Reader Survey, COVID-19 Survey Changes

HRSA Health Center Program Primary Health Care Digest

June 27, 2023

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COVID-19 Survey Changes

In response to your feedback and other factors, the COVID-19 survey is now monthly and has fewer questions. As mentioned in our recent bulletin, we updated our COVID-19 Survey User Guide and questions preview ahead of the changes so you can better prepare. These pages now display the survey as it will be presented in the message we’ll send on Friday, July 7.


Happy 4th of July

Happy Independence Day!

On behalf of everyone at HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care, we wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July. Remember that you’ve made that possible for others by helping them access high-quality health care!

You can expect the next issue of the Digest newsletter on Wednesday, July 5.


Jump To: COVID-19 Behavioral Health | HIV | Workforce | Oral Health | Telehealth |
               Additional Resources | Training Calendar


HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs) host or developed many of these events and resources. For more from the NTTAPs, visit the Health Center Resource Clearinghouse.


What's New

Service Area Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity Released for March 1 Starts

HRSA released the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Service Area Competition (SAC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for service areas with a March 1, 2024, period of performance start date (HRSA-24-068). Find details for each of the announced service areas on the Service Area Announcement Table (SAAT).

Applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 21, and in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) by 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 20. Technical assistance (TA) materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.


SAC – Additional Area NOFO for Dallas, Texas

HRSA released the FY 2024 SAC – Additional Area (SAC-AA) NOFO for the Dallas, Texas, service area with a December 1, 2023, period of performance start date (HRSA-24-087). Find details for the announced service area on the SAAT.

Applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 21, and in EHBs by 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 5. TA materials are available on the SAC-AA TA webpage.


Policy Did You Know

Policy Tip: Search the Health Center Program FAQs by Keyword

You can now search the Health Center Program Compliance FAQs webpage by keyword. To search a topic across all FAQs, don’t select anything from the “Category” search field and only type into the “Keywords” search field. For example, if you type “needs assessment” into the “Keywords” search field, you’ll see all the FAQs that include the words “needs assessment.”


New Key Contacts Form in EHBs

In late August, we’ll introduce a new Key Contacts form in Non-Competing Continuation Progress Reports in EHBs. This form will automatically populate the existing key contacts. The information will appear as read-only in folders and other EHBs locations that display the Progress Report. The system will automatically prompt you to review the contacts you previously provided and make any needed updates.


HHS’ Office of Inspector General Asks for Your Participation in a Substance Use Disorder Treatment Survey

HHS’ Office of Inspector General is conducting a study examining the provision of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment at HRSA-funded health centers. They will survey a sample of 450 HRSA-funded health centers on issues related to medications for opioid use disorder, drug counseling, and mental health services. If you missed it, see our recent bulletin for more information.


Become a HRSA Grant Reviewer

HRSA is seeking subject matter experts to provide peer, virtual reviews of the agency’s grant applications. Grant reviewers are compensated for their time. Visit HRSA's website to learn more and register as a reviewer.


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 verified as implemented and with an “active” site status 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.


COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates – Future and Current State

FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee met on Thursday, June 15, to discuss COVID-19 vaccines for use in the fall. See FDA’s June 16 statement and Recommendation for the 2023-2024 Formula of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States (PDF).

CDC recently published these weekly reports about the current state of COVID-19 and vaccines:


Behavioral Health

Strengthening Cultural Relevance in Clinical Behavioral Health Care

Speakers will identify evidence-based practices as a measure of care and effective strategies aimed at improving targeted outcomes.

Thursday, June 29
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Aging, Substance Use, and Cognitive Health

Speakers from the HRSA-funded National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) will discuss how aging and cognitive impairment intersect with substance use. They will share practical strategies for how to adapt screening assessment and treatment for older patients with SUD.

Thursday, July 13
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
** 1.0 CE available **


Brown Bag Discussion: Treating Alcohol Use Disorder in Primary Care

Participants will problem-solve cases and engage in interactive discussion about strategies and best practices to assess and treat patients with risky alcohol use and alcohol use disorder in a primary care setting.

Monday, July 17
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Contextualizing Our Understanding of Mental Health and Substance Use

Mental health and many mental disorders are shaped to a great extent by life experiences, as well as the social, economic, and physical environments in which people live. Speakers will describe a contextual framework for understanding mental and substance use conditions supporting person centered/culturally relevant care.

Wednesday, July 19
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


NIH Offers Free CE/CME on Helping Patients with Alcohol-related Problems

Through The Healthcare Professional's Core Resource on Alcohol, primary care providers may earn up to 10.75 free CE/CME credits. Topics include quick screening and assessment tools; medical complications/mental health issues; overcoming barriers to care; and treatment options.


HIV

Increase in People with HIV among Meningococcal Disease Cases in 2022

New CDC surveillance data show an increase in the percentage of people with HIV among meningococcal disease cases in 2022. See the data in a CDC report.

These findings highlight the importance of health care providers taking these steps:

  • Ensuring people with HIV are up to date with their MenACWY vaccination, including booster doses. See CDC’s Meningococcal Vaccine Recommendations webpage for information.
  • Maintaining high suspicion for meningococcal disease when someone with HIV presents with symptoms compatible with this disease.
  • Screening patients with meningococcal disease for HIV.

