What's New
HRSA Researchers Discuss the Importance of Integrated Care on Managed Care Cast
HRSA researchers joined a recent episode of Managed Care Cast to discuss a HRSA-funded study examining health care system superutilization among a subset of health center patients with complex health conditions. They emphasized the importance of taking a whole-person approach to care delivery and the opportunity to better leverage care teams. Listen to the February 25 episode on The American Journal of Managed Care site and visit the Health Center Library to read the related article, “Intersection of Complexity and High Utilization among Health Center Patients Aged 18 to 64 Years.”
Quarterly 340B Program Registration
Quarterly 340B Program site registration is open from April 1 to 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, May 27. After that date, the system will close to prepare for the July 1 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.
Pay Equity Checklist
Developed by the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s (ACU) STAR2 Center, the Pay Equity Checklist will help health centers to look holistically at their compensation practices and ensure that they are recognizing the quality of the work of their employees rather than other factors that have historically kept marginalized groups from advancement. ACU is a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).
Request for Information: Community-Based Research Networks and Clinical Trials
NIH’s National Institute on Aging released a Request for Information (RFI) and specifically seeks input from health centers and Health Center Program stakeholders. Access the RFI to share your insights.
The seven-question RFI asks for comments and suggestions on the potential of community-based research networks to help expand the diversity of participants in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias clinical trials. NIH is specifically interested in insights that will enhance the sustainable engagement of underrepresented people from different geographic localities, people from rural communities, and people of diverse races and ethnicities in these clinical trials. If you have any questions, please contact NIH.
COVID-19
Test to Treat for COVID-19
Last week, the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) launched a nationwide Test to Treat initiative. The Test to Treat initiative website includes important information, including a fact sheet.
We know that many health centers are already doing this work. In fact, we featured several of them in our March 4 Test to Treat webinar (watch the recording). We’re eager to add Test to Treat stories to our Health Center Stories collection. Is your health center a one-stop for patients to get tested for COVID-19 and, if positive, get treatment? We want to hear from you—whether or not your health center is participating in our COVID-19 Response Programs!
Email HRSA Health Center Stories to submit your story for possible promotion on the website, in a HRSA newsletter, or on HRSA social media. If sharing a photo, please include a high-resolution image and a HRSA Photo Release Form for each person featured.
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COVID-19 Response Programs and Community Partnerships
Participants in our COVID-19 Response Programs (i.e., vaccines, testing supplies, therapeutics, and N95 masks) should regularly check-in to the Health Center COVID-19 Online Community for upcoming webinars and events, program announcements, and training/technical assistance materials.
We encourage health centers to consider their ordering numbers as they work closely with their community partners to distribute essential supplies to these populations, including older adults, people with disabilities, and residents of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-assisted housing. For additional information, please see the following announcements regarding these partnerships from the White House, HRSA and the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and HUD.
Supporting H-2A Workers’ Access to Health Care
Speakers will provide an overview of H-2A worker eligibility for health insurance and share strategies and resources to promote health insurance and health care access. They will also discuss access to COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in Mexico and in the U.S.
Wednesday, March 23
Noon-1:30 p.m. ET
Register here
This training will be in Spanish with English interpretation available. This is presented by the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH), a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Special and Vulnerable Populations COVID-19 Forum
Join several NTTAPs to hear discussion of how COVID-19 has impacted health centers and the special populations they serve. Suma Nair, PhD, Director of BPHC's Office of Quality Improvement, will provide up-to-date information about assistance for health centers.
Guest speakers from the National Council for Mental Health and Wellbeing and the National Latino Behavioral Health Association will discuss how to address the COVID-19-related challenges to the mental health of underserved populations.
Friday, March 25
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register now
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Two Years On: What the Data Says about Health Centers’ COVID-19 Efforts
Speakers from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) will highlight the data collected by health centers throughout the public health emergency, with the opportunity for participants to reflect on and share their experiences.
Thursday, April 7
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
NHCHC is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Connecting in Times of Pandemic: Digital Outreach Strategies to Disseminate Information
In this NCFH training, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante will share strategies and tools for using digital outreach to reach agricultural workers, specifically (but not exclusively) H-2A visa workers. The presenter will also discuss the use of these tools for communicating relevant information to workers about their labor rights and existing alternatives for their defense.
Wednesday, April 20
Noon-1:30 p.m. ET
Register here
This training will be in Spanish with English interpretation available.
Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage between Urban and Rural Counties
CDC’s new report shows that COVID-19 vaccination coverage with the first dose of the primary vaccination series was lower in rural than in urban counties, and disparities have increased nearly threefold since April 2021. Uptake of booster and additional doses was similarly low in both rural and urban counties.
