What's New
TODAY: ARP-UDS+ Award Recipient Technical Assistance
Last week, HRSA awarded nearly $90 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to 1,354 community health centers across the country to advance health equity through better data collection and reporting.
HRSA will host a technical assistance (TA) webinar for fiscal year (FY) 2022 ARP UDS Patient-Level Submission Funding (ARP-UDS+) award recipients:
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Join the session
If you prefer to join by phone: 833-568-8864
When prompted, enter meeting/webinar ID: 160 036 9492
Find more resources on the ARP-UDS+ TA page.
Service Area Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity Released for May 1 Starts
HRSA released the FY 2023 Service Area Competition (SAC) notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), HRSA-23-022, for service areas with a May 1, 2023, project period start date. Find details for each of the announced service areas on the Service Area Announcement Table.
This NOFO announces the service areas for:
- May 1 start award recipients that received a 1-year period of performance through a SAC/SAC-Additional Areas in FY 2022.
- May 1 start award recipients that were given a 1-year extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic in FY 2022.
Applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 11, and in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 10. TA materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.
Does Your Health Center Have a June 1 Start Date? Review Your Patient Targets
We recently updated patient targets for Health Center Program award recipients with a June 1 budget period start date. On Thursday, August 11, we sent an email message to the Authorizing Officials and Project Directors of these health centers, which indicated whether the health center would complete a FY 2023 SAC or Budget Period Progress Report. The email also included a direct link to the updated patient target. Health centers that will complete an FY 2023 SAC for awards starting June 1, 2023, should review their patient target and take appropriate action in EHBs by Thursday, August 25.
View the Patient Target Quick Reference Guide on the SAC TA webpage to learn how to access your patient target in EHBs.
Submit questions using the BPHC Contact Form (select “Patient Targets” under the Health Center Program heading).
CDC and FDA Update: Interim Clinical Considerations for Monkeypox Vaccination
CDC’s August 11 Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call was a joint effort with FDA. Speakers discussed the newly released Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 Vaccines during the 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak. If you missed it, see the slides and recording on the COCA call webpage.
Resources:
- CDC’s Monkeypox website: Scroll to the bottom for “Latest Updates.”
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COCA website: The links under “Latest News” provide resources or connect you to call recordings and slides, including last week’s call.
Deadline Tomorrow: 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 recent bulletin. Note: These are in-person ONLY sessions.
Manufacturer Restrictions on Contract Pharmacies
This NACHC brief explains the impact of certain drug manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies and outlines potential steps that health centers may take in response. NACHC is a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).
Four Fundamentals of Value-Based Payment for Health Center Boards
NACHC's new 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.
Certified Application Counselor Designated Organizations Application Open Season
Organizations operating in a Federally-Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) state that want to provide enrollment assistance to consumers for plan year 2023 must apply to CMS to become a certified application counselor designated organization (CDO), if they are not already a CDO. Open season for CDO applications ends on Wednesday, August 31. CDOs oversee certified application counselors, who are trained and able to help consumers seeking health coverage options through the Marketplace. Learn more.
For additional questions, contact CMS at CACQuestions@cms.hhs.gov. Please include your organization’s name and address in the body of your email.
Federal Health Agencies Unveil National Tool to Measure Health Impacts of Environmental Burdens
CDC and its Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, in partnership with HHS’ Office of Environmental Justice, recently announced the release of the Environmental Justice Index. It builds off existing environmental justice indexes to provide a single environmental justice score for local communities across the U.S. Public health officials can use it to identify and map areas most at risk for the health impacts of environmental burden.
Request for Applications: Environmental Justice Thriving Communities TA Centers Program
The EPA, HRSA, and other federal agencies are working to address environmental, public health, and energy challenges affecting communities—specifically those communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental, climate, and human health harms and risks.
EPA has issued a request for applications to award up to 10 cooperative agreements totaling $50 million to establish and operate Environmental Justice Thriving Communities TA Centers throughout the country. These centers will provide TA, training, and other forms of assistance, resources, and support to organizations and entities addressing environmental and energy justice issues. Funding can also be used to facilitate community engagement, to build partnerships and capacity, and for other supports. Health centers are eligible to apply.
COVID-19
CDC Updated Guidance on Quarantining and Isolation
In a recent report, CDC revised its guidance on when people need to quarantine or isolate. The revision narrows the focus to prevention of medically significant illness, death, and health care system strain.