QuizTime for CME – Ending the HIV Epidemic with Antiretroviral Therapy

Providers at HRSA-funded health centers can access CME about HIV treatment through their phones. Register for daily (on weekdays only) questions. Eligible clinicians will receive CME for answering within 24 hours. Visit the Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC)’s website for details and to register.


Workforce

NNOHA Partnering with Academic Institutions

New Publication: Partnering with Academic Institutions to Develop Service Learning Programs

Partnerships between academic institutions and health centers can be a useful strategy to enhance the recruitment and retention of oral health professionals. This publication (PDF), developed by the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA), includes strategies, recommendations, and promising practices from health centers across the country.


STAR2 Center Talks Workforce Success Season Five Out Now

The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) announces that the fifth season of the STAR² Center’s “Talks Workforce Success” podcast is out now. It highlights health centers, Primary Care Associations, and NTTAPs that successfully implemented practices, strategies, or tools from the STAR² Center or other sources. The collaborative efforts and resource-sharing highlighted in this season’s episodes illustrate the crucial importance of maintaining strong partnerships and developing resources that directly speak to the training and TA needs of the health center workforce. Visit the STAR2 Center's website to listen.


Pay Equity White Paper

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 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.


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

On-Demand Learning Module: Uniform Data Systems Sealant Measure

This 30-minute interactive online learning module provides an overview for the HRSA Uniform Data Systems Sealant Measure. Visit the NNOHA website to create an account for access. Participants will earn 0.5 CDE after successful completion of the module and quiz.


New Publication: Partnering with Academic Institutions to Develop Service Learning Programs

See the announcement above.


Telehealth

Licensure Resources

Telehealth.HHS.gov provides licensure resources for health care providers, states, and health care organizations. Resources include the latest guidance and options on how to practice legally and ethically across state lines.


ACP 10 Ways to Spread the Word

Increasing Access to Telehealth

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline are federal government programs that help eligible households pay for internet services and internet-connected devices. Eligible households can enroll for ACP online or with a mail-in application in English or Spanish. Telehealth.hhs.gov includes information about these programs.

See FCC’s ACP Consumer Outreach Toolkit for resources to help you spread the word.


Additional Resources

New Resources to Improve Cervical Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Management

Join HRSA's Office of Women's Health (OWH) and the National Cancer Institute for a webinar to learn about two new resources to advance equitable cervical cancer prevention, screening, and management in safety-net settings: a Toolkit to Build Provider Capacity and a Federal Opportunities Report. Resources can be downloaded from the OWH Cervical Cancer webpage.

Thursday, June 29
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Overview of the 2023-2025 HRSA Strategy to Address Intimate Partner Violence

Learn about how HRSA prevents and responds to intimate partner violence (IPV) and about the new strategy to guide these efforts on HRSA’s website and at a webinar:

Wednesday, July 12
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

We’ll feature speakers from OWH, BPHC, and HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau.


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Training Calendar

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Visit our online calendar for details on these and all scheduled events.

Through July 5

Health Benefits and Considerations of Sports Participation and Physical Activity for Transgender and Gender Diverse People
Hosted by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Tuesday, June 27
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Lead Screening and Housing Partnerships: Leveraging Resources to Improve Population Health
Hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH)
Tuesday, June 27
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Engaging Health Centers in the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index to Advance LGBTQIA+ Equity
Hosted by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Tuesday, June 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Making Care Primary Model Overview
Hosted by CMS
Tuesday, June 27
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Community Health Worker (CHW) Workforce Development: Methodologies for CHW Use in Addressing the SDOH in Vulnerable Populations
Hosted by NCHPH
Wednesday, June 28
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Cultural Adaptation of Measures and Tools for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Data Collection
Hosted by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Thursday, June 29
11:00 a.m.-noon ET
Registration page

Considerations for Tailored Diabetes Self-Management Education and Meal Planning for People Experiencing Homelessness
Hosted by the National Health Care for the Homeless Council
Thursday, June 29
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

New Resources to Improve Cervical Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Management
Hosted by OWH and the National Cancer Institute
Thursday, June 29
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Strengthening Cultural Relevance in Clinical Behavioral Health Care
Thursday, June 29
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Upcoming

COVID-19 Response Program Office Hours
Tuesday, July 11
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Overview of the 2023-2025 HRSA Strategy to Address IPV
Wednesday, July 12
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Aging, Substance Use and Cognitive Health
Thursday, July 13
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
** 1.0 CE available **

Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Thursday, July 13
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Join by phone: 833-568-8864
Webinar ID: 161 391 4467

Brown Bag Discussion: Treating Alcohol Use Disorder in Primary Care
Monday, July 17
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Contextualizing Our Understanding of Mental Health and Substance Use
Wednesday, July 19
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Lab-Initiated Clinical Decision Support for Hypercholesterolemia
Co-hosted by the National Association of Community Health Centers (through a cooperative agreement with CDC) and the American Medical Association
Wednesday, July 19
3:00-3:45 p.m. ET
Registration page
** 1.0 CME available **

Better Assess Your Community Using the UDS Mapper
Thursday, July 20
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.