Town Hall Today, Survey Changes This Week, and More! HRSA PHC Digest

A newsletter from the Bureau of Primary Health Care

October 4, 2022

Carole Johnson

TODAY: Partnerships through the Pandemic: Strategies for Promoting COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Uptake
Join HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson for a town hall to support health centers in promoting partnerships within their communities as a key strategy to continuing to stop the spread of COVID-19. Expert panelists from HUD, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau and Health Systems Bureau will provide insights on how health centers and other federal grant recipients can find their local counterparts, connect, and collaborate. This session will highlight the ongoing need for COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, and strategies to further protect our communities.

1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Note: This session replaces the COVID-19 Response Program Office Hours.


Megaphone

THIS WEEK: Health Center COVID-19 Survey Changes
In response to your feedback, we’re streamlining the biweekly survey by eliminating several questions. These changes will take place in the survey we send out THIS Friday, October 7.

See our bulletin from last week for details.


Did You Miss It?
Here are some of our most popular items from September Digests:

Missed an issue? Catch up in our online archive.


Hand

Jump To:  Domestic Violence Awareness Month  |  Behavioral Health  |  HIV  |  Workforce  | 
                Oral Health  |  Telehealth  |  Additional Resources


What's New

UDS Logo

Register for Upcoming 2022 UDS Reporting Technical Assistance
HRSA continues its series of 90-minute technical assistance (TA) webinars to support 2022 UDS reporting. October and November sessions will cover:

  • UDS Clinical Tables Part 2: Maternal Care and Children’s Health
  • UDS Clinical Tables Part 3: Chronic Disease Management
  • Reporting UDS Financial and Operational Tables
  • Successful Submission Strategies

This flyer includes all the session details – descriptions, dates, times, and registration links. Sessions are also posted on our TA calendar.


Hurricane

Hurricanes Fiona and Ian
If you missed it, see our September 30 bulletin with guidance for health centers in areas impacted by these recent natural disasters. In addition:


Fiscal Year 2021 Primary Care HIV Prevention Awardees – Program Update
HRSA will host a short briefing for health centers that received a fiscal year (FY) 2021 Primary Care HIV Prevention (PCHP) award (HRSA-21-092). Topics will include minor updates in PCHP reporting requirements and performance period length. You’ll also be able to ask questions.

Wednesday, October 12
2:30-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page


TA Training for Progress Reporting on Coronavirus-Related Funding
The progress reporting module for 2022 Quarter 3 for H8C, H8D, H8E, L1C, H8F, and L2C coronavirus-related funding opens on Saturday, October 1, and closes on Friday, October 14. Health centers will begin reporting progress on activities supported by the one-time FY 2022 American Rescue Plan UDS Patient-Level Submission (ARP-UDS+) funding (H8F and L2C) in 2022 Quarter 3.

We created a new pre-recorded training session about progress reporting, available on the FY 2022 ARP-UDS+ TA webpage. We also revised the progress report template to better capture information about lessons learned and successes.

View the updated ARP H8F Progress Report User Guide for additional information.

For health centers impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian: As mentioned in our recent bulletin, HRSA is waiving Quarter 3 progress reports on the funding listed above for health centers located within areas with a federal emergency declaration (currently Florida, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina). Affected health centers will instead report on Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 progress at the next quarterly report (due in January 2023). Health centers should discuss any needed changes to active projects with their Investment Oversight Advisor once they are able.


Feedback

Have You Shared Your Feedback on Our Draft Telehealth PIN Yet?
We’re asking for comments on the Draft Scope of Project and Telehealth Policy Information Notice (PIN). Access the draft PIN and instructions for commenting on the Scope of Project and Telehealth PIN Public Comments webpage. Comment by 11:59 p.m. your local time on Monday, November 14.

The PIN will establish policy guidance for HRSA-supported health centers that provide telehealth services within the HRSA-approved scope of project. It also describes considerations as well as criteria that health centers must meet for providing services to patients via telehealth. Note that this PIN is a draft and is not yet in effect. The current policy guidance for scope of project remains in place, including the flexibilities currently in place due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

If you have technical questions or feedback submission issues, call us at 877-464-4772, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays). If you have general questions about the draft Telehealth PIN, submit them via the BPHC Contact Form.


TODAY: Accreditation and Patient-Centered Medical Home Update Webinar
We recently posted a new PAL (2022-04) (PDF) focused on our Accreditation and Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition Initiative (APCMHI). This PAL now extends support for Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition to Health Center Program look-alikes. We are hosting a webinar to share updates and information on the APCMHI and how look-alikes can enroll.

