 4.
Telehealth.HHS.gov Turns One
This week we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Telehealth.HHS.gov website, a one-stop resource on telehealth for patients and providers. As we social distance during COVID-19, or save miles by providing or receiving health care online, Telehealth.HHS.gov will continue to provide up-to-date information—from telehealth tips (in English and Spanish) for patients, to telehealth best practice guides and telehealth policy changes for health care providers.
Get Ready to Apply for FCC Telehealth Funding
Health centers are eligible for FCC funding to support your use of telehealth. You may begin submitting applications for Round 2 of the FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program on Thursday, April 29, at noon ET. To apply, you need to select the eligibility criteria and submit a budget. Use this tool to ensure that you have an active FCC Health Care Provider Number, which is required to submit an application. The page also includes instructions for requesting one.
For information about eligibility and the application process, see the FCC-supported TA provider Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program webpage. Submit questions via email to USAC’s support team.
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Applications Opening Soon
Prepare to assist your patients in applying for the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. See our recent bulletin for background information on this exciting program.
Join the FCC for a consumer-focused livestream about the program. Speakers will provide consumers and outreach partners with an overview of the EBB program, eligibility information, and enrollment procedures.
Tuesday, April 27
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
COVID-19
UPDATE: Health Center COVID-19 Testing Supply Distribution Program
HRSA recently announced a partnership between HHS and the Department of Defense to deliver free rapid COVID-19 testing supplies to HRSA-funded health centers and LALs. Read our bulletin or see FAQs.
Last Wednesday, we sent health center and LAL Project Directors an email from noreply@salesforce.com containing a questionnaire to report their anticipated testing supply needs to help inform overall program development. Thank you to all the health centers that responded to the questionnaire to assess your needs for rapid testing supplies. HRSA understands the challenge in determining demand for supplies, given the vendor and specific requirements for the testing equipment are unknown. We will provide additional details on the program, including how to order supplies, as soon as a vendor is identified and a timeline for distribution is confirmed. Please stay tuned for future communications on this topic.
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New Dashboard: COVID-19 Vaccinations among Racial and Ethnic Minority Patients
Using data from the weekly Health Center and Look-Alike COVID-19 Survey, HRSA has launched a new dashboard. The Health Center COVID-19 Vaccinations among Racial and Ethnic Minority Patients dashboard displays cumulative COVID-19 vaccinations among patients identified as racial and ethnic minorities, nationally, and by state or territory.
We continue weekly updates to our dashboards on COVID-19 testing by race and ethnicity and health center operational capacity. All of these dashboards help highlight the important work that health centers are doing to advance health equity.
As a reminder: We need you to complete the survey so your health center’s content can be reflected in these dashboards. The survey you received on Friday, April 16, is due by 11:59 p.m. your local time today. We recently made some changes to the survey, including adding two new questions (17 and 17a). For guidance on how to complete these or any other questions, visit our Survey User Guide.
Coverage for the Uninsured: Fact Sheets on COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage
In response to concerns of access barriers some patients face regarding documentation requests prior to receiving COVID-19 vaccination, and individuals inappropriately being sent bills for COVID-19 vaccine fees, HRSA created fact sheets to help patients and providers better understand their rights and responsibilities regarding access to COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines are free to anyone living in the U.S.
Learn more on HHS’ COVID-19 Care for Uninsured Individuals webpage.
New Legal Guidance and Resources to Ensure—and Expand—Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Disabilities and Older Adults
HHS has published new resources to help states, vaccination providers, and others leading COVID-19 response activities improve access to vaccines for people with disabilities and older adults. These resources clarify legal requirements, illustrate some of the barriers to vaccine access faced by people with disabilities and older adults, and provide strategies to ensure accessibility. Read the full press release.
Included are two publications from The Administration for Community Living (ACL):
Resources on the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine Pause
We know that many people have questions. These resources provide answers to common questions and concerns:
Mass Media and Interpersonal Communication Strategies for Increasing Farmworker Vaccine Confidence
The National Center for Farmworker Health, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, invites you to join a webinar that will provide insight into challenges (and solutions) around communicating about the COVID-19 vaccines with farmworker communities. Speakers will address key messaging priorities, effective use of mass media, and how to implement face-to-face dialogues with farmworkers to increase confidence in the vaccines.
