What's New
Deadline Reminder: Service Area Competition Applications for May 1 Starts
Service Area Competition (SAC) HRSA-22-006 applications are due in:
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Grants.gov: Monday, October 4, by 11:59 p.m. ET.
- HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks: Wednesday, November 3, by 5:00 p.m. ET.
Technical assistance (TA) materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.
SAC Application FAQ: Service Types and Form 1A
The Service Area Announcement Table (SAAT) lists the service types currently provided in the service area. To submit an eligible application, you must project patients on Form 1A: General Information Worksheet for each Service Type (e.g., Medical, Mental Health, Enabling) listed in the SAAT.
Find additional fiscal year 2022 SAC applicant FAQs on the SAC TA webpage.
Over $48 Million Awarded to Health Centers for Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. Initiative
HHS awarded over $48 million to 271 HRSA-supported health centers across 26 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia to expand HIV prevention and treatment, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) related services, outreach, and care coordination.
For more information, read our recent bulletin and visit the Ending the HIV Epidemic: Primary Care HIV Prevention (PCHP) TA page.
Join the question and answer session for PCHP award recipients:
Thursday, September 30
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: 160 682 2895
Upcoming 2021 UDS Reporting Webinars
Our 2021 UDS reporting webinar series continues this week with the first of three sessions on the clinical tables. View the full 2021 UDS reporting webinar schedule. Individual sessions are also listed (with dates, times, and registration links) in the sidebar of this newsletter.
Here’s more information about two upcoming sessions:
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UDS Clinical Tables Part 3: Chronic Disease Management: Learn about the reporting requirements for clinical quality measures related to disease management across the UDS clinical tables, including depression remission, HIV linkage to care, hypertension, and ischemic vascular disease measures.
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Reporting Uniform Data System Financial and Operational Tables: Explore 2021 reporting requirements for UDS financial tables and cross-table implications. The session will highlight Tables 8A (and FTE on Table 5), 9D (and insurance and managed care on Table 4), and 9E. This webinar will address how to avoid common reporting errors, including 340B pharmacy and managed care reporting, as well as COVID-19 impacts across financial tables.
The Child Tax Credit: Ensuring Successful and Equitable Implementation
HRSA has invited representatives from the White House and the U.S. Department of the Treasury to help awardees understand the Child Tax Credit, with a particular focus on enrolling families that may not usually file taxes. Join a one-hour session for an overview of the Child Tax Credit and instructions on how to help enroll families using the Non-Filer Portal.
Tuesday, September 28
3:00-4:00 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: 161 456 3976
Quarterly 340B Program Registration
Quarterly 340B Program site registration is open from Friday, October 1, to Friday, October 15. Health centers will be able to register a site that has been verified as implemented and with a site status reflected as “active” in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks Form 5B through Friday, November 26. After that date, the system will close to prepare for the January 1, 2022 start.
Email the 340B Prime Vendor Program or call 888-340-2787 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET) to register a new site or ask questions. You will need to provide the following information when calling:
- Health center name.
- Site/clinic name.
- Site IDs for all sites.
- HRSA/BPHC grant number.
- Contact name and email address.
- Authorizing official name and email address.
The authorizing official will receive an email message that the account is unlocked and a registration may be submitted.
Researchers Examine the Central Role of Social Determinants of Health in Clinical Quality Measures
HRSA researchers published a new article examining the complex role of social determinants of health (SDOH) at health centers. They found that health centers in areas characterized as having high social deprivation often experience worse outcomes with uncontrolled diabetes and low birthweight than other health centers. But the same health centers display high performance on many clinical quality process measures (e.g., certain cancer screenings and childhood immunization rates). The research also highlights the importance of enabling services, such as transportation and case management services, in the delivery of health care to vulnerable populations.
Webinar Recording: Emergency Preparedness with CMS
Last week, the CMS Rural Health Clinic/Federally Qualified Health Center office joined us for a session exploring health center emergency preparedness planning in compliance with federal, state, and local emergency preparedness requirements. If you missed it, watch the recording.
