What's New
Let’s Finish Strong! Final Weeks for Health Center Workforce Well-being Survey
Thank you to everyone at participating health centers who has completed the survey so far! There’s still time if you haven’t had a chance to take or finish the survey yet. Use the link you received in emails from hrsa_workforce_wellbeing@surveys.jsi.com to resume and complete the survey. If you can’t find those emails, contact HRSA’s contractor, JSI, by email or by phone: 833-408-3322.
As a reminder, our website includes a preview of the survey and provides answers to questions on how we’ll keep your responses confidential.
Contacted Health Center Program Support? Rate Our Service
Whether you've had a pleasant experience or feel we could do better, the Health Center Program Support team would like to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the customer service survey embedded in the auto-generated email you receive after we resolve your issue or complete your request.
For assistance, access the BPHC Contact Form at any time or call 877-464-4772, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).
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HRSA 2022 Overview
Last year, HRSA delivered on the HHS Secretary’s priorities of equity, preparedness, behavioral health, and access to affordable care through our work to combat COVID-19, increase equitable access to health care services, and grow the health care workforce, including the behavioral health workforce. See the 2022 Agency Overview.
Requesting Input on Healthy Start Initiative
HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau seeks the perspectives of Healthy Start award recipients, community members, people with lived experience, health care providers, Community Health Workers, birthing people, parents, and other members of the public to inform future Healthy Start program development. Read the Federal Register Notice.
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New CMS FAQs on Good Faith Estimates for Uninsured and Self-Pay Patients
CMS recently issued new guidance for providers and facilities, including health centers that offer sliding fee discounts based on an individual’s income and family size. See recently added FAQs (PDF).
CMS recognizes that Federally Qualified Health Centers and other providers and facilities offering sliding fee discounts face unique challenges in meeting the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) requirements. Their guidance provides additional flexibility to these providers to, in certain circumstances, provide a GFE to newly uninsured (or self-pay) patients that lists the undiscounted rates for items and services. CMS also recognizes that a full GFE (as specified under current regulations) may not be appropriate in cases where a provider or facility does not expect to charge a patient for items and services. Therefore, under certain conditions, CMS will not take enforcement action against providers who, knowing that they will not bill an uninsured (or self-pay) patient for items or services, provide an abbreviated version of the GFE. A sample abbreviated GFE is available in the FAQs.
CDC Funding to Advance Health Equity and Decrease Risk of Diabetes Among Priority Populations
CDC released a notice of funding opportunity to decrease risk for type 2 diabetes among adults with prediabetes and improve self-care practices, quality of care, and early detection of complications among people with diabetes. Funding will also support implementation of evidence-based, family-centered childhood obesity interventions as a type 2 diabetes risk reduction strategy. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 7.
HHS Awards Nearly $245 Million to Support Youth Mental Health and Help the Health Care Workforce Meet Families’ Mental Health Needs
HHS awarded nearly $245 million in Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding – $185.7 million from SAMHSA and nearly $60 million from HRSA – to support youth mental health, help the health care workforce address mental health needs, and fund other critical mental health supports. Addressing the mental health crisis is a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration, as part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda. The bipartisan legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden in June provided HHS with vital resources to help children and families across the country. Read the press release.
COVID-19
TODAY: COVID-19 Response Program Office Hours
Today is the first office hour for 2023.
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
See the registration page for dates and times.
Even if you previously registered for past office hours, you need to register again for this new set of sessions. Though some information may be geared toward COVID-19 Response Program participants, these office hours are open to all HRSA-supported health centers. We encourage all health centers to register.
FINAL SESSION: Special and Vulnerable Populations COVID-19 Forum
Join several HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs) and their featured speaker from CDC’s Post-COVID Conditions Team – Dr. Jennifer Cope – for a session focusing on long COVID and its status, challenges, and promising practices. You’ll have the chance to provide feedback and identify health center needs relative to COVID-19 and preparedness for future outbreaks and other emergencies.
Friday, January 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
In 2021, health centers screened over 4 million patients for cervical cancer. Although we’re not quite back to pre-pandemic screening levels (4.2 million patients screened in 2019), 2021 represented an increase from 2020, reflecting the work health centers are doing to rebound from the initial effects of the pandemic.
In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, we’re hosting a discussion of the pandemic’s impact on screenings, and how health centers can recover and sustain screening rates moving forward. Experts in the field will discuss the benefits and limitations of screening modalities, HPV vaccine protection and safety, and best practice guidelines.
Strike Out Cervical Cancer
Tuesday, January 31
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
If you prefer to join by phone: 833-568-8864
Webinar ID: 161 389 1307
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Behavioral Health
Integration of Oral Health and Behavioral Health Virtual Learning Collaborative - Discussion
This session will continue the discussion on the evidence, education and training, and resources to support primary care, oral health, and behavioral health integration to improve patient outcomes. Presenters will share evidence and integration lessons from the field, including the need for training and education for addressing behavioral health among oral health center staff.