Wednesday, April 21
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
COVID-19 and Farmworkers: Policy Update and Outreach Materials
Farmworker Justice will present recent policy developments specific to COVID-19 and farmworkers. They will also share COVID-19 outreach materials developed for farmworker communities to assist outreach and education efforts. Farmworker Justice is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Tuesday, April 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
AgWorker Health 102: Supporting Agricultural Worker Health
Speakers at this webinar will share information on the most relevant current agricultural worker policy issues, including effective service delivery models during COVID-19. They will also highlight training and TA opportunities, resources, and promising practices to help support health center staff in the implementation of service delivery changes and adaptations when serving agricultural workers.
This webinar is presented by the Farmworker Health Network, a six-member network of HRSA-funded NTTAPs with decades of experience working with health centers to address agricultural worker health needs: Farmworker Justice, MHP Salud, Migrant Clinicians Network, Health Outreach Partners, and National Center for Farmworker Health.
Thursday, June 3
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Health Centered on COVID-19
Health centers across the nation have distinguished themselves in responding to the current pandemic. Here’s a recent example:
Piedmont Health Services, Inc. operates eight locations serving 14 counties in North Carolina. Piedmont Health began administering COVID-19 vaccines in mid-January. As of mid-April, they have administered 20,492 vaccine doses to 12,949 individuals. The health center received these vaccines both through their participation in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program and through North Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccine provider program.
Piedmont Health is working to ensure equity in vaccine distribution; 27% of those they have vaccinated identify as Black/African American and 21% identify as Hispanic. To advance outreach to Spanish-speaking patients, they partnered with the Alamance County Health Department, the Blessed Sacrament Church and Community, and other community partners to offer a free online event in Spanish. Presenters answered questions about vaccines and offered guidance on making vaccine appointments.
Earlier this year, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen visited the Chatham County location to highlight Piedmont Health’s important work. During the visit, Secretary Cohen stated: “Community health centers are the lifeline to health care for thousands of rural and underserved communities. They’ve been frontline partners in providing testing throughout the pandemic, and are an important part of the state’s strategy to ensure marginalized residents have access to COVID-19 vaccines.” Read more.
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How is your health center helping your community address COVID-19? Send your story to our Health Center Stories inbox. We are especially interested in hearing about efforts to promote equity in vaccine distribution and boost vaccine confidence. We may share your story in future issues of the Digest, on Today with Macrae webcasts, or via HRSA social media.
If sharing a photo, please include a high-resolution image along with the names of everyone in the picture, and make sure each person has signed a HRSA Photo Release Form.
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The following COVID-19 related items ran in previous issues of the Digest.
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COVID-19 Resources from NACHC
NACHC encourages you to check out these useful resources:
Medicare Reimbursement for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration: Lump Sum Payments Available Upon Request
Federally Qualified Health Centers may request lump sum payments for administering COVID-19 vaccines in advance of cost report settlement. CMS will pay you for COVID-19 vaccines and administration at 100% reasonable cost, as is done for influenza and pneumonia vaccines. Contact your Medicare Administrative Contractor or view the April 1 edition of the CMS Medicare Learning Network Connects newsletter for more information.
Expanding the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program
HRSA has announced that all remaining health centers and look-alikes can now participate in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program.
If your health center had not been invited previously, we recently emailed your Project Director to invite you (subject line: “BPHC Bulletin: Invitation to the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program”).
Submit questions to Health Center Program Support. Select “Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program”—the fourth option on the “Health Center Program Questions” screen. Then select “COVID-19 Vaccine Program General Inquiry.” You can also call Health Center Program Support at 877-464-4772, option 2, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).
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Health Center COVID-19 FAQs
We continue to add new questions to our COVID-19 FAQs webpage, and we recently created a new FAQs webpage on the American Rescue Plan Funding for Health Centers (H8F).
Other resources:
Special Populations Roundtable – Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program
Join several HRSA-funded NTTAPs for a bi-weekly roundtable discussion about the COVID-19 vaccination rollout for special populations. The April 23 session will feature the CDC’s Amanda Cohn, MD, CAPT, USPHS.
