White House Summit on the American Rescue Plan and Workforce, Over $43 Million to Optimize Health Center Use of Health Information Tools, and more

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

July 21, 2022

HRSA Administrator Speaks at White House Summit on the American Rescue Plan and Workforce

workforce summit american rescue plan

Administrator Carole Johnson spoke at the White House Summit on the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Workforce earlier this month. In her speech, she made the point that the American Rescue Plan provides both a lifeline to help the nation’s health care system through the pandemic and the seeds that will transform our health care system for years to come.

ARP funds have:

  • Ensured health centers have staff and supplies to help patients deal with COVID-19, including receiving vaccinations
  • Help fund programs to focus on the health of the health workforce
  • Provided a large investment in the National Health Service Corps

View the Summit.


HRSA Invests Over $43 Million to Optimize Health Center Use of Health Information Tools

health center illustration

HRSA awarded over $43 million to 49 Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs). These funds will support over 1,200 health centers nationwide to improve care quality, reduce health disparities, and engage in value-based care delivery through the use of health technologies.

Health information technology has become essential in enabling the delivery of high-quality, culturally competent, equitable, and comprehensive primary health care, which has increased the need for health centers to expand their use of digital health tools.

Visit the HCCN technical assistance webpage for award recipient information and resources.


People's Choice Award Finalist: Suma Nair

suma nair

Thank you to everyone who voted for Suma Nair of HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) for Partnership for Public Service’s People's Choice Award! Though Nair was not selected as the winner, HRSA celebrates the honor of her nomination and progress as a finalist.

The prize recognizes excellence in the federal workforce. A nearly 20-year veteran of the agency, Nair is the Director of the BPHC Office of Quality Improvement. She was instrumental in launching an entirely new program that funneled thousands of COVID-19 testing supplies, masks, therapeutics, and vaccine doses to the nation's most remote, exposed, and medically underserved populations.


FY 2021 HRSA Fact Sheets and Fact Sheet Maps

hrsa data hub fact sheet map

Our Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Fact Sheets and Fact Sheet Maps are now available. Along with this release, Data by Geography, Find Grants, and Data Explorer now have the ratified FY 2021 HRSA awarded grants data. 

As part of this project, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) collaborated with all bureaus and offices to define the narratives and produce summary reports of the grant award totals for each FY at the national, regional, state, county, and Congressional District levels. 

Visit data.hrsa.gov to explore maps, data, reports and dashboards.  


Recruitment for Deputy Associate Administrator

hiring graphic

Our Bureau of Primary Health Care is recruiting for a second Deputy Associate Administrator position through two postings:

This senior executive level position is open to the public. Both postings close on Thursday, August 11.

HRSA Associate Administrator Jim Macrae will host an informational session for this position on Wednesday, July 27, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. You can also join by phone: 833-568-8864. Webinar ID: 160 996 7173.


REMINDER: HRSA’s Building Bridges to Better Health: A Primary Health Care Challenge

building bridges to better health

Our Building Bridges to Better Health: A Primary Health Care Challenge is a national competition with a total of $1 million in cash prizes to encourage innovation through technical assistance to health centers.

Participants will accelerate the development of low-cost, scalable solutions to help health centers improve patient access to primary care and strengthen the link between health care and social services. Phase 1 submissions are due Tuesday, August 2.

The competition is open to broad public participation, including individuals, groups, health care organizations, and other entities. Visit Challenge.gov for more information, including submission requirements, eligibility, prize amounts, and a recording of the informational webinar. 

Submit your solution today!


Affordable Connectivity Program

father and daughter on iphone

Patients and providers can maximize cost savings on internet bills. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline are federal government programs that help eligible households pay for internet services and internet connected devices.

Eligible families who pair their benefit with one of the partnered internet providers can receive high-speed internet at no cost. Households may be eligible to receive both the ACP and Lifeline programs, and combine with other state and local benefits where available.