How Climate Affects Community Health
CMS-required emergency preparedness plans should comprise four core elements: risk assessment; policies and procedures; a communications plan; and training and testing. As your health center prepares its plan, we encourage you to consider the potential impacts of climate change on community health. CDC’s Office on Climate and Health produced this video explaining how the effects of climate change (extreme heat, unhealthy air quality, and disease outbreaks) can impact community health.
Deputy Associate Administrator, Bureau of Health Workforce
HRSA is recruiting a Deputy Associate Administrator for its Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW). This person will participate fully with the Associate Administrator in directing the overall strategy and policy for BHW. In order to gather a broad group of candidates, there are two postings. See the announcements for full descriptions or to apply by Thursday, October 14: Position Description for Medical Officer job series or Position Description for Program Management job series.
Using Increased Trust in Medical Researchers to Increase Minority Recruitment
In a project funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, researchers tested an intervention to build trust among minority individuals, their health care providers, and medical researchers in four large, multi-site clinical trials. Results indicated that trust-based strategies improved minority enrollment in 3 of the 4 clinical trials. Read more.
COVID-19
 Health centers across the nation have distinguished themselves in responding to the current pandemic. Here’s a recent example:
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Students
Alcona Health Center (AHC) in Lincoln, MI, is taking action in their community to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in adolescents, including through school-based health centers such as Owl Health Extension, managed in collaboration with Oscoda Area Schools. Among a number of proactive steps, AHC has administered tests, vaccinated adolescents as well as faculty and staff, and distributed masks and hand sanitizer.
In total, AHC has provided the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 7,900 individuals, including more than 350 youth aged 12-21. AHC also assisted the Oscoda Area Schools Athletic Department with the state-mandated testing program by administering the tests.
In addition, AHC has provided masks for students and partnerned with the Salvation Army in Alpena County to include masks in a backpack/school supply giveaway to low-income families. AHC gave schools information on COVID-19 vaccines through resources (e.g., packets and flyers), which schools have then shared through email, newsletter, and text message and at open houses.
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These COVID-19 related items ran in previous communications from the Bureau of Primary Health Care.
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Texting Strategies for COVID-19: Vaccine, Outstanding Gaps in Care, and Social Determinants of Health
CareMessage co-founder and CEO Vineet Singal and National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) medical director Julia Skapik will share an overview of recommendations for outreach to patients around COVID-19, gaps in care management, and SDOH.
Tuesday, September 21
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
NACHC is a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).
Addressing the Housing Eviction Crisis
Speakers from NACHC, the National Center for Medical Legal Partnership, the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association, and health centers will discuss steps they are taking to support patients and communities respond to the coming eviction crisis as a result of the federal moratorium coming to an end. Additional partners will join to field questions in a 30-minute Q&A after the webinar.
Friday, September 24
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
The National Center for Medical Legal Partnership is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Unique Partnerships and Strategies for COVID-19 Vaccines and Migratory and Seasonal Agricultural Workers: National Farmworker Vaccination Assessment Results
The Farmworker Health Network (FHN) has conducted a National Farmworker Vaccination Assessment for Migrant Health Centers to share successful strategies and partnerships on ensuring that migratory and seasonal agricultural workers (MSAWs) receive COVID-19 vaccines. To fully document these practices, FHN will present the assessment findings and showcase Migrant Health Centers through a panel discussion with successful efforts on getting MSAWs vaccinated to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Wednesday, September 29
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
FHN includes several HRSA-funded NTTAPs: Farmworker Justice, Migrant Clinicians Network, Health Outreach Partners, MHP Salud, The National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH), and NACHC.
UDS Dental Data Trends: The COVID-19 Impact
The 2020 UDS data reflects the changes and impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the disproportionate impacts on dental programs. Speakers will discuss the data, its implications, and the challenges and opportunities going forward. This webinar is hosted by the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA), a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Wednesday, September 29
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
HIV
HIV Prevention, Team-Based Care, Health Professions Training, and More
See the announcement below.
