What's New
HHS Alert about Cybersecurity Issue: Citrix Bleed Vulnerability
In response to active exploitation of a cybersecurity vulnerability, HHS’ Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center has released a notice (PDF) strongly encouraging organizations to upgrade their devices and prevent further damage to the health sector. They encourage all organizations to review and act upon the message — sharing it as necessary with others, such as your IT department.
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ECV Reporting Requirement
Health centers using Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination (ECV) funds are required to complete the monthly Health Center COVID-19 Survey. The December 1 survey is due by 11:59 p.m. your local time on Thursday, December 7. Please ONLY report November data in this survey.
Our COVID-19 Data Collection Survey Tool User Guide can help you. If you still have questions, use the BPHC Contact Form (COVID-19 > COVID-19 Surveys).
MONDAY: New 2023 Uniform Data System Training for Primary Care Associations and Health Center Controlled Networks
Our upcoming TA webinar for staff at Primary Care Associations (PCAs) and Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) will help them understand how to support 2023 Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting. We will address UDS basics, resources, and common questions. Then, peers from PCAs and HCCNs will share how they have successfully supported health centers in completing UDS reports. This webinar is only for staff from PCAs and HCCNs.
Monday, December 11
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
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Policy Tip: Clinical Staffing
A health center, in accordance with its credentialing procedures, is required to credential individuals who supervise or train clinical staff (for example, Director of Nursing, Director of Pharmacy) even if those individuals do not provide direct patient care.
To learn more about this topic, and to find answers to other questions, check out the Health Center Program Compliance FAQs.
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Medicaid and CHIP Renewals: Patient-Centered Messaging for Clinical Offices and Health Care Settings
CMS released a new toolkit (PDF) to help clinicians and other health care professionals share information about Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) renewals with patients. There’s also information on how to help patients transition to other health coverage options if they are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. This toolkit includes ready-to-use resources, such as:
- FAQs
- Recorded phone and hold messages
- No-reply text messages and push notifications for patient portals
- E-newsletter and patient portal messages
We encourage health centers to use these resources at your office’s front desk, lobby or waiting areas, the billing department, patient portals, and other places. For more materials on Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations after COVID-19, see outreach and educational resources.
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Recording Available: Inflation Reduction Act Catalytic Program Kickoff
The HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) will launch a "catalytic program" to support health care organizations, including health centers, in taking advantage of the tax credits, grants, and other supports made available by the historic Inflation Reduction Act. OCCHE's initiative will occur through collaboration with federal partners and will feature national webinars and breakout sessions by provider type to help organizations assess their needs and opportunities.
If you missed last week’s information session, watch the recording.
Application Deadline Extended: Making Care Primary Model
In response to stakeholder feedback, CMS has extended the application deadline for the Making Care Primary (MCP) Model to Thursday, December 14, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Find resources and the application portal on the MCP website.
COVID-19
Spread the Word: COVID-19 Home Tests Available
Health centers, HHS needs your help to get the word out that COVID-19 home tests are available for ordering. Their new digital toolkit contains messages you can share in a newsletter or social media. Copy the words directly or customize them to reach your audience. Then, choose and download the image(s) you would like to share. The images are sized for each social media platform.
COVID-19 Response Program Holiday Ordering Schedule and Office Hours Today
COVID-19 Response Program participants: Log in to the Health Center Program Community to download the COVID-19 Response Programs Holiday Ordering Schedule. We encourage you to plan ahead to ensure you have enough inventory during ordering and delivery pauses.
TODAY is our final Office Hours session for 2023. We’ll discuss the holiday ordering schedule, attestation for vaccine reconciliation, and updates to HRSA’s COVID-19 Therapeutics and Testing Supply Programs.
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
After registering, you will receive instructions on how to join the session. Office Hours are open to all HRSA-supported health centers. If you can’t attend, you can access a recording in the Health Center Program Community.
If you need assistance or have questions, use the BPHC Contact Form (select the appropriate option under COVID-19).
HIV
TOMORROW: 79th Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS Meeting
The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) provides advice, information, and recommendations to the HHS Secretary regarding HIV and AIDS. See the agenda and details for their meeting.
Wednesday, December 6
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET
Watch live on HHS' livestream webpage
HIV/AIDS Bureau’s Biennial Ryan White Report
This report (PDF) from our sister bureau shares success stories from Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program award recipients. It also describes HRSA’s framework for program activities, including data, best practices, and various initiatives.
As a reminder, HAB is co-sponsoring our webinar this afternoon:
Increasing PrEP Uptake Among African American Cisgender Women
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
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Workforce
Nurse Faculty Loan Program
HRSA released a NOFO to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty nationwide. It funds accredited nursing schools to establish and operate a student loan fund and provide loans to students enrolled in advanced nursing degree programs committed to becoming nurse faculty. Read the announcement for more information.
Advancing Health Equity: Increasing Access to Care for IPV and Exploitation Survivors
This learning collaborative, hosted by Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation, will explore the health impacts of intimate partner violence; labor trafficking/exploitation on farmworkers, youth, and rural communities; and discuss strategies to advance health equity for survivors. Sessions will be in English with Spanish interpretation. Apply to participate by Friday, December 15.
Oral Health
Community Dental Health Coordinators: An Introduction to