Today with Macrae Tomorrow, Plans for Family Vaccination Clinics, and More! HRSA PHC Digest

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

HRSA BPHC Primary Health Care Digest

November 30, 2021

Today With Macrae

Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Jim will welcome special guests to commemorate World AIDS Day tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 1
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: 160 208 6316

As a reminder, we post the slides and recordings for recent Today with Macrae sessions on the COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners webpage.


Feedback

Health Center Plans for Family Vaccination Clinics
We greatly appreciate your continued efforts to educate and vaccinate adults and children against COVID-19.

As you may recall, in October we asked about your health center’s plans for school-based vaccination clinics. In the coming days, we’d like to learn about your plans for hosting or participating in family vaccination clinics that are designed to make it easy and comfortable for families to get COVID-19 shots. Family vaccination clinics are intended for the whole family—offering primary vaccinations and booster shots, and the pediatric vaccine for kids ages 5-11.

We’ll send this request to your Project Director identified in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks as the single representative for your health center, regardless of the number of sites. We will confirm via a BPHC Bulletin that the email has gone out to your Project Director.

We also expect to add a new question about family vaccination clinics to the biweekly Health Center COVID-19 Survey in mid-December. We’ll let you know more as soon as possible.

This information will help us better understand how best to support you over the next few months as we continue our COVID-19 vaccination efforts.


Loan Repayment Program Announcement

White House Announces Record Number of Health Workforce Awards
Last week, the White House announced an historic $1.5 billion investment to help grow and diversify the nation’s health care workforce and bolster equitable health care in communities in need. Thanks to American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding, the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded the largest field strength in National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Nurse Corps history.

More than 22,700 primary care clinicians now serve in the nation’s underserved tribal, rural, and urban communities, including nearly 20,000 NHSC members, more than 2,500 Nurse Corps nurses, and approximately 250 awardees under a new program, the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program.

Additional ARP-funded awards are planned, with the NHSC and Nurse Corps loan repayment programs currently accepting applications.


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Jump To:  COVID-19  |  HIV  |  Workforce  |  Oral Health  |  Telehealth  |  Additional Resources


What's New

Microphone

Deadline Approaching: Present at a Patient-Centered Medical Home Health Equity Technical Assistance Symposium
BPHC will host a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Health Equity Technical Assistance (TA) Symposium on Monday, January 31, and Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Participants will have the opportunity to hear about and discuss best practices and lessons learned from peers and experts in the fields of health equity, quality improvement, and accreditation/recognition.

Health centers, you’re invited to present! See our recent bulletin for details on how to register or to submit an abstract for presentation (due by Friday, December 10).


Federal Tort Claims Act Health Center Program Site Visit Listening Sessions
The Health Center Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Program encourages HRSA stakeholders who participated in FTCA site visits to attend upcoming listening sessions. We have sent invitations to applicable stakeholders. These sessions will allow deemed health centers, site visit reviewers, and HRSA staff to provide feedback on FTCA site visit tools and resources.


HRSA’s Loan Guarantee Program: An Overview
This webinar will provide an overview of HRSA’s Health Center Facility Loan Guarantee Program (LGP). Participants will learn about the application process and recent health center projects that have benefitted from the guarantee, as well as Capital Link’s upcoming LGP Learning Collaborative. Capital Link is a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).

Thursday, December 16
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Recording Available: Public Health Community Appreciation Town Hall
During this Thanksgiving season, the Biden-Harris Administration wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the entire public health community. On Monday, November 22, the White House held a virtual Public Health Community Appreciation Town Hall, featuring HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, the White House COVID-19 Response Team, as well as other public health professionals.


New Diabetes Funding Opportunity
CDC recently released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a cooperative agreement to fund six recipients (up to $900,000 annually) for five years to assess the long-term effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and barriers to enrollment or completion of structured lifestyle interventions as implemented by the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The application deadline is Monday, January 24, 2022.


COVID-19

New

Booster Messaging Toolkit: We Can Do This
HHS expanded its toolkit for community messaging to include new materials you can use to educate your community about who is eligible for a booster (all adults!) and when they are eligible. HHS expects to make these materials available in Spanish soon.