Workforce
Several HRSA-funded NTTAPs present learning collaboratives:
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National Center for Farmworker Health Opportunities
NCFH offers opportunities for health center staff to explore emergency preparedness, board governance, screening for SDOH, SDOH community partnerships, and increasing access to care. Each learning collaborative will address how the topic impacts agricultural worker communities. Visit NCFH’S website to learn more, including how to apply.
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Healing-Centered Approaches to Addressing Relationship Abuse and Trafficking
The School-Based Health Alliance is partnering with Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation, led by Futures Without Violence, to offer a five-session learning collaborative for adolescent-serving school-based health centers. This opportunity is for health centers interested in building their capacity to promote healthy relationships and prevent, assess for, and respond to relationship abuse and trafficking. Apply by Tuesday, September 28.
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HIV Prevention, Team-Based Care, Health Professions Training, and More
Community Health Center, Inc., offers several opportunities for health centers to build their team’s expertise. There are opportunities focused on team-based care, postgraduate nurse practitioner residency and fellowship program, health professions training, and HIV prevention. The goal of each is to effectively move health centers from the planning stage to implementation. Learn more and apply now (one application for all opportunities).
Expanding the Rural Public Health Workforce: An Advance Briefing on New Program Funding
Tom Morris, Associate Administrator for Rural Health Policy at HRSA, will discuss upcoming funding opportunities that will support rural health networks to focus on training and placing workers in a number of high-need public health workforce tracks to serve rural communities.
Wednesday, September 29
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
New Workforce Projections Dashboard and Primary Care Data Report
Will there be a shortage or surplus of primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in the coming years? Explore the data. A new tool from HRSA’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis lets users view projections of supply and demand for health care workers by occupation, geographic area, and year.
The U.S. primary care workforce projections for 2018-2030 are the most recent data set added to the dashboard. Join us for an informational session on the new dashboard and the recently released projections.
Thursday, October 14
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here
Oral Health
UDS Dental Data Trends: The COVID-19 Impact
See the announcement above.
Telehealth
2021 Annual Telehealth Launchpad: Refueling for Sustainability Conference
Join HRSA’s Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) Region 1, Boston regional office, at the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center’s 2021 Annual Telehealth Launchpad: Refueling for Sustainability Conference.
The September 23-24 conference will be held in-person in Manchester, NH, and online. Presenters and stakeholders from across the eight-state Northeast Telehealth Resource Center region (New England, New Jersey, and New York) will share telehealth best practices and innovations, and identify opportunities to advance telehealth.
IEA staff will discuss regional use cases to highlight avenues for telehealth integration, and will share HRSA resources and available opportunities to increase health care access by advancing telehealth.
CME and CEU credits are available for accredited sessions.
Additional Resources
Screening for SDOH: Overview of Tools and Resources
Join the FHN for an overview of SDOH factors that impact vulnerable populations, including MSAWs, and learn how to better identify and screen for specific SDOH factors. Speakers will highlight information gained from the FHN's “Screening for SDOH" learning collaborative activities and will feature existing screening tools and additional resources for SDOH.
Wednesday, October 13
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
These resources are published by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP:
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Engaging the Families of Transgender and Gender Diverse Children engages pediatric primary care providers, mental health providers, health center administrators, and support staff in learning how to actively engage families in the support of their transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) children, with the aim of improving the health outcomes for TGD youth. Learn best practices for serving the families of TGD youth, and strategies for successfully providing resources and referrals in response to a variety of family and patient needs and priorities.
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LGBTQIA+ Youth and Experiences of Human Trafficking: A Healing-Centered Approach provides a framework for understanding the forces that drive human trafficking among LGBTQIA+ youth, and offers recommendations for providing meaningful, affirming, and non-judgmental care through the application of a healing-centered approach.
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