What's New
“We Went to You”
Speaking at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Policy & Issues Forum last week, HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson reflected on how the federal government relied on health centers during the pandemic, "When we asked, what do we do to support the hardest hit people in the country? We went to you."
HRSA Associate Administrator Jim Macrae participated in the opening session, describing the many successes of the Health Center Program. HRSA-funded health centers serve 30 million patients and have administered an impressive 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines since new funding became available in December (overall, HRSA-supported health centers have administered more than 23 million vaccines). But raw numbers give only a partial view of the program’s impact.
“We need stories to make the data come alive,” Jim said. He asked audience members to visit our Health Center Stories webpage for examples and to share their own success stories with BPHC to help publicize the innovative work they are doing across the country. (Email HRSA Health Center Stories for possible promotion on the webpage, in a HRSA newsletter, or on HRSA social media. Our webpage includes guidance on submitting photos, including release forms.)
Jim also spoke about the challenges health center staff have faced. BPHC’s Health Center Workforce Well-being Survey had about 60,000 participants. Later this year, we will share the results – first with participating health centers, and then national data will be publicly available. We know the results will illustrate both positive developments and areas of strain. (The results will inform HRSA’s – and others’ – program and policy development and training and TA efforts. Visit HRSA’s webpage for more about the timeline and data usage.)
In other developments, Jim highlighted the rollout of Uniform Data System Patient-Level Submission (UDS+) in partnership with health centers, which will improve data collection. BPHC will also pilot a new program in selected states to help health centers take advantage of new payment models incorporating value-based care.
Updated Patient Targets Releasing Soon
This month, HRSA will begin a staggered release of updated patient targets for Health Center Program (H80) award recipients. We will email Authorizing Officials (AO) and Project Directors (PD), beginning with award recipients with January budget period start dates. The message will include a link to the updated patient target and a deadline for confirmations, questions, and adjustment requests. It will also communicate whether the health center will complete a fiscal year (FY) 2024 Service Area Competition (SAC) or Budget Period Progress Report (BPR).
Make sure AO and PD contact information is up-to-date in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) to ensure your health center receives the message in a timely manner.
Health centers that will complete an FY 2024 SAC should confirm or request adjustment to their patient target by the deadline in their email to ensure that the SAC Service Area Announcement Table (SAAT) is accurate. Response is optional for health centers that will submit an FY 2024 BPR.
See our Patient Target FAQs for more information. Submit questions using the BPHC Contact Form. Under “Health Center Program,” select “Patient Targets.”
|
Introducción al Alcance del Proyecto del Programa para los Centros de Salud
We developed this short video as part of our effort to make Health Center Program resources more accessible for our Spanish-speaking audience. Health Center Scope of Project refers to the activities a health center carries out that are supported by their HRSA-approved budget. The video introduces and clarifies foundational elements of Health Center Scope of Project, including its five components and helpful resources. Find the video and the accompanying slide deck on the Scope of Project Resources webpage.
TODAY! Primary Care HIV Prevention Non-Competing Continuation Progress Report and Supplemental Funding
HRSA released a Non-Competing Continuation (NCC) progress report and an Electronic Document Management (EDM) submission for Primary Care HIV Prevention (PCHP) award recipients. Last week’s Digest mentioned pre-recorded technical assistance (TA) webinars. Due to technical issues, we could not post the recordings as expected. Join today’s webinar for an overview of the instructions, including how to request additional funding, followed by Q&A.
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET Join the session Join by phone: 833-568-8864 Webinar ID: 160 875 9124
PCHP award recipients can access their NCC progress reports or EDM submissions in EHBs. Instructions and informational slides are available on the PCHP TA webpage.
HRSA Recognized with Sunshine Week Award for Streamlining Publication of UDS Information
Sunshine Week promotes and celebrates access to public information. The Department of Justice recognized HRSA with a 2023 Sunshine Week Award for our work to streamline the disclosure of information from the UDS. Our new process simplifies how we work with UDS submitters and conduct internal reviews. It allows us to post information in HRSA’s Electronic Reading Room in a timely manner.
HHS Announces the Availability of $25 Million to Expand Primary Care – Including Mental Health – Services in Schools
See the press release for the FY 2023 School-Based Service Expansion (SBSE) notice of funding opportunity (NOFO, HRSA-23-097). HRSA will make $25 million available for approximately 70 awards. Applicants can visit the FY 2023 SBSE TA webpage for resources.
Optimizing Virtual Care Journey Maps
Since March 2022, the Optimizing Virtual Care (OVC) award has allowed awardees to systematically design, implement, and evaluate ways to use innovative technologies and virtual care models. Through collaborative learning, evaluation activities, and awardee feedback, HRSA created journey maps that describe issues patient populations experience in accessing, receiving, and engaging in virtual care. Journey maps provide innovative and actionable strategies for health centers to promote health equity in virtual care access and delivery. Access them on the OVC webpage and use them to promote equity in planning or implementing virtual care programs at your health center.