UDS Mapper COVID-19 Tools

Overlay Health Center and COVID-19 Data with New UDS Mapper Tools
New COVID-19 data mapping tools are now available on the Uniform Data System (UDS) Mapper, an online resource that allows users to view maps of health center service sites with the demographic, socioeconomic, and population health characteristics of the surrounding geographic areas. The new tools allow you to overlay COVID-19 data from CDC and the Health Center COVID-19 Survey onto the maps of health center service area data. You can also view prevalence rates of certain underlying conditions that could increase the risk of severe illness and death due to COVID-19, as well as COVID-19 data for specific demographic and socioeconomic groups.

Learn more about how to use these tools:

UDS Mapper Advanced Topic: COVID-19 Tools and Population Health
Thursday, December 16
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Also visit the UDS Mapper to log in or register for a free account. After logging in, select “COVID-19 TOOLS" from the “Tutorials and Resources" menu to access the tools. For new users, introductory tutorials on the basic functions of the UDS Mapper are available under “TUTORIALS" on the same menu.


Pushing Back on the Digital Spread of COVID-19 Misinformation
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) hosts a webinar to discuss best practices for identifying and responding to misinformation and how health centers can use social media to combat misinformation about public health issues, starting with COVID-19 vaccination. NACHC is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.

Thursday, December 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Health Centered On

Health centers across the nation have distinguished themselves in responding to the current pandemic. Here is a recent example:

Esperanza Health Centers

Chicago Health Center Leads Efforts on Pediatric COVID-19 Shots
Esperanza Health Centers has been one of the top pediatric COVID-19 vaccine providers in Chicago, according to the city’s Department of Public Health. They have administered more than 10,000 immunizations to adolescents ages 12-17.

Now that the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is authorized for kids ages 5-11, Esperanza has taken creative approaches to reach younger children. They are texting parents of all eligible children to inform them of how to schedule shots for their kids; conducting educational sessions on pediatric vaccines for parents; and maximizing their use of social media to further spread the word.

As of Monday, November 29, Esperanza had administered nearly 2,600 doses to kids ages 5-11, with approximately 87% going to Latino/Hispanic kids residing on the southwest side of Chicago. About 60% of the kids at their vaccination site are established Esperanza patients.

“It’s so heartwarming to see kids excited to come into our vaccine center knowing that they are doing their part to help protect their families and keep themselves safe,” said Dr. Mark Minier, Esperanza’s medical director of pediatrics and school-based health services. “Kids want to stay in school and they know the vaccine is an important part of that. While there have been some occasional tears, we see a lot more smiles, high-fives, and arm-flexing pics with Band-Aids.”


Share Your Story

Please share stories profiling the diverse ways your health center is addressing COVID-19. We are especially interested in hearing about creative, innovative efforts to:

  • Administer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine doses and/or booster shots.
  • Support equity in vaccine distribution and boost vaccine confidence.

Send your story to our Health Center Stories inbox and you may see your story featured in this newsletter, 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.


ICYMI


The following COVID-19 related item ran in previous communications from the Bureau of Primary Health Care.

New Toolkit for Countering Health Misinformation
Health center providers have likely encountered patients who were reluctant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to false, inaccurate, or misleading information. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation can help to ensure that people across the country have access to science-based public health guidance as the country continues to confront the pandemic. The toolkit is interactive and collaborative, using simple language and examples to help patients understand and identify misinformation and disinformation.


Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force: Final Report and Recommendations
Established by executive order in January 2021, the Health Equity Task Force recently released its Final Report and Recommendations and Proposed Implementation Plan and Accountability Framework. The final report presents four suggested outcomes as the Task Force’s vision for change, five proposed priority actions to spur this change, and 55 final recommendations.


Community Partnerships to Promote the Equitable Distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccine Part I: Outreach and Educational Efforts
Health Outreach Partners invites you to part one of a two-part webinar series highlighting community partnerships created during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Speakers will focus on partnerships that helped enable/improve outreach and educational efforts specifically around the COVID-19 vaccine, with a special emphasis on interventions targeting special and vulnerable populations. Health Outreach Partners is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.

Tuesday, December 7
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here


HIV

HRSA to Commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1
Please join our 2021 World AIDS Day Virtual Event tomorrow. We will highlight stories from people with lived experience through storytelling and artistic expression.

