What's New
Deadline Reminder: Service Area Competition Applications for January 1 Starts
Fiscal year (FY) 2024 Service Area Competition (SAC) applications for service areas with a January 1 period of performance start date (HRSA-24-066) are due in:
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Grants.gov: Monday, June 26, by 11:59 p.m. ET.
- HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs): Wednesday, July 26, by 5:00 p.m. ET.
NOTE: The Notice of Funding Opportunity document included a minor error on pages 17 and 34. The reference to unduplicated patients on those pages has been corrected to calendar year 2025 (not 2024). Technical assistance (TA) materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.
Policy Tip: Contracts and Subawards
A simple reference to grants regulations at 45 CFR 75 Subpart E within a health center’s financial management or procurement procedures does not demonstrate compliance with Health Center Program requirements. Learn more and find answers to other questions on HRSA’s Health Center Program Compliance FAQs.
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New 2023 Uniform Data System Resources
The final 2023 Uniform Data System (UDS) Program Assistance Letter (PAL) and 2023 UDS Manual are available on the UDS Training and TA website.
- The PAL outlines changes between 2022 and 2023 UDS reporting requirements.
- The manual provides detailed reporting instructions and example data tables. It also includes information about submitting de-identified patient-level data (UDS+) for the first time.
For 2023 UDS reporting, health centers are required to submit a full, aggregated UDS Report in EHBs by February 15, 2024. Health centers may also voluntarily submit UDS+ data using Health Level Seven International (HL7) developed Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) version release 4 (R4) standards.
Submit questions through the BPHC Contact Form:
- General 2023 UDS reporting requirements: Uniform Data System (UDS) > UDS Reporting.
- UDS+ technical information: Uniform Data System (UDS) > UDS Modernization.
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New Step-by-Step Federal Tort Claims Act Deeming Application Guide
This new guide (PDF) presents clear instructions and required information for completing a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) deeming application. It will help you understand criteria and respond accurately to each question. Visit the FTCA TA Resources webpage for other TA resources.
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Weight Management Practices of Health Center Providers in the United States
A recent HRSA-funded study examined associations between weight management practices at HRSA-funded health centers and selected health outcomes.
What does this study add?
The researchers determined that a greater proportion of patients who are obese reported receiving provider interventions compared to overweight patients, and patients who received a provider diagnosis of weight as a problem and/or recommendations to change their diet had better odds of improved health status compared to a year prior.
What are the implications for public health practice?
These findings demonstrate the importance of provider weight management interventions in improving health outcomes and the need for more consistent interventions across patients who are obese and overweight. Providers should continue to engage motivational interviewing techniques, initiate culturally appropriate discussions about weight, and work to address social determinants of health like lack of safe spaces for exercise and availability of healthy nutrition. Improving the capacity of health centers to provide health education and exercise classes focusing on weight loss strategies may improve adherence to weight management recommendations.
To read the published article, and other articles about quality care delivered by health centers, visit BPHC’s Health Center Library.
Quarterly 340B Program Registration
Quarterly 340B Program site registration is open from July 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, August 25. After that date, the system will close to prepare for the October 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.
Public Comments on NIH Herpes Simplex Virus Strategic Plan
Submit comments to support the development of key strategic approaches for an NIH Herpes Simplex Virus Strategic Plan. Access the Request for Information on NIH’s website and submit your comments by Wednesday, June 21.
National HIV Testing Day
Every year on June 27, public health efforts focus on the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis. This year’s theme is “Take the Test & Take the Next Step.” It emphasizes that knowing your HIV status can help you choose options to stay healthy. Visit CDC’s website for resources to help you promote this observance.
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STI Toolkit: Ask. Test. Treat. Repeat.
The “Addressing STIs: Ask. Test. Treat. Repeat.” toolkit helps HRSA-funded health centers integrate screening and testing for sexually transmitted infection, which includes:
- Materials detailing the evidence-based interventions.
- Questions used in the self-administered sexual history.
- Tools for making a health center space more welcoming to LGBTQ+ clients.
- Tips for success to consider during implementation.
- Resources to give to clients to encourage a follow-up visit.
Scan the QR code to order your tool kit or visit Target HIV's webpage for more information.
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Pride Month
Statements by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and HHS Principals on Pride Month
After raising the Progress Pride Flag outside of the HHS headquarters building, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and other HHS leaders from across the Department released statements to celebrate Pride Month. See what they said in a press release.