Quarterly 340B Program Registration
Quarterly 340B Program site registration is open from April 1 to 15. Health centers will be able to register a site that has been verified as implemented and with a site status reflected as “active” in EHBs Form 5B through Friday, May 26. After that date, the system will close to prepare for the July 1 start.
Email the 340B Prime Vendor Program or call 888-340-2787 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET) to register a new site or ask questions. You will need to provide the following information when calling:
- Health center name.
- Site/clinic name.
- Site IDs for all sites.
- HRSA/BPHC grant number.
- Contact name and email address.
- Authorizing official name and email address.
The authorizing official will receive an email message that the account is unlocked and a registration may be submitted.
HRSA’s Photo Contest for Black Maternal Health Week
Black Maternal Health Week is April 11-17. HRSA invites health centers to send photos that capture how you are improving health outcomes for Black women before, during, and after pregnancy. Get details, including on how to submit and how the photos may be used, on HRSA’s webpage.
CMS COVID-19 PHE Overview Fact Sheet
Check out CMS’ new fact sheet, CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PDF). It clarifies their policies on COVID-19-related topics, telehealth, and health care access. CMS will continue to provide updates on its Current Emergencies webpage.
COVID-19
TODAY! COVID-19 Response Program Office Hours
The CDC-funded National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants translates COVID-19 information into 40+ languages. Join today’s session to hear from their communication strategist about new toolkits. Though some information may be geared toward COVID-19 Response Program participants, we encourage all HRSA-supported health centers to attend.
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET Registration page
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer Moonshot Colorectal Cancer Forum
HRSA Associate Administrator Jim Macrae participated on a panel about health care disparities in last Friday’s White House event. (His is the second of three panel discussions in the event.) Watch the recording if you missed it.
|
HRSA Award Recipients Recognized for Advancing Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Each March, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) recognizes those who make significant progress in achieving colorectal cancer screening rates of 80% and higher in their community. Congratulations to the two HRSA-funded health centers and one Primary Care Association included among the 2023 honorees:
-
Central Texas Community Health Centers received the grand prize for its work with Dell Medical School to ensure that patients with abnormal test results got a follow-up colonoscopy in a timely manner.
- Honorees include Gaston Family Health Services (North Carolina) and the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers.
NCCRT will celebrate these and other national achievements in a webcast next week; access details and registration on the 2023 awardees webpage.
Next month, NCCRT will join us to demonstrate how health centers can use their updated guide, STEPS for Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates – A Manual for Primary Care Practices. Our webinar will also feature a health center whose case study appears in the guide.
STEPing up Colorectal Cancer Screenings Tuesday, April 4 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET Registration page
|
Behavioral Health
Identification and Evidence-Based Interventions for Treating Anxiety and Depression
These sessions are part of a practice-focused Community of Practice for behavioral health providers working in health centers. Today’s focuses on functional analysis, mindfulness, and the importance of awareness. The next session (Tuesday, March 28) focuses on behavioral activation and practical applications for treating depression and anxiety. Join either or both, even if you did not attend previous sessions.
TODAY, and Tuesday, March 28 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET Registration page
Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program
This program will fund training that expands the number of clinicians who care for individuals in need of mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services in underserved, community-based settings. Visit HRSA’s NOFO webpage to apply by Tuesday, March 21.
HIV
HHS HIV Summit
Join a virtual summit focusing on federal efforts, clinical perspectives, and community efforts to address the HIV epidemic. It will align National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in one conversation.
Wednesday, March 15 Noon-3:00 p.m. ET Registration page
Workforce
Health Center Onboarding Checklist
New to the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s STAR2 Center’s resource library, the Health Center Onboarding Checklist provides a structure and process for welcoming and integrating new hires at health centers. The customizable tool includes a background on onboarding, key components of the onboarding process, an editable template, and a baseline list of documents required as part of the process.
Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program
See the announcement above.
NTTAP Learning Collaboratives
Visit the registration pages for dates, times, and more information:
-
Structural Competency Learning Group for Health Center Operations
Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation and Health Outreach Partners joined together to present an opportunity for health center operations leaders to learn, analyze, and discuss structural factors that cause health inequities and lead to higher risk of harm, including intimate partner violence, exploitation, and human trafficking. The group will focus on creating a culture of care and change. Sessions will be held in English with Spanish interpretation. Registration page; apply by Friday, March 24.
-
Children and Adolescents and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
The School-Based Health Alliance announces two opportunities on SDOH screening: one for health centers interested in launching a screening program, the other for those interested in improving/expanding an SDOH screening program. Registration page; apply by Friday, March 17.
Additional Resources
31st Annual Midwest Stream Forum for Agricultural Worker Health
The National Center for Farmworker Health’s annual conference provides agricultural worker-specific professional development experiences for individuals in all disciplines within migrant health. It offers a diverse program featuring sessions on clinical topics, lay health outreach, research, health equity, SDOH, and leadership development. Earn continuing education credits for attending. Visit the registration page for more information.
In case you missed it: Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.
Do you forward the Digest to others? Encourage them to subscribe.
|