2:00-2:45 p.m. ET
Registration page


Breast Cancer Awareness: “Tag You’re It”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’ll honor the observance with a webinar focused on breast cancer screening challenges and successes. Speakers will emphasize the impact and barriers experienced during the pandemic and improving health equity among higher-risk populations. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of expert leaders in the field. The presenters will be TOUCH: The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, along with Nevada Health Centers (home of the Mammovan).

Thursday, October 6
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


HRSA September Roundup
HRSA took action to integrate behavioral health into primary care, address substance use disorder in rural communities, improve access to cancer screening services, and advance support for the health needs of tribal communities. Read more.


Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to a survey of contacts with the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 53% of respondents reported that an abusive partner had also controlled and/or restricted access to health care.

Many people experiencing domestic violence do not feel safe asking, or do not know who to contact, for help. Help is available from the National Domestic Violence Hotline online or by phone at 800-799-7233 (SAFE).

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, advocates, allied professionals, and individuals connect to continue to create positive change. Learn about HRSA’s intimate partner violence (IPV) work and efforts to address violence at the community level.


Behavioral Health

Tobacco Cessation Webinars
HRSA invites you to join a two-part webinar series focused on menthol products and tobacco cessation. Experts will address menthol’s harmful effects and share evidence-based strategies and resources that can be used to support menthol smokers. Health center staff will gain resources to support menthol smokers in pursuing tobacco cessation.

What’s the Deal with Menthols?
Wednesday, November 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Quitting Menthol Cigarettes: Do We Know What Works?
Wednesday, November 9
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

If you missed them, watch the recordings from other recent webinars about tobacco cessation:

Contact Shahrukh Haider with questions and with ideas for future tobacco cessation TA topics.


HIV

Severe Manifestations of Monkeypox among People Who are Immunocompromised Due to HIV or Other Conditions
CDC issued a health advisory (PDF) encouraging HIV testing in anyone with suspected or confirmed monkeypox virus. HIV-associated immunocompromise can lead to a more severe manifestation of the monkeypox virus.

Vaccination also remains extremely important, as shown in a recent CDC report:

Monkeypox Vaccination

Workforce

Health Professional Students’ Loan Repayment Application Open Now
HRSA’s 2023 National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) application cycle is now open. Final-year students studying to become a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, medical doctor, or dentist can apply for awards of up to $120,000 in exchange for a three-year commitment to provide primary care services at NHSC-approved sites in high-need underserved areas. The NHSC S2S LRP application cycle closes at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 1.


Several HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs) present learning collaboratives:

  • Advancing Health Equity: Promoting Quality of Care for IPV and Exploitation Survivors
    Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation invites health center staff to focus on advancing health equity for survivors of IPV and human trafficking/exploitation. Health centers and their community-based partners can decrease barriers to care by increasing health enrollment and safety support. You’ll learn about developing partnerships, creating clinical workflows that use an evidence-based “CUES” intervention (Confidentiality, Universal Education and Empowerment, and Support), and optimizing health IT tools and UDS data collection measures. Visit the registration page to apply by Wednesday, October 19.

  • Diabetes Prevention Best Practices
    MHP Salud invites health centers to learn about evidence-based diabetes prevention models. There will be emphasis on nutrition and the development of culturally relevant versions of the USDA My Healthy Plate Educational Tool. Speakers will share examples of how Community Health Workers (CHWs) have used MHP Salud’s tools. Visit the registration page for details.

  • Partnering with Family Caregivers of Older Adults
    The National Center for Equitable Care for Elders presents an opportunity to learn about family caregiving as an essential part of age-friendly health care. Participants will use techniques like care mapping to visualize and tailor assistance to caregiver social needs. Visit the registration page for session dates and times or to apply by Tuesday, October 11.

Training for Professionals Working with CHWs
MHP Salud offers this training opportunity for professionals who work at a Federally Qualified Health Center and work with (but are not themselves) CHWs. The training will improve their understanding of CHW roles and responsibilities within a health center. Visit the registration page for details and to express interest.


HRSA Awards $5 Million to Fund Health Workforce Research
HRSA recently awarded $5 million in funding to nine Health Workforce Research Centers through the Bureau of Health Workforce’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. The centers will perform research that helps decision makers at the federal, state, and local levels understand health workforce needs. In collaboration with CDC and SAMHSA, two of the centers have been awarded specifically to expand research into public health and behavioral health areas. View current Health Workforce Research Centers.


Oral Health

Improving Oral Health Experiences for the LGBTQIA+ Community
This webinar, hosted by the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) in partnership with the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center and the American Institute of Dental Public Health, will provide guidance on how dental team members can improve dental care experiences for the LGBTQIA+ community in health centers. Presenters will highlight oral health disparities and challenges and how dental programs can create oral health care that is more accessible and inclusive.

Thursday, October 20
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CDE available**

NNOHA and the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center are both HRSA-funded NTTAPs.