Friday, April 23 | Friday, May 7 |
Friday, May 21
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
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Telehealth Policy, Implementation, and Use Trends during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Join a webinar exploring the changes during the COVID-19 pandemic in telehealth policy and implementation, and ways that health centers are leveraging technology to support their patients. Mei Wa Kwong, Executive Director of the Center for Connected Health Policy, will present along with HRSA speakers.
Tuesday, April 27
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Ask Us Anything: Learning Lessons from COVID-19 and Preparing for Future Emergencies
Colleagues from FoundCare, Inc. (FL), Marias Healthcare Services, Inc. (MT), and Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. (NY) will share best and promising practices, innovative approaches for challenging experiences, and successes.
Tuesday, April 27
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Behavioral Health
Management of Stimulant Use Disorder
The misuse of stimulants (methamphetamine, cocaine, and other amphetamines) is a growing public health crisis across the nation. The HRSA-funded National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) invites health center clinicians to hear about both well-studied and emerging practices in the management of stimulant use disorder. Participants will be able to more confidently assess and manage the care of patients with stimulant use disorder.
Tuesday, April 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Through its Substance Use Warmline, NCCC provides free tele-consultation and guidance to clinicians on medical management of substance use disorder and harm reduction strategies. Connect by phone toll-free at 855-300-3595, or upload patient cases securely. The Warmline operates from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday.
Two Sides of the Sustainability Coin: Value-Based Reimbursement and Integrated Behavioral Health Community of Practice
Value-based reimbursement (VBR) offers a more equitable, integrated, and person-centered approach, but health centers may need support to navigate this complex process. HRSA invites health center staff to join an upcoming community of practice to learn VBR basics and what providers need to know and do as they work toward health care that is viable and sustainable for all. Because VBR cuts across all areas of a health center, participating teams can include managers in integration, quality improvement/quality assurance, health information technology (HIT), population health/data analysis, finance/billing, and, senior staff responsible for strategic planning.
Participants can earn 1.5 CE credits for each session they attend, with a maximum of 9 CEs for participation in all six sessions.
Registration is open for two cohorts:
SAMHSA Funding Opportunities
SAMHSA is accepting applications for two new funding opportunities:
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Medication-Assisted Treatment – Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction
This program will expand and enhance access to medication-assisted treatment services for persons with an opioid use disorder. SAMHSA plans to issue approximately 89-135 awards of up to $1 million per year for states and up to $525,000 per year for other domestic public or non-profit entities, for up to five years. Learn more or apply by Tuesday, April 27.
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Community Mental Health Centers Grant Program
This program will enable community mental health centers to support and restore the delivery of clinical services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively address the needs of individuals with serious emotional disturbance (SED), serious mental illness (SMI), and individuals with SMI or SED and substance use disorders, referred to as co-occurring disorder (COD). SAMHSA plans to issue approximately 165–825 awards of up to $500,000–$2,500,000 per year for up to two years. Learn more or apply by Friday, May 21.
HIV
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Early Intervention Services Program: Existing Geographic Service Areas
Three new notices announce opportunities to apply for funding under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Early Intervention Services Program: Existing Geographic Service Areas. The purpose of this program is to provide comprehensive primary health care and support services in an outpatient setting for low-income, uninsured, and underserved people with HIV.
Applicants can get TA:
TODAY
2:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Coordinating Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV Treatment in Primary Care
Health centers are poised to prevent and treat these viral infections by understanding the implications of comorbidity and by creating a welcoming environment for those at risk for, previously infected, or currently living with one or both diseases. Join the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium and the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center to explore the link between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV, and particular considerations for community-based primary care providers. Both organizations are HRSA-funded NTTAPs.
Monday, May 3
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
National Transgender HIV Testing Day
Sunday was National Transgender HIV Testing Day. Read a blog post to learn about how health care providers can improve services to people of transgender experience.
Learn about an upcoming webinar about housing stability for transgender and gender diverse youth.
