What's New
Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting Requirement
Health centers using Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination funds are required to complete the Health Center COVID-19 Survey, which BPHC emails out every other Friday. You can expect to receive the next survey email this Friday, February 10.
The survey gathers health center data on COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and more. Our Health Center COVID-19 Survey webpage links to tools that can help you complete the survey: a preview of the questions and a user guide for survey respondents who have questions. If you still have questions about the survey, use the BPHC Contact Form (COVID-19 Surveys appears within the COVID-19 section).
Unmet Need Score Map Tool
HRSA developed the Unmet Need Score (UNS) to evaluate the need for new Health Center Program investments. The UNS is calculated using 28 health determinant and health status measures. Details about the data sources and calculation methodology are available in the UNS Resource Guide (PDF).
The newly developed UNS map tool is designed to further assist applicants in identifying service area needs. This tool is for planning purposes only, as HRSA does not currently have an open New Access Point (NAP) competition. In the event we receive funding for NAP, HRSA will use the UNS in the application.
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Applications Due in EHBs Next Week: Primary Care HIV Prevention Funding Opportunity
Applications for the FY 2023 Ending the HIV Epidemic – Primary Care HIV Prevention (PCHP) funding opportunity (HRSA-23-025) are due in EHBs by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 16. Visit the FY 2023 PCHP TA webpage for resources, including the recording of the TA webinar and FAQs.
FY 2021 American Rescue Plan Awards – Project Periods Ending Soon
Project periods for the following American Rescue Plan (ARP) awards end soon:
- ARP (H8F): project period ends Friday, March 31.
- ARP-LAL (L2C): project period ends Friday, June 30.
- ARP-Native Hawaiian (H2C): project period ends Monday, July 31.
If you think your health center will not complete award activity by the end date noted above, you may request an extension without funds (also known as a no-cost extension) approximately 60 days before the project period end date. If approved, you'll be able to complete your approved projects and activities conducted during the extended project period using the remaining funds.
Health centers have 90 days after the project period end date to liquidate obligations, which are costs incurred through that date. Any costs incurred after the project period end date are unallowable and subject to repayment to HRSA.
If you expect to need such an extension, contact your Grants Management Specialist to discuss the requirements for submitting the request in EHBs.
Becoming a Teaching Health Center: Tips for Health Center Boards
This publication offers tips for boards, including a case study, for health centers considering becoming a teaching health center. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP) produced this resource.
CMS Resources: Special Enrollment Period for Medicaid and CHIP Unwinding
CMS announced a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period for qualified individuals and their families who will lose coverage due to the unwinding of continuous enrollment for Medicaid and CHIP. Health centers should prepare to assist these individuals.
CMS will update Marketplace enrollment platforms (HealthCare.gov and Direct Enrollment/Enhanced Direct Enrollment pathways). Marketplace-eligible consumers who submit a new or update an existing application between Friday, March 31, of this year and Wednesday, July 31, 2024, and attest that they have lost Medicaid or CHIP coverage at any point during this time, are eligible for this Unwinding Special Enrollment Period. Read CMS’ FAQs (PDF) about this initiative.
You may find CMS’ communications toolkit (PDF) useful for explaining the unwinding to your community. It is also available in Spanish (PDF).
Increasing Blood Lead Testing in Children
If you missed it, see our recent bulletin encouraging health centers to increase blood lead testing in children.
Comment on Proposals for Updating Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requests comments on the initial proposals from the Federal Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards for revising OMB's 1997 Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity. See the Federal Register Notice.
COVID-19
CDC Website Helps Consumers Find Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
The Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program provides no-cost testing sites to communities greatly affected by the pandemic. Sites operate as a partnership between the federal government, state and local jurisdictions, and a federal testing contractor. Learn more on CDC’s ICATT website. Access the free testing locator.
Long COVID and Residents of Public and Other HUD-Assisted Housing: Status, Impact, Strategies and Resources
Join a webinar hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH) in collaboration with HUD. Speakers from HUD and CDC will cover a spectrum of topics related to long COVID.
