What's New
Monkeypox Declared a Public Health Emergency
Last Thursday, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra declared the ongoing spread of monkeypox virus a Public Health Emergency. This action further strengthens and accelerates the Biden-Harris Administration’s response in recognition of the continued rapid transmission of monkeypox in the U.S. and globally. It signals the seriousness and urgency with which the Administration is responding.
CDC Monkeypox Response will host a Public Health Partner Update this week:
Thursday, August 11
1:00-1:45 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
CDC shared two updates last Friday:
These resources may be useful for health centers:
Connect with Us at NACHC CHI
Key BPHC staff will be at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Community Health Institute (CHI) and EXPO. We invite those attending in-person to sign up for our office hours and listening sessions. These are opportunities to connect with BPHC about specific Health Center Program topics, ask questions, and provide us feedback. Learn more in our bulletin from last week. Note: These are in-person ONLY sessions.
Estimating the Impact of Medicaid Expansion and Federal Funding Cuts on FQHC Staffing and Patient Capacity
A newly released HRSA-funded study simulated funding changes. Researchers found an association between Health Center Program funding provided under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act and the number of patients served. For every $1 million funding increase, the program could serve over 2,000 additional patients. Read how they quantified the role of Section 330 and Medicaid funding on staffing and patient capacity in health centers.
To read this and other peer-reviewed articles about the Health Center Program, visit BPHC’s Health Center Library.
HRSA-Sponsored Health Center Coaching Pilot
We are piloting a new HRSA Health Center Coaching program to assist health centers in gaining Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition. Participating health centers have access to short-term TA from National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) experts focused on initiating the PCMH recognition process. During the pilot, this opportunity is available to only a limited number of health centers and only to health centers that do not currently have PCMH recognition or ambulatory health care accreditation. Learn more or find out how to apply.
If you have questions about HRSA’s Accreditation and PCMH Recognition Initiative or the pilot, contact us through the BPHC Contact Form (Health Center Program > Accreditation and Patient Centered Medical Home Recognition (APCMH) – H80) or contact NCQA directly.
Four Fundamentals of Value-Based Payment for Health Center Boards
This video outlines four fundamental items boards and board members should know about value-based payment. It might be helpful for board member orientation or ongoing board education. NACHC is a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).
Pharmacies at Health Centers: Operations and Models
These resources outline how to implement or grow pharmaceutical operations in health centers. Both specifically address the 340B Drug Discount Program.
NACHC produced both resources.
Caregivers of People Living with Dementia
Researchers at Drexel University and UC Davis are recruiting family caregivers of people living with dementia for a nationwide, remote study. The study is funded by NIH’s National Institute of Aging. By helping to recruit participants, health centers can ensure that medically underserved populations have a voice in this study.
The WeCareAdvisor is an innovative tool to help family caregivers manage common behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. By walking caregivers through a step-by-step approach to understand why behaviors may be occurring, the WeCareAdvisor provides tailored strategies to help manage them.
Eligible caregivers:
- Are 21 or older.
- Are the primary caregiver of a person diagnosed with dementia.
- Currently manage dementia-related behaviors.
- Have an internet-capable device and access.
- Speak English.
For more information, email WeCare@drexel.edu, call 267-359-1111, or visit the WeCareAdvisor study website.
COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards: What to Do When They are Full
Providers and jurisdictions are raising questions about the procedure for issuing new Vaccination Record Cards if someone’s is full.
As a reminder, the ancillary kits that accompany every COVID-19 vaccine order include Vaccination Record Cards for every dose. If a vaccination card is full, CDC recommends:
- Complete a second card for the patient.
- Staple the two together.
- Encourage the patient to photograph both cards in case the two become separated, if possible.
Patients should present both cards when vaccination history is required for travel, employment, or any other purpose requiring official, universally recognized documentation. They should also bring both cards to future vaccination appointments for verification of vaccination history.
Some providers have the option to provide the immunization record from the jurisdiction’s immunization information system (IIS). The record would list the patient’s received doses. However, for travel, employment, or any other purpose that requires official, universally recognized documentation, the IIS record may not be acceptable.
Questions may be directed to NIPINFO@cdc.gov or to your CDC Regional Project Officer.
National Immunization Awareness Month
Throughout August, we’re sharing important tools to help health centers promote immunization.
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HIV
TODAY: Ending the HIV Epidemic Quarterly Stakeholder Webinar
HHS’ meeting will provide updates on major federal activities related to the implementation of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative.
2:00-3:15 p.m. ET
Register here
The session will be audio recorded and slides will be available for those unable to attend.
Interim Guidance for Prevention and Treatment of Monkeypox in Persons with HIV Infection
See the announcement above.
HHS National Viral Suppression Campaign
HHS recently launched “I am a Work of ART.” This is a community-informed campaign encouraging people with HIV who are not in care for HIV to seek care, stay in care, and achieve viral suppression by taking antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Learn more and get involved:
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Workforce
Nurse Education Funding Available
HRSA announced the availability of $14.75 million to increase the nursing workforce and improve nursing education and practice to address health equity in underserved areas. Learn more.
Best Practices for Adapting to the Remote and Hybrid Workforce in Team-Based Care
Telehealth and remote work are going to continue to be a “way of life” even after the pandemic is over. This newly released publication provides health center leadership with ideas and best practices on how to adapt policies and procedures for a remote and hybrid workforce. The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s (ACU) STAR2 Center and the Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center (both HRSA-funded NTTAPs) collaborated on this publication.
Telehealth
2022 National Telehealth Conference
In May, experts gathered for the National Telehealth Conference to discuss best practices and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the session recordings and read the summary report (PDF). Visit Telehealth.hhs.gov for resources.
Best Practices for Adapting to the Remote and Hybrid Workforce in Team-Based Care
See the announcement above.
Additional Resources
Farmworker Outreach Promising Practices: Lessons from the Field
Join Health Outreach Partners and the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH) for a webinar featuring experts who will share their outreach practices, key strategies, and lessons learned. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions about the development and implementation of the practices. This webinar will be presented in Spanish with live interpretation in English.
Thursday, August 18
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here
Health Outreach Partners and NCFH are HRSA-funded NTTAPs.
Realizing Resilience Part 3: Two Years Later, Updates on Health Center and Social Sector Response to Address Social Drivers of Health Needs during COVID-19
NACHC's publication summarizes key takeaways identified by health centers when detecting, prioritizing, and informing community health-related social needs that were magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In case you missed it:
Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.
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Encourage them to subscribe.
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