Telehealth

Medicare Telehealth: Actions Needed to Strengthen Oversight and Help Providers Educate Patients on Privacy and Security Risks
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports on the effects of temporary waivers issued by HHS to ease the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. In considering whether to make these changes permanent, GAO makes three recommendations to CMS:

  1. Clarify guidance for billing audio-only telehealth to allow tracking of these visits;
  2. Require providers to use available place of service codes; and
  3. Make a comprehensive assessment of the quality of services delivered via telehealth to ensure improved outcomes for patients.

They also recommend that the HHS Office for Civil Rights should provide additional education, outreach, or other assistance to providers to help them explain the privacy and security risks to patients in plain language when using video telehealth platforms to provide telehealth services.


Additional Resources

Community Care Hub National Learning Community
ACL, with support from CDC, invites community-based organizations from across the country to apply for the Community Care Hub National Learning Community (NLC) to gain access to vital peer support, TA from national experts, and up-to-date information on resources, initiatives, and collaborations aimed at furthering the capacity of Community Care Hubs nationwide. Learn more about the importance of these hubs and access the NLC application and charter.


The Health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Patients Served at Health Centers: An Analysis of the 2020 UDS
The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) analyzed 2020 health center UDS data on patient demographics, service use, and chronic and infectious diseases. They focused on health centers that serve Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander patients. Register for free access to the report on their website. You can also watch the recording of the June webinar where they shared their findings.

The report includes narratives from three HRSA-funded health centers: Center for Pan Asian Community Services (Atlanta, Georgia), Chuuk Community Health Center (Federated States of Micronesia), and Hāmākua-Kohala Health (Hawai’i). AAPCHO is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.


In case you missed it:
Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.

Do you forward the Digest to others?
Encourage them to subscribe.

Training & Technical Assistance

Mouse

Visit the training calendar to learn details about or register for events.

Through October 11

Partnerships through the Pandemic: Strategies for Promoting COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Uptake
Tuesday, October 4
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Accreditation and Patient-Centered Medical Home Update for Look-Alikes
Tuesday, October 4
2:00-2:45 p.m. ET
Registration page

UDS Clinical Tables Part 2: Maternal Care and Children's Health
Wednesday, October 5
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Oral Health for Veterans: Increasing Access through Sustainable Programs
Hosted by NNOHA, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, October 6
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CDE available**

Health Centers and Climate Change: Resources for Decarbonization and Resiliency
Hosted by HRSA’s Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, CMS, and HHS’ Office of Climate Change and Health Equity
Thursday, October 6
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Breast Cancer Awareness: “Tag You’re It”
Thursday, October 6
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Health Center and Justice System Collaboration to Improve Mental Health
Hosted by the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnerships (NCMLP), a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, October 11
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Upcoming

FY 2021 PCHP Awardees – Program Update
Wednesday, October 12
2:30-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Intimate Partner Violence, Homelessness, and Behavioral Health: A Toolkit for Health Center and Community Partners
Hosted by Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, both HRSA-funded NTTAPs
Wednesday, October 12
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

UDS Clinical Tables Part 3: Chronic Disease Management
Thursday, October 13
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

How to Build a Grassroots Coalition to Effectively Address Farmworkers’ Needs (in Spanish with live interpretation in English)
Hosted by the National Center for Farmworker Health, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, October 13
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Developing Screening, Referral, & Service Delivery Workflows for Medical-Legal Partnerships
Hosted by NCMLP, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, October 18
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Harm Reduction is Health Care Webinar Series
Hosted by the Corporation for Supportive Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Registration page for the series
3:00-4:30 p.m. on:

Wednesday, October 19
Friday, October 21

Improving Oral Health Experiences for the LGBTQIA+ Community
Hosted by NNOHA in partnership with the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center (both are HRSA-funded NTTAPs) and the American Institute of Dental Public Health
Thursday, October 20
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CDE available**

Reporting UDS Financial and Operational Tables
Thursday, October 20
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Climate Change and its Impacts on Farmworker Health
Hosted by Farmworker Justice, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Friday, October 21
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Screening for SDOH: Overview of Tools and Resources
Hosted by the Farmworker Health Network, several HRSA-funded NTTAPs
Wednesday, October 26
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

What’s the Deal with Menthols?
Part 1 of a two-part tobacco cessation webinar series
Wednesday, November 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

UDS: Strategies for Successful Submission
Thursday, November 3
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Quitting Menthol Cigarettes: Do We Know What Works?
Part 2 of a two-part tobacco cessation webinar series
Wednesday, November 9
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Concurrent Treatment of Smoking Cessation and SUD in Primary Care
Hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing and the National Nurse-led Care Consortium, both HRSA-funded NTTAPs
Wednesday, November 9
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.