FDA Guidance on Use of At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests
FDA’s updated guidance advises people to perform repeat, or serial, testing following a negative result on any at-home COVID-19 antigen test. This can reduce the risk that an infection may be missed (false negative result). It will help prevent people from unknowingly spreading COVID-19 to others. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, the FDA recommends repeat testing at 48-hour intervals for a total of at least three tests, regardless of whether you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Engaging Parents around Newly Approved Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccines and Building Vaccine Confidence
The HHS Administration for Children and Families is hosting a webinar featuring CDC speakers. Parents have lots of questions about vaccine safety. Health center staff have an opportunity to share information and provide guidance. Come hear more about the why and how of vaccinating children against COVID-19. You’ll also learn about new tools and resources that will help you engage parents in this important conversation.
Thursday, August 18
2:00-2:45 p.m. ET
Registration page
HHS Resources on Paxlovid
Paxlovid is an oral antiviral drug that should be initiated to eligible individuals as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within five days of symptom onset. HHS’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has a Paxlovid website with resources and FAQs (scroll down for those) to answer providers’ questions. These include an information sheet on eligibility and effectiveness (PDF).
National Immunization Awareness Month
Behavioral Health
Tobacco Cessation for Persons of Reproductive Age, Including Pregnant Persons
HRSA’s webinar will focus on strategies and tools for implementing tobacco cessation interventions and treatment for persons of reproductive age, including pregnant tobacco users. CMS and CDC will present national and regional data snapshots of tobacco cessation screening and management. Health centers should be able to develop individual strategies to improve efforts to meet tobacco screening and treatment goals.
Wednesday, August 31
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Contact Shahrukh Haider with questions and with ideas for future tobacco cessation TA topics.
Hypertension
Fixed-Dosed Combination Antihypertensive Medications Coverage: A Review of Resources for Health Centers
Clinicians, join to learn about the effectiveness and availability of covered fixed-dose combination (FDC) medications for managing patients with hypertension.
Thursday, September 1
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Speakers from CDC, HRSA, NACHC, the American Medical Association, and a HRSA-funded health center will address the role these medications play in hypertension control and more. Prepare for the webinar by reviewing the FDC antihypertensive medication Medicaid coverage guide.
Workforce
Supporting Staff Mental Health through Compensation Equity and Inclusive Benefits
The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s (ACU) STAR2 Center’s new fact sheet provides health center leadership with a better understanding of the mental health struggles their workforce may face. It also identifies strategies related to compensation equity and inclusive benefits to address these challenges. ACU is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Here are learning collaboratives from HRSA-funded NTTAPs:
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Increase Access to Care (IAC) Core
The National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH) invites health centers to share challenges, successes, and promising practices for increasing access to care for agricultural workers. Participants will develop an outreach-focused Migrant Health Action Plan. Guest speakers, tools, and resources will help health centers better reach the agricultural worker community and achieve their increase access goals. Visit the registration page for details.
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Recruitment Boot Camp: Mental Health Staff Edition
Building on the success and content of past boot camps, this opportunity will dive deeper into the special considerations needed to recruit a diverse, mission-driven, and patient-centered mental health workforce. The ACU’s STAR2 Center invites health center workforce, human resources, clinical, and C-Suite staff to apply. Submit the application form by Thursday, August 25.
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Healing-Centered Approaches to Addressing Adolescent Relationship Abuse and Human Trafficking for School-Based Health Centers
This opportunity is for adolescent-serving school-based service sites. Specifically, for those interested in building capacity to promote healthy relationships and prevent adolescent relationship abuse and trafficking. Participants can earn continuing education credits for the six sessions. Submit the application form by Monday, September 12. Presented by the School-Based Health Alliance and Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation.
Telehealth
Telehealth and Broadband Funding and Resources
This webinar is part of HRSA’s Telehealth Learning Webinar Series. The series’ goal is to highlight successful projects/best practices as well as resources to promote and further the use of telehealth technologies for health care delivery, education, and health information services.
Tuesday, August 30
2:00-3:15 p.m. ET
Registration page
Speakers will cover:
- The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s role in implementing the broadband provisions of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- The Affordable Connectivity Program.
- Distance learning and telemedicine grants.
Additional Resources
Farmworker Outreach Promising Practices: Lessons from the Field
Join Health Outreach Partners and 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
Registration page
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:
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