What's New
Change in Reporting Schedule: Fiscal Year 2021 American Rescue Plan – Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements Progress Reports
In an effort to reduce health center burden, HRSA has changed the fiscal year (FY) 2021 American Rescue Plan Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements (ARP-Capital, C8E) progress reporting schedule to semi-annual instead of quarterly.
Your first ARP-Capital semi-annual progress report submission is due in EHBs by Monday, May 16. The progress report will cover a reporting period of Wednesday, September 15, 2021, to Saturday, April 30.
HRSA will also release a new Notice of Award (NoA) that reflects the change in the progress reporting schedule. Visit the ARP-Capital Technical Assistance (TA) webpage for more information and TA resources.
Please submit your questions about progress reporting via the BPHC Contact Form.
DUE TODAY: FY 2022 Health Center Controlled Networks NOFO Applications
Applications for the FY 2022 Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCN) NOFO (HRSA-22-009) are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET TODAY, February 1. Applications are due in EHBs by 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 2.
Funded HCCNs will support health centers in leveraging health information technology (health IT) and data to deliver high-quality, culturally competent, equitable, and comprehensive primary health care, with a specific focus on improvements in:
- Clinical quality,
- Patient-centered care, and
- Provider and staff well-being.
TA resources are available on the HCCN TA webpage.
Connect with an HCCN
Although this may be a challenging time to plan ahead, HRSA continues to encourage HRSA-supported health centers to connect with an HCCN. HCCNs are groups of health centers collaborating to improve operational and clinical practices by making technology easier for providers and patients to use, increasing the security of patient information, and using data to improve patient care. HCCNs support and expand the use of health IT and data in health centers to enhance the impact of COVID-19 response efforts.
HCCNs will play a key role in assisting health centers with implementing the transition to UDS+, using health IT to strengthen care coordination, reducing administrative burden through improved workflows, and facilitating data exchange with local, state/territory, and national public health bodies.
Submit Questions for the UDS Mapper Office Hour
The UDS Mapper user support team will answer questions and offer personalized assistance at an upcoming office hour session:
Friday, February 11
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Submit questions in advance via the Help bubble on the UDS Mapper website.
The UDS Mapper is an online resource that allows users to view maps of health center service delivery sites and provider characteristics overlaid with the demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics of the surrounding populations. New users can see the slides or watch the recording from a past “Introduction to the UDS Mapper” webinar prior to the office hour.
Webinar Recording Available: Health Center Activities and Innovations – ARP (H8F) Funding
Watch the recording of this recent webinar featuring health centers from NY and OH sharing how they are using ARP funding to confront and overcome challenges related to COVID-19 testing and vaccination. We will also add this to the resources available on the H8F TA webpage.
Intersection of Complexity and High Utilization among Health Center Patients Aged 18 to 64 Years
A recently published HRSA co-authored study identified mental health and chronic conditions that drive health care system super-utilization among a small subset of health center patients with complex health conditions. The findings highlight the importance of primary and mental health care coordination to meet the needs of health center patients with complex health conditions, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs. Visit BPHC's Health Center Library to read this and other articles about quality care delivered by health centers.
A New Identity to Reflect the Focus of the Office of Health Center Investment Oversight
BPHC’s Office of Health Center Investment Oversight announces a new identity for the Project Officer, whose title will now be Investment Oversight Advisor (IOA). The new name aligns the role with the office’s focus on performance and outcomes. IOAs are unique to this office. They are responsible for monitoring and oversight of supplemental awards and Health Center Program investments other than the H80 grant. Whether newly assigned, or a familiar voice, your IOAs are looking forward to partnering with you as your trusted advisors for Health Center Program investments.
340B Recertification Takes Place January 31-February 28
Covered entities that do not recertify by the deadline of Monday, February 28, will be terminated from the HRSA 340B Program starting on Tuesday, March 1. They will require a new registration and will not be eligible to participate in the 340B Program until the next quarter starting July 1.
To recertify, Authorizing Officials and Primary Contacts must first set up user accounts by visiting the HRSA 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System (340B OPAIS) and choosing “I am a participant.” It is the covered entity’s responsibility to ensure they have created their accounts before recertification to allow successful completion of the process. For questions or assistance, email the 340B call center or call 888-340-2787 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET).
COVID-19
Fourth Shots for Some Immunocompromised People
Per CDC, moderately or severely immunocompromised people ages 5 and older who completed their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine primary series and people ages 18 and older who completed their Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series should plan to get an additional primary dose at least 28 days after their second dose.
These people also need to get a booster (fourth) shot at the right time. There’s been recent media coverage of instances where they may be being denied this opportunity. Please see CDC guidance for questions on the schedule for vaccinating this population and a definition of “moderately or severely immunocompromised.”