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Telehealth Resources
Telehealth appointments are a safe, convenient way for LGBTQ+ patients to access health care. Telehealth can also be a necessary lifeline for some patients who do not have LGBTQ+-affirming health care available nearby. Understanding the medical, emotional, and social issues unique to LGBTQ+ patients will help providers give quality health care in a virtual setting. Visit HHS’ Telehealth website.
TODAY! HRSA Resources Town Hall: LGBTQI+ Health Workforce Retention and Resiliency
Speakers will discuss HRSA-supported efforts to increase recruitment, retention, and resiliency within the LGBTQI+ health workforce.
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center is also hosting webinars on Tuesday, June 20; Tuesday, June 27; and Thursday, June 29. See the training calendar for links.
COVID-19
COVID-19 Survey Updates
In response to your feedback and to other factors, we have reduced the frequency of the COVID-19 survey to monthly. Beginning with the survey we send in July (asking for June data), we will also reduce the number of questions we ask. Read the bulletin we sent last week.
Health Partner Order Portal Update
If you order COVID-19-related products through HRSA’s COVID-19 Response Programs, enhancements will be implemented to the Health Partner Order Portal (HPoP) on Tuesday, June 20, and will impact you. See today’s Program Update in the Health Center Program Community for more information.
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Workforce
National Health Service Corps New Site Application Open
Eligible health care facilities can apply for approval as a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site. NHSC-approved sites with an inactive status may also re-apply for approval. Visit HRSA’s website to learn about eligibility or apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 22.
Clinician Job Search Tool Gets an Upgrade
HRSA’s Health Workforce Connector connects clinicians to job and training opportunities. Now it’s easier than ever to use! New features simplify job searches by discipline and program, and an expanded display for Health Professional Shortage Areas and other scores assists clinicians looking for qualifying positions. HRSA-supported health centers with approval for their loan repayment and scholarship programs can also create profiles making it easier for job seekers to find openings. Visit the Health Workforce Connector website to learn more.
Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value: Establishing Pay Equity Principles to Advance Workforce Financial Wellness
Pay equity ensures that employees receive equal pay for work of equal value, and the modern workforce expects a timely and sincere commitment to these principles from their employers. The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s (ACU) STAR2 Center’s publication examines existing literature to detail organizational processes and practices that champion compensation equity and provides a step-by-step guide on how to conduct a pay equity audit. Download the white paper (PDF) on ACU’s website.
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STAR² Center Health Professions Education and Training Financial Impact Assessment Tool
New to ACU’s STAR2 Center resource center, the Health Professions Education and Training (HP-ET) Financial Impact Assessment Tool helps workforce teams understand how a HP-ET program can financially affect their health center, including estimating impact to staff development and satisfaction, which can be harder to calculate using discreet figures. It is intended to help health centers assess areas of greatest potential benefit and see where you may experience higher costs or have opportunities to improve the financial sustainability of your HP-ET plans. Visit ACU's website to access the tool.
Oral Health
User's Guide for the Implementation of In-House Dental Assistant Training Programs
A new publication from the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) describes strategies for health centers to implement in-house dental assistant training programs. These programs can enhance dental assistant recruitment and retention. Visit NNOHA’s website to download the guide.
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Publication: Compendium of Veteran Oral Health Best, Promising, and Emerging Practice Approaches
NNOHA partnered with the American Institute for Dental Public Health to collect current practices to increase access to oral health care for veterans. This guide (PDF) describes strategies to engage and serve veterans in the community for oral health care.
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On-Demand Learning Module: UDS Sealant Measure
This 30-minute interactive online learning module provides an overview for the HRSA UDS Sealant Measure. Visit NNOHA’s website to create an account for access. 0.5 CDE is offered after successful completion of the module and quiz.
Telehealth
Telehealth for LGBTQ+ Patients
See the announcement above.
Additional Resources
Maternal Child Health Webinar: "It Takes a Village: Working in Partnerships"
HRSA will host a panel discussion featuring maternal health subject matter experts from Palm Beach County, Florida – one of the largest and most diverse counties in Florida. Panelists will discuss the importance of collaborating with other agencies to improve neonatal outcomes and how agencies are collaborating to close the gap in maternal-child health disparities. They will share their unique perspectives on rendering services.
Thursday, June 22
11:00 a.m.-noon ET
Registration page
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