Wednesday, January 18
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Reentry Recovery Services to Improve Health and Reduce Recidivism and Overdoses Among Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Individuals who are incarcerated have higher rates of chronic physical and mental health issues, and often have a history of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Successful reintegration of formally incarcerated individuals is necessary to create healthier individuals and communities.
This presentation will focus on the steps one jurisdiction – Fairfax County, Virginia – has implemented to provide successful transition from incarceration to reentry into the community to reduce recidivism rates, improve health outcomes, and reduce overdoses.
Wednesday, February 1
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Introduction to NIDAMED and Words Matter
How does stigma affect people with substance use disorders? Join Michelle Corbin from NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as she introduces NIDAMED, an initiative focused on sharing science-based information about substance use and addiction with health professionals. NIDAMED will work toward addressing and reducing the stigma surrounding substance use and addiction to improve health.
Thursday, February 9
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
If you prefer to join by phone: 833-568-8864
Webinar ID: 160 502 7623
Workforce
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
HRSA’s Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (LRP) is accepting applications by 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 23. This year, HRSA has special funding for nurses and nurse faculty who specialize in women’s health to combat disparities that put women at risk before, during, and after pregnancy. There is also special funding to promote the integration of mental health, substance use disorder, and other behavioral health services into primary care. See the technical assistance (TA) webpage for application assistance and details on upcoming TA sessions.
NTTAP Opportunities
HRSA-funded NTTAPs invite health center staff to join these opportunities:
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2023 Diabetes ECHO (in Spanish exclusively)
The Migrant Clinicians Network’s annual series begins in March. The six-part series will address diverse topics within diabetes treatment and self-management, including social barriers, in-depth clinical education related to development of diabetes and complications associated with a diagnosis, accessibility to various treatments, and use of community resources. Space is limited to 35 participants. Visit the registration page.
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STAR2 Center Recruitment Boot Camp
Join the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s STAR2 Center for a learning collaborative exploring the steps of a successful recruitment campaign. Starting with a self-assessment and planning all the way through contracting, this series will provide guidance, tools, and templates for health center participants to update their recruitment processes and lay the groundwork for additional workforce planning. Visit the registration page for details or to apply by close of business on Monday, February 6.
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Universal Education and Support for Patients Who have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence or Exploitation (in Spanish with live English interpretation)
Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation is co-hosting this learning collaborative with the Puerto Rico Primary Care Association (PCA) and Esperanza United. Sessions will focus on increasing provider capacity to identify, prevent, and respond to relationship abuse; provide universal education and support; and implement trauma-informed systems-level change in partnership with community-based programs. Visit the registration page to apply by Friday, February 10.
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Childhood Diabetes Prevention
Farmworker Justice, Health Outreach Partners, and the School-Based Health Alliance (SBHA) invite health centers to an upcoming learning collaborative focused on improving diabetes prevention in migratory and seasonal agricultural worker (MSAW) children. You will learn strategies and best practices for identifying and addressing diabetes risks and share experiences with health center peers and experts. Visit the registration page to apply by Friday, February 3.
Oral Health
Integration of Oral Health and Behavioral Health Virtual Learning Collaborative - Discussion
See the announcement above.
Updated for 2022 Reporting: HRSA Uniform Data System Sealants FAQ
The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) updated its HRSA UDS Sealant Measure FAQ (PDF) for 2022 Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting. NNOHA is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
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Telehealth
National Health Center Telehealth Resource Center
The National Health Center Telehealth Resource Center is a pilot project between the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and the Center for Connected Health Policy. This project aims to assist health centers in sustaining telehealth modalities to increase access to care based upon pandemic recovery efforts. TA products and services available to health centers, PCAs, Health Center Controlled Networks, and NTTAPs include:
For telehealth billing consultation, contact FQHCquestions@cchpca.org. NACHC is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
HHS’ Telehealth Site: Events, Patient Resources, and More
Telehealth.HHS.gov offers more than just provider resources. The Patients section includes resources you can share to help patients understand and engage in telehealth. The Events section includes announcements of upcoming webinars – on topics like policy for 2023 and remote patient monitoring – and connects you to resources from past webinars.
Additional Resources
Regional Stream Forums
Mark your calendars for this year's forums, which provide MSAW-specific continuing education to providers of health care and social services in health centers, as well as offering networking opportunities. Conference participants will discuss regional and national trends that affect MSAWs and share successful strategies for addressing this population’s needs. Hosted by the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH), the Northwest Regional PCA, and the North Carolina Community Health Center Association.
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