Workforce
National Health Service Corps Scholarship New Site Application Open
Eligible health care facilities can now apply for approval as a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholarship site. NHSC-approved sites with an inactive status may also apply to recertify their approved status during the open cycle. Eligibility includes health care sites that provide outpatient, ambulatory, and primary health care services (medical, dental, and behavioral health) to populations residing in high-need urban, tribal, or rural areas. Additional eligible site types include facilities providing general substance use disorder treatment, a medication-assisted treatment program, or an opioid treatment program. Apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 10.
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NHSC Scholarship Program Accepting Applications
HRSA’s 2022 NHSC Scholarship Program application cycle is open to eligible medical, dental, nursing, and physician assistant students. In exchange for two years of service in a community in need, scholars receive tuition assistance and more. With additional funds available, HRSA expects to award a significant number of scholars in 2022. Learn more or apply by 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 5.
Nurse Corps Scholarship Program Application Open
Eligible nurses can apply to HRSA’s Nurse Corps Scholarship Program by 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 5. In exchange for two years of service in a critical shortage facility, scholars receive tuition assistance and more.
HRSA-funded NTTAPs present learning collaboratives:
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Recruitment Boot Camp
Join ACU’s STAR2 Center to explore how to execute a successful recruitment campaign and develop a comprehensive workforce plan. Participants will receive guidance, tools, and templates to update their recruitment processes and lay the groundwork for additional workforce planning. Apply by close of business on Friday, April 1.
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SDOH Care Improvement and SDOH Screening Start-Up
Through its Youth Safety Net Project, the School-Based Health Alliance announces two opportunities focused on social determinants of health (SDOH). The first will help health centers improve and expand existing SDOH practices, while learning about sustainable business practices. The second will help health centers create and develop a sustainable screening practice, while learning best practices for SDOH care coordination with school and community partners. Apply by Wednesday, April 6.
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Engaging and Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth and Their Families in a Clinical Setting
This opportunity from The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center is for pediatric primary care or mental health care providers, health center administrators, and support staff. Learn about welcoming and affirming clinic environments and how to engage families in supporting their transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children to improve health outcomes. Gain strategies for successfully responding to various family and patient needs and priorities. Apply now.
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Implementing Screening of People with Disabilities and Functional Needs during Disasters
The National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH) invites health centers to learn how to work with people with disabilities and community organizations to create customized emergency preparedness kits and plans. Register now.
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Addressing COVID-19’s Impact on Health Centers’ Finance and Operations and Response Planning for Future COVID-19 Outbreaks and Other Emergencies
NCHPH will guide participants through the challenges and solutions for addressing the financial and operational impacts of COVID-19 on health centers serving residents of public housing and other underserved communities, with an emphasis on applied response planning for future emergencies. Register now.
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Building Sustainable Partnerships with the Community Centered Health Homes Model
Health centers have long been on the forefront of addressing SDOH despite often limited community resources. NHCHC invites you to learn about the community centered health homes model and how to address the root causes of SDOH through creative partnerships. Apply today (the first session is Thursday, March 17).
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Help! My Patient Says They Were Hurt by A Partner – What Do I and the Clinic Need to Do Now?
Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation invites health centers to learn how to build partnerships with community-based organizations (such as domestic violence programs) through bi-directional agreements and memoranda of understanding. Apply by 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 23.
Additional Resources
Mind Over Matter: Addressing SDOH and Using Health Consciousness to Improve Nutrition in Diabetic Patients Twitter Chat
NCHPH and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) are collaborating on a Twitter chat on health consciousness and its effect on diabetes management. Join to discuss a range of interventions, promote resources, and disseminate best practices to all attendees.
Thursday, March 17
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
NCHPH and NACHC are both HRSA-funded NTTAPs.
Increasing Awareness on Healthy Food Choices for Obese and Overweight Adults
In a podcast episode, speakers from NCHPH discusses the difference between being overweight and obese, obesity causes, complications, and how food choices can impact being overweight or obese. They also provide information on what health centers are doing to address this issue.
Focusing on Structural Racism to Address SDOH
The concept of SDOH is rooted in an understanding that the conditions that people are born into (and live in) shape their health. Structural racism is a primary driver of inequities in the conditions in which people of color are born and live. Therefore, all work to improve health by addressing SDOH requires an explicit focus on addressing structural racism and mitigating its impact on patients.
This paper from the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) provides examples of how structural racism in housing has affected inequities in SDOH and health outcomes. CSH is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
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