Wednesday, December 1
11:00 a.m.-noon ET
Register here

World AIDS Day

Workforce

New Funding Opportunity for Nurse Faculty Loan Program
HRSA recently released a funding opportunity (HRSA-22-047) for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, which provides funding to accredited schools of nursing to establish and operate a student loan fund and provide loans to students enrolled in advanced education nursing degree programs who are committed to becoming nurse faculty. In exchange for completion of up to four years of post-graduation full-time nurse faculty employment in an accredited school of nursing, the program authorizes cancellation of up to 85% of the original student loan amount (plus interest thereon). HRSA anticipates awarding approximately $26.5 million to up to 80 grantees. Apply at Grants.gov by Thursday, January 13, 2022.

Join a TA webinar about the application and requirements:

Thursday, December 16
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session


New Funding Opportunity for Dentistry Training
HRSA recently released a funding opportunity (HRSA-22-045) for accredited schools of dentistry or dental hygiene, hospitals, and other entities to carry out a dentistry training program. HRSA anticipates awarding approximately $4.5 million to 15 grantees. Apply at Grants.gov by Monday, February, 7, 2022.

Join a TA webinar about the application and requirements:

Tuesday, December 14
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session


2021-2022 PCA and HCCN Workforce Professional Development Series
The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s (ACU) STAR2 Center invites staff from Primary Care Associations (PCAs) and Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) to participate in an upcoming workforce professional development series. The series aims to bolster workforce efforts internally at PCAs and HCCNs, and to help these organizations provide a robust support system for recruitment and retention at health centers. Topics include workforce action plans, using data in workforce planning, employee satisfaction and wellness, and more. ACU is a HRSA-funded NTTAP. See dates and times and register here.


Call for Podcast Interviewees to Discuss Employee Self-Care
ACU’s STAR2 Center is looking for health center clinicians, leadership, and staff interested in participating in a 20 to 30-minute interview for a podcast series focusing on the need for organizationally-supported employee self-care. If you are interested in discussing how you engage in self-care and how your organization supports self-care, please fill out the application.


These HRSA-funded NTTAPs present learning collaboratives:

  • Streamlining Information Technology Infrastructure for a Successful Telehealth Program
    The Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center presents a four-part learning collaborative on information technology infrastructure for a successful telehealth program. Topics will include: assessing technology and identifying best practices for streamlining telehealth workflows; aligning telehealth technology with financial sustainability; telehealth technology vendor considerations; and operationalizing telehealth technology strategies. Register here.

  • Virtual Grand Rounds: Ethical Documentation of Social History in the Time of Data Sharing
    The HITEQ Center, Migrant Clinicians Network, the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, and Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation present a four-part learning collaborative on ethical documentation of social history in the time of data sharing. Participants will examine case examples that explore the ethical considerations of electronic health record documentation of sensitive patient information. Learn more and apply.

Oral Health

New Funding Opportunity for Dentistry Training
See the announcement above.


Telehealth

Streamlining Information Technology Infrastructure for a Successful Telehealth Program Learning Collaborative
See the announcement above.


Additional Resources

Healthy Eating Toolkit

Healthy Eating Toolkit for Health Professionals
Just in time for the holidays, the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has developed a healthy eating toolkit for health professionals. Use the materials to start a conversation and share key messages with patients on healthy food and beverage choices.


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Training & Technical Assistance

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

Through December 7

Farmworker Housing as a Social Determinant of Health
Hosted by Farmworker Justice, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, November 30
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

¿Estamos Preparados para la Siguiente Emergencia? (Webinar Series in Spanish: Are We Prepared for the Next Emergency?)
Hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, and the Puerto Rico Primary Care Association
Register for the two-part series
Sessions occur 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Tuesday, November 30,
and Wednesday, December 15

Call to Action to Address Social Isolation and Telehealth Adoption for the Rural Elderly
Co-hosted with HRSA-funded Graduate Workforce Education Programs
Tuesday, November 30
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Join the session

HRSA World AIDS Day Commemoration
Wednesday, December 1
11:00 a.m.-noon ET
Register here

Weitzman ECHO Webinar Series on COVID-19
Hosted by Community Health Center, Inc., a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, December 1
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Finding the 1 in 3: How to Identify, Refer, and Engage People with Prediabetes
Hosted by the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH), a HRSA-funded NTTAP, and the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists
Wednesday, December 1
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Preventing HIV with PrEP: New Opportunities and Stories from the Field
Hosted by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, December 1
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Vaccine Hesitancy and Ethics
Part of the Medical Ethics in a COVID Aware World: Listening Session Series (visit to see all dates and times)
Hosted by the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC), a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, December 1
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Diabetes Prevention for Patients of Color at Community Health Centers
Hosted by the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) and the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC), both HRSA-funded NTTAPs
Wednesday, December 1
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here
**1.5 CE available**

Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Wednesday, December 1
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: 160 208 6316

Pushing Back on the Digital Spread of COVID-19 Misinformation
Hosted by NACHC, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, December 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

The HRSA UDS Sealant Measure: 2021 Annual Update
Hosted by the National Network for Oral Health Access, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Friday, December 3
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

The Impact of Health Literacy on Diabetes Mellitus
Hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, December 7
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

PCMH Office Hours: Q-PASS Overview/Q & A
Hosted by the National Committee for Quality Assurance
Tuesday, December 7
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Community Partnerships to Promote the Equitable Distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccine Part I: Outreach and Educational Efforts
Hosted by Health Outreach Partners, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, December 7
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here


Upcoming

The Joint Commission’s Intracycle Risk Evaluation Educational Visits
Hosted by The Joint Commission
Wednesday, December 8
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here (for the “Key” field, enter: TJCEd)

Introduction to the UDS Mapper
Wednesday, December 8
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

National Diabetes Prevention Program Community of Practice Webinar Series
Hosted by NNCC, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, December 8
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here (visit to see all dates and times)

Clinical Leaders Forum: A Focused Discussion on the Nursing Workforce
Wednesday, December 8
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Grant-Writing Basics: Aligning with MCHB’s Strategic Plan, Preparing a Budget, and Understanding the HRSA Grant Review Process
Wednesday, December 8
3:30-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Optimizing Nurse Care Coordinators in Hepatitis C Treatment
Hosted by NNCC, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, December 8
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Provider Strategies to Boost COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence
Thursday, December 9
Noon-1:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Health and Housing Partnerships: Guide to Using Online Tools and Resources
Hosted by the Corporation for Supportive Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, December 9
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Preventing Diabetes: Practical Steps to Getting Started with the National Diabetes Prevention Program
Hosted by NCFH, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, December 9
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring Forum Meeting
Hosted by CDC and NACHC (using CDC funding)
Thursday, December 9
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

The Role of Medical-Legal Partnerships in Harm Reduction Models
Hosted by the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, December 14
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

New Funding Opportunity for Dentistry Training
Tuesday, December 14
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session

Reducing Health Disparities by Addressing Integrated Behavioral Health in a Maternal Child Health Care Setting
Wednesday, December 15
1:00-1:30 p.m. ET
Register here
**1.0 CE available**

The Role of Family Caregivers in Identifying & Addressing SUD in Older Adults
Hosted by the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, December 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Federal Tort Claims Act Office Hours for Clinical Leaders
Hosted by NACHC, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, December 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here (visit to see all dates and times)

2021-2022 PCA and HCCN Workforce Professional Development Series
Hosted by the ACU STAR2 Center; ACU is a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, December 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Community Violence and Mental Health: Health Center Strategies for Violence Prevention and Intervention
Hosted by NNCC, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, December 15
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here
**1.5 CE available**

COVID-19’s Effect on Access to Care for Underserved Populations: An Examination of Telehealth and Provider Attrition
Thursday, December 16
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

HRSA’s Loan Guarantee Program: An Overview
Hosted by Capital Link, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, December 16
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Diabetes Resources for Health Centers Serving Special and Vulnerable Populations
Hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, December 16
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

New Funding Opportunity for Nurse Faculty Loan Program
Thursday, December 16
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session

UDS Mapper Advanced Topics: COVID-19 Tools and Population Health
Thursday, December 16
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Virtual Engagement for Professionals: Center of Excellence Web Series
Hosted by NNCC and the HITEQ Center, both HRSA-funded NTTAPs
Thursday, December 16
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here (visit to see all dates and times)

Language Access at Community Health Centers
Hosted by AAPCHO and Farmworker Justice, both HRSA-funded NTTAPs
Thursday, December 16
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Community Health Worker Virtual Technical Assistance on Emerging Issues Affecting Latino and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Communities
Hosted by MHP Salud, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, December 16
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Emergency Shelter Facilities in the COVID Era
Part of the Medical Ethics in a COVID Aware World: Listening Session Series (visit to see all dates and times)
Hosted by the NHCHC, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Friday, December 17
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.