What's New
Share Your Story
Has your health center used innovative approaches to improve patient care? Send your stories to HRSA Health Center Stories for possible promotion in HRSA communications. We are particularly interested in stories about:
- Participation in our COVID-19 Response Programs
- Workforce management
- Maternal and child health
Your story may be added to our Health Center Stories collection.
|
Fiscal Year 2021 American Rescue Plan – Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements Office Hour
Our Capital Specialist team will host an office hour to answer questions and provide additional assistance to fiscal year (FY) 2021 American Rescue Plan Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements (ARP-Capital, C8E) awardees. Feel free to come with questions and/or listen and learn from others.
Wednesday, April 20
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Visit the ARP-Capital technical assistance (TA) webpage for award recipient information, FAQs, and additional resources.
Live Q&A for FY 2020 Primary Care HIV Prevention Awardees
HRSA will host a question and answer session on required tri-annual progress reporting and closeout activities for health centers that received a FY 2020 Primary Care HIV Prevention (PCHP) award (HRSA-20-091).
Thursday, April 7
3:30-4:30 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: 161 605 0021
For more information, visit the FY 2020 PCHP TA webpage.
New Research: Mental Health Staffing at HRSA-Funded Health Centers May Improve Access to Care
A newly released study finds that health centers need at least one full-time mental health provider—regardless of provider type—to significantly increase the likelihood that patients who need mental health care will access these services onsite or in the community. These findings further support HRSA’s investments in behavioral health services over the last five years. To read the published article, and other articles about quality care delivered by health centers, visit BPHC's Health Center Library.
Contacted Health Center Program Support? Rate Our Service
Whether you've had a pleasant experience or feel we could do better, the Health Center Program Support team would like to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the customer service survey embedded in the auto-generated email you receive after we resolve your issue or complete your request.
|
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.
Join the Social Determinants of Health Information Exchange Learning Forum
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announces a learning forum to share lessons learned, promising practices, and challenges related to exchanging social determinants of health (SDOH) data. Join monthly webinars and smaller group sessions for discussions of priority topics like governance, technical infrastructure, interoperability, financing, and policy considerations.
The forum kicks off TODAY:
1:30-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here (visit to see all dates and times)
HRSA Promotes Access to Gender Affirming Care and Treatment in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
HRSA announced that it has released a letter encouraging Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program service providers to leverage their existing infrastructure to provide access to gender affirming care and treatment services to transgender and gender diverse individuals with HIV. The press release includes a link to the letter.
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 deadline for sending feedback is Saturday, April 9.
NIH asks for feedback on the potential of community-based research networks to help expand the diversity of participants in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias clinical trials. They’re 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
New COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
CDC’s new COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Calculator takes the stress out of figuring when, and for how long, people with COVID-19 and close contacts need to stay home, get tested, and wear a well-fitting mask. It provides important information about what precautions people with COVID-19 and their close contacts can take to protect loved ones and slow the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.
We encourage you to share the calculator with your colleagues and patients. You can even add the calculator to your health center’s website by embedding the syndicated content code available on CDC’s site.
This tool is not for:
- People with COVID-19 who are moderately or severely ill or who have a weakened immune system. Health care providers can learn more about ending isolation for these populations by referring to the Ending Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19: Interim Guidance webpage.
- Cases and close contacts identified in certain settings. Parents with children in K-12 schools or early care and education programs should consult the program administrator for specific isolation and quarantine guidance in their school or care setting.
CDC Report Underscores the Continued Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination
In January 2022, unvaccinated adults and those vaccinated with a primary series but no booster or additional dose were 12 and 3 times as likely to be hospitalized, respectively, as were adults who received booster or additional doses. Hospitalization rates among non-Hispanic Black adults increased more than rates in other racial/ethnic groups. Read CDC's report.
HHS’ We Can Do This website offers materials you can use to encourage your community to get boosted, including social media posts, print materials, and more.
 |
|
These COVID-19 related items ran in previous issues of the Digest.
|
COVID-19 Response Programs Office Hours
We have combined the Office Hours for all of our COVID-19 Response Programs. While the sessions are geared toward participants, any HRSA-supported health center is welcome to attend.
Register one time and you’ll have access to all Office Hour sessions from now until February 2023. You’ll receive an email with the link to add these to your calendar and reminder emails ahead of individual sessions. You can also submit questions prior to each session.
The next session is 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 5.
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 National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).