HUD Announces $41 Million Funding Opportunity to Provide Stable Housing to Low-Income Persons Living with HIV and Their Families
HUD is making $41 million in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) competitive funding available to states, local governments, and non-profits through the HOPWA: Housing as an Intervention to Fight AIDS funding opportunity. Housing instability has been a major issue facing many persons living with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic. Achieving and maintaining stable housing can be a powerful structural intervention in ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Read HUD's NOFO.
Diabetes
Affirming Diabetes Prevention for LGBTQIA+ People
This learning collaborative is designed to help health centers improve their capacity to provide culturally affirming diabetes prevention programs for LGBTQIA+ patients, including considerations for the experiences of individuals with body dysmorphia or body dysphoria.
Health center participants will share effective models and tools, including strategies for increasing body positivity in patients, and plans for the implementation of these programs. Learn more or register.
Workforce
National Health Service Corps Receives $800 Million
HRSA’s National Health Service Corps (NHSC) opened its application for all three loan repayment programs and its NHSC Scholarship Program with an additional $800 million available for awards. The increased funds are part of the American Rescue Plan for pandemic relief and will support the largest number of NHSC clinicians in program history. Visit HRSA’s website for more information, including eligibility, site types, and service commitments:
Applications for all three are due by 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 6.
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Nurse Corps Scholarship Program Now Open
The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program provides financial support to students enrolled in nursing degree programs in exchange for a commitment to serve in high-need areas across the country. This year, Nurse Corps has additional funding for awards. Scholarship support includes tuition, fees, other reasonable educational costs, and a monthly living stipend. Find out if you qualify and apply by Thursday, May 6.
Virtual 2021 Biennial Workforce Summit
The 2021 Biennial Workforce Summit is a joint effort of workforce-focused NTTAPs: NACHC, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s STAR2 Center, and Community Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute. Speakers will discuss workforce matters related to the COVID-19/post-COVID-19 environment, technology, and the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Featured speakers include HRSA officials.
Wednesday, May 26, and Thursday, May 27
Noon-5:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Several HRSA-funded NTTAPs present learning collaboratives:
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Affirming Diabetes Prevention for LGBTQIA+ People
See the announcement above.
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Enhancing the HCV Care Model: Best Practices for Universal Testing & Linkage to Care Learning
Join the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium to learn best practices for improving screening and treatment of HCV. Participants will learn to: provide quality care by aligning clinical practices to meet the needs of the population; understand a comprehensive care model and coordination of care for HCV; and recognize the importance of coordinating treatment and prevention. Learn more or apply now.
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The Road to Patient Activation
Join the Migrant Clinicians Network and the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium to discuss patient engagement—an essential component for high-quality, person-centered health care. Health center participants will explore a framework for patient and family engagement, so that patients can make more informed decisions to increase both their satisfaction and health care outcomes. Learn more or apply now.
Telehealth
Telehealth.HHS.gov Turns One
See the announcement above.
FCC Funding Opportunity and Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
See the announcements above.
Telehealth Policy, Implementation, and Use Trends during the COVID-19 Pandemic
See the announcement above.
Awareness Month Observances
National Donate Life Month
Every day is an opportunity to honor the generosity of organ, eye, and tissue donors and the lives saved through donation. Sign up as an organ donor today.
National Limb Loss Awareness Month
April is also National Limb Loss Awareness Month. Complications from diabetes are the primary cause of non-traumatic lower extremity limb loss in the U.S. Annual foot screenings, patient education, and early medical care can help prevent limb loss. To learn more about how to protect patients from limb loss, visit HRSA’s Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention website.
Additional Resources
Engaging Families of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth
Participants will learn strategies for engaging families and caregivers in supporting transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children and youth. Explore best and promising practices for implementing interventions in order to decrease family rejection, improve physical and mental health outcomes, and ensure safe and stable housing for TGD youth. Co-hosted by The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC), both HRSA-funded NTTAPs.
Thursday, April 29
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Going Viral for Hepatitis: Getting Back to the Basics
Join HRSA and CDC to hear about updated HCV testing guidelines and recommendations, and why changes were needed (epidemiological and treatment). Speakers will also share how others are implementing the updated HCV testing recommendations.
Tuesday, May 11
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
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