Guidance on Adding Temporary Sites for Emergency Events

BPHC has updated the following content related to adding temporary service sites in response to emergency events to bring the guidance in line with the current process for contacting us through the BPHC Contact Form. If using the form is not possible, then emailing OHCPM or calling Health Center Program Support are options.

• Program Assistance letter (PAL) 2020-05 (PDF)
• Scope of Project – The Change in Scope (CIS) Process
• Requesting Temporary Service Sites in Response to Emergency Events: Resource and Submission Template

These updates are relevant for health centers impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian (and any health centers impacted by future emergency events). For health centers affected by the recent hurricanes, refer them to Tuesday’s Digest for other timely updates.

New Standard Slide Decks Available

The Speakers Bureau page on the BIR now includes two new standard decks available for BPHC staff to use when preparing for speaking events.

• BPHC 101 (updated)
  • Replaces the Primary Health Care Update deck.
  • Geared toward audiences that are not familiar with the basics of BPHC or the Health Center Program.
  • Includes an overview of the Health Center Program, 2021 UDS data, information on how health centers have addressed COVID-19, changes to compliance, and new initiatives.
• BPHC 201 (new)
  • Geared toward audiences external to HHS who are familiar with both HRSA and BPHC, such as National Training and Technical Assistance Partners or Primary Care Associations. Could also be appropriate for other audiences (i.e., stakeholder organizations, existing health centers).
  • Includes information on funding and key bureau initiatives and programs categorized by the bureau’s three external strategic priorities for 2022-23.

Questions? Send to HRSABPHCSpeakers@hrsa.gov.

TODAY: Newsletter Deadline Change

Due to the Columbus Day holiday, newsletter announcements must be approved in SharePoint by COB TODAY. We’ll hold submissions received after that deadline for the following issue.

Questions or concerns? Email the Digest or Insider mailbox.

EXTENDED: Workforce Demographic Survey Available Until Friday, October 14

If you didn’t get a chance to respond to the Workforce Demographic Survey, you are in luck — the deadline was extended by two weeks to Friday, October 14! The survey results will be used to enhance HHS’s recruitment efforts, perform barrier analyses, and provide opportunities throughout the employee life cycle to individuals from all demographics.

As a reminder:

• This survey is completely voluntary and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
• If you choose not to respond to a particular question, you may skip it and answer the remaining ones in the survey.
• Your responses will remain strictly confidential and data from this survey will be reported only in aggregate.

What is one thing your co-workers would be surprised to learn about you: I was an advertising model when I was in college. I also did some stage drama.

Have you ever worked at a health center: I have worked at many types of health centers. The most interesting practice I worked for was the pain management clinic. I got to learn many aspects, from acute to chronic pain management. I learned about drug dependence and behavioral changes in the opioid patient population. I believe my experiences at the pain management clinic will certainly be informative for my work at BPHC.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be: An actor.

Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens

Favorite food: Always Indian food. It is full of delicious spices.

Favorite quote, motto, personal mantra: Seize an opportunity while you can.

Learn more about Deepak, and email BPHC Insider to submit your name for a future Getting to Know.

Health Literacy Month

This is a time to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate. Check out these resources from the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP):

• MyHealthfinder tool to connect people with easy-to-understand information to assist them in managing their preventive health needs.
• Health literacy resources for health professionals to find strategies for sharing health information in ways that everyone can understand and use.

Healthy People 2030 health literacy objective list to learn about national targets to improve health literacy.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Get involved in raising awareness about breast cancer by sharing ODPHP’s easy-to-understand MyHealthfinder resources to encourage people to get tested for breast cancer and review questions to ask your doctor about mammograms. Read up on the Healthy People 2030 cancer objectives to learn about national progress related to reducing new cases of cancer.

In Case You Missed It

A Round-Up of Previously Announced Items

How to Use a FedRooms Hotel

If you’ve ever traveled for BPHC, you’ve probably wondered why you’re required to use a FedRooms hotel. It’s simple! FedRooms is the official U.S. government hotel program. It leverages government buying power to offer safe, economical, and compliant hotel lodging at per diem or better. Other benefits include:

• Fire safe/FEMA-certified and ADA-compliant hotels.
• No early checkout fees.
• No minimum stay requirements.
• Complimentary guest room internet.

In addition, select FedRooms properties extend rates to federal government employees on leisure travel. Check out the FedRooms website for more information, including cleanliness standards, loyalty perks, and sustainability practices.

MS Office 365 Deployment Deadline

If you don’t upgrade to MS Office 365 by tomorrow (Friday, October 7), your system will automatically deploy the upgrade on Saturday, October 8. The upgrade may take up to 30 minutes to complete.

To launch your upgrade, follow OIT's instructions. For more information, see the August 25 OIT alert or contact the IT Service Desk at 301-496-4357 or https://itservicedesk.nih.gov.

Crossroads in Public Health: Stigma Here and Now

Crossroads in Public Health, a quarterly HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) webinar series for HRSA staff, fosters collaboration across the agency by providing an opportunity for staff to connect on cross-disciplinary topics in public health and HIV. HAB will present information about HIV-related stigma and ongoing efforts to reduce stigma in the community and workplace.

This webinar will feature guest speaker Tori Cooper, Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative at the Human Rights Campaign and Member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA).

Thursday, October 27
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Stretch Series and Meditation Series for Fiscal Year 2023

FedStrive's popular stretch series and meditation series will continue for the new fiscal year (FY). Sign up once (via the registration pages below) and you’ll be registered for all the sessions in FY 2023.

Virtual Office Stretch Sessions

Take 20 minutes every Tuesday for relaxing desk stretches.
Every Tuesday
2:00-2:20 p.m. ET
FY 2023 registration page

Virtual Meditation Sessions

Relax, de-stress, and unwind with an online guided meditation.
Every Friday
Noon-12:30 p.m. ET
FY 2023 registration page

Managing Up

One way to be a valuable and indispensable asset to your organization is to manage up. Managing up means going above and beyond to help your manager achieve the organization's goals.

Wednesday, October 12
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Register in the Learning Management System

Uniform Data System 101: 2021 UDS Data Access & Interpretation

This session will explore 2021 UDS data and assist you in making data-informed decisions. This interactive training is for non-data subject matter experts and is designed to increase your knowledge about how to interpret and use 2021 UDS data and communicate 2021 UDS trends, with an emphasis on the following:

• Patient characteristics
• Clinical quality measures
• Health center workforce

Thursday, October 27
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page