Colon Cancer Awareness Month
A HRSA-Funded Research Brief Explores Geographic Variation of Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates and the Impact of COVID-19
A new HRSA-funded research brief shows that all 10 HHS regions experienced declines in colorectal cancer screening rates in 2020, and states in the southeastern U.S. had the lowest screening rates. Declines in the rates of colorectal cancer screening due to the pandemic could negatively impact future health outcomes. Findings from this analysis highlight the need for patient outreach and education about the importance of preventive care, particularly in the geographic areas with low colorectal cancer screening rates. View the results of other health center research and evaluation projects.
Is your health center looking to boost colorectal cancer screening rates? These tools can help:
|
Behavioral Health
Billing and Coding Best Practices to Sustain Integrated Behavioral Health Services
Join a presentation on integrated behavioral health documentation, billing, and coding to support financial sustainability, as well as an overview of a billing and coding decision tree for behavioral health consultant services. The presentation will include interactive activities providing clinical encounter examples to determine corresponding Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and diagnoses.
Wednesday, April 6
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here
**1.0 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.
Workforce
Virtual Workshops for Health Centers Interested in School-Based Care
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and the School-Based Health Alliance (SBHA) offer two virtual workshops for health centers on the key elements of providing school-based health care. Topics include enhancing school-based partnerships and the distinct operational considerations for providing school-based health care. Get details and register to attend.
NACHC and SBHA are both HRSA-funded NTTAPs.
Workforce Symposium and Retention & Recruitment Workshop
The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s (ACU) STAR2 Center invites health center staff to Nashville, TN, for a deep dive into promoting resilience and transformations in care to effectively support health center teams. Following the Workforce Symposium, the STAR2 Center offers a Retention & Recruitment Planning Workshop. This interactive training will jump-start health center teams’ creation or revamping of a plan.
Sessions take place on Monday, May 2, through Thursday, May 5. Early bird registration for these events closes on Friday, April 1.
ACU is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Health Workforce Research Center Funding Available
HRSA’s Health Workforce Research Center funding opportunity application is now open through Thursday, April 14. HRSA anticipates funding up to nine cooperative agreements for a total $4.95 million investment. The awards will support and disseminate rigorous research that strengthens evidence-based policy and enhance understanding of issues and trends in the health workforce.
HRSA-funded NTTAPs present learning collaboratives:
-
Look-Alike Health Centers
NACHC invites leadership teams from 15-20 Health Center Program look-alikes to connect with peers and exchange tools, resources, and best practices. Apply by Wednesday, March 30.
-
Centering Trauma Literacy in the Health Center Medical Home
Join the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC) and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to explore the definition and importance of trauma literacy as it relates to staff and patient well-being, particularly for health centers serving residents of public housing and other special populations. Apply by Monday, April 18.
-
Revenue Cycle
NACHC will host this peer-to-peer learning series. Participants will use real-life challenges and apply strategies to ensure productive revenue cycle functions. Apply now.
-
SDOH Care Improvement and SDOH Screening Start-Up
Through its Youth Safety Net Project, SBHA announces two opportunities focused on 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.
-
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.
Find other NTTAP learning collaboratives in the Health Center Resource Clearinghouse.
Additional Resources
Improving the Health of Public Housing Residents through Intentional Health Center and Housing Authority Partnerships
In collaboration with NNCC, NCHPH’s webinar will highlight the health center and housing authority partnerships that have led to improved health for public housing residents. Speakers from North End Waterfront Health Center (NEW Health) and the Boston Housing Authority will describe promising practices on improving health education and outreach, access to care, and distribution of COVID-19 related supplies.
Thursday, April 7
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
NNCC and NCHPH are both HRSA-funded NTTAPs.
2021 CDC STI Guidelines Bootcamp: Where to Look and What to Do?
Join us to hear Dr. Laura Bachmann of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention speak on:
- Trends in sexually transmitted infection (STI), with an emphasis on syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
- How to implement the 2021 STI guidelines for treatment and care.
- The importance of screening and treatment for extragenital gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Wednesday, April 13
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Viral Hepatitis: Advances in Care and Treatment – Closing the Gap!
In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month (on Hepatitis Testing Day!), we invite you to a discussion of the state of viral hepatitis in the U.S. and how HRSA-funded health centers are addressing it. Speakers including Dr. Robert Gish of La Maestra Health Center (San Diego, CA), Dr. Fares Khater of Mountain Comprehensive Healthcare (Prestonsburg, KY), and Dr. John Guilfoose of West Virginia University will describe challenges and share best practices.
Thursday, May 19
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here
In case you missed it:
Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.
Do you forward the Digest to others?
Encourage them to subscribe.
|
Sign up for eNews
Connect with HRSA