Wednesday, February 22 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET Registration page
NCHPH is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
It's American Heart Month
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. for men and for women – and it’s increasing among younger people aged 35-54. This makes the work health centers do to manage heart health and prevent chronic conditions even more critical.
Use these resources to promote American Heart Month and encourage heart-healthy behavior:
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A Panel Discussion: Hearing from the Experts Preventing Cardiovascular Disease through Statin Therapy Treatment
Join HRSA for a panel discussion that will answer commonly asked questions surrounding statin therapy.
Tuesday, February 21 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET Registration page
Watch this learning series before you join: Statin Management in High-Risk Groups. It is presented by the American Medical Association through NACHC’s cooperative agreement with CDC.
Behavioral Health
Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pediatric Mental Health in an Integrated Care Setting
The U.S. has made significant progress in research, practice, and policy to address disparities in pediatric mental health. The speaker at this short webinar will summarizes a framework that health centers can use to build on this progress.
Wednesday, February 15 12:30-1:00 p.m. ET Registration page
FDA Briefing on Tobacco Product Regulation: Menthol and Flavored Tobacco
Dr. Brian King, Director of FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, will deliver a briefing on FDA’s proposed rules to prohibit the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars and the agency's plan to propose a rule to cap the maximum level of nicotine in cigarettes and certain other combusted tobacco products. He will also address the regulation process and how the public is involved.
Wednesday, February 15 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET Registration page
HIV
PrEP Champion Preceptorship
The HRSA-funded National Clinician Consultation Center is accepting applications for its preceptorship: an intensive pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) training and capacity-building opportunity for pharmacists, nurses, and other non-physician clinical team members. This opportunity is open to staff at PCHP-awarded health centers. Visit the application page for more information.
Updated Guidance on Antiretroviral Drugs during Pregnancy
If you missed it, see our bulletin on updated recommendations related to the use of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and interventions to reduce perinatal transmission.
HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau’s monthly HAB You Heard webinar will include a presentation from NIH and the Guidelines Panel on these updates.
Tuesday, February 28 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET Registration page
FY 2023 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C EIS: New Geographic Service Areas Funding
HRSA released a NOFO. The purpose is to provide comprehensive primary health care and support services in an outpatient setting for low-income people with HIV. All applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, April 3.
Join a webinar for applicants:
Thursday, February 16 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET Join the day of the session
Workforce
Tips for Boards on Health Center Workforce Challenges and Opportunities
NACHC’s new resources identify ways that board members and CEOs can partner to address workforce issues. A companion video provides a summary of the article.
NTTAP Learning Collaboratives
HRSA-funded NTTAPs invite health center staff to join learning collaboratives (LCs). Visit the registration pages for dates and times:
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Using Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Data to Support Patients with Complex Health Needs
The National Health Care for the Homeless Council invites health center staff to focus on how to leverage SDOH data to address patient needs, drive organizational change, and improve the health of the communities in which they serve. Registration page; apply by Friday, February 17.
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Improving Health Center Cybersecurity: Risk Assessment, Breach Defense, Mitigation and Response
The Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center offers this LC to support health centers in developing and implementing cybersecurity strategy. Registration page; apply by Tuesday, February 28.
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How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes in your Community: A Training Guide for Community Health Workers
NCHPH invites Community Health Workers (CHWs) who provide outreach education to Hispanic/Latino and African American/African Ancestry communities (who are at higher risk for diabetes) to focus on CDC's “The Road to Health" toolkit. Registration page.
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Managers: Enhance Team Well-Being
Migrant Clinicians Network invites health center managers to join. The curriculum addresses empathic distress, moral injury, grief, adaptive change, team building, and leadership. Participants are expected to attend all four 90-minute sessions. Registration page.
- Search all LCs on the Health Center Resource Clearinghouse.
PrEP Champion Preceptorship
See the announcement above.
Oral Health
FDA Briefing on Tobacco Product Regulation: Menthol and Flavored Tobacco
See the announcement above.
In case you missed it: Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.
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