As a reminder, HHS’ We Can Do This site offers materials that you can use to encourage your community to get boosted. This includes social media posts, print materials, and more.
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Health Center COVID-19 FAQs
We continue to update our COVID-19 FAQs webpage.
We recently updated the information about monoclonal antibody therapeutics and added new information about oral antiviral therapeutics and the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Therapeutics Program.
American Heart Month
Health centers are 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. The following resources can support these efforts at your health center.
- NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and The Heart Truth® program developed a suite of resources for clinicians.
- CDC developed hypertension toolkits highlighting resources, graphics, and social media messages for American Heart Month.
We’ll feature additional resources throughout the month!
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Behavioral Health
Findings from the Report, “Building the Evidence Base for Social Determinants of Health Interventions”
Speakers will provide an overview of findings from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation report published in September 2021. They will discuss specific intervention components that improve health, and which interventions might achieve sustained and lasting improvements.
Wednesday, February 16
1:00-1:30 p.m. ET
Register here
**0.5 CE available**
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Behavioral Health Care Support
HRSA recently announced the availability of $13 million in funding to increase access to quality behavioral health care services in rural America.
Register Now for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®
NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse invites health centers to join in during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (March 21-27). This is a week-long national health observance highlighting the science-based facts about drugs, alcohol, and addiction. Learn more and register your event.
HIV
PACHA to the People
The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) expects to spend considerable time at its upcoming meeting on community engagement. Save the date:
Monday, March 14,
and Tuesday, March 15
10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET
We’ll share more information when it’s available!
Workforce
HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs) present learning collaboratives:
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Gender, Homelessness, and Interpersonal Violence: Building Equitable Systems to Support Survivors and Providers
Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation and The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) invite health center staff interested in learning to support underserved populations at the intersection of gender and homelessness through community partnerships. Participants will engage with national experts and connect with other providers across the country. Content and discussions will include both clinical and non-clinical perspectives, so multidisciplinary teams from health centers should apply together if possible. Apply by Friday, February 11.
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The Health Center Resource Clearinghouse: Developing Strategies for Engaging Learners
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) invites training and development managers and staff from health centers and Primary Care Associations (PCAs) to join. You will collaborate to strengthen the Clearinghouse’s efforts to build out more structured ways to learn. The focus will be on bundling resources, refining promising practices, introducing micro-learning, and improving ways for health centers to participate in learning collaboratives. Apply to participate.
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Planning and Financing a Capital Project to Accommodate Integrated Care
Capital Link invites health centers anticipating the need for a capital project during the next one to five years to join this opportunity. You will receive practical direction and tools for planning, financing, and completing a capital project. Apply by Friday, February 11.
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Intimate Partner Violence + Exploitation during COVID-19 in Farmworker Communities
Join Farmworker Justice, Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation, and Migrant Clinicians Network to examine intimate partner violence (IPV) and exploitation in farmworker communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will focus on tools and strategies that health centers and community-based organizations can use to prevent and respond to IPV and exploitation among agricultural workers. All tools will be based on principles of universal education and partnerships among community programs. Learn more or apply by Friday, February 11.
HRSA’s State Loan Repayment Program is Open
The Biden-Harris Administration’s ARP made $100 million available to fund state-run programs that support, recruit, and retain primary care clinicians through HRSA’s State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). All 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories can apply to receive between $80,000 and $1 million annually to fund their own loan repayment programs for providers serving in underserved areas.
The funding opportunity has two new flexibilities available throughout the next project period (FY 2022-2026):
- No cost-sharing requirement: States are not required to demonstrate a match for the federal funding received through the grant. However, we encourage states to secure some level of funding match through public or private entities.
- Administrative costs: States have the opportunity to dedicate 10% of the SLRP award to administrative costs. This provision increases the capacity to administer a loan repayment program across states, especially those new to the SLRP grant funding.
Apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, April 8. Notices of Award will be announced prior to the project start date of Sunday, May 1.
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Additional Resources
Housing is Health Care
This video from the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) explores the importance of housing as a social determinant of health and why housing equals health care. Health centers will learn how they can play an integral role through partnership and direct services to secure housing for patients. CSH is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Resources on Housing Insecurity
NHCHC produced resources to support health centers of all funding types in serving people experiencing housing insecurity.
Filling the HCH Gap: Case Studies of Non-HCH Health Centers Serving People Experiencing Homelessness profiles five non-HCH health centers who provide services to people without homes through a range of services. Watch the recording of a related webinar and view an infographic on the different federal definitions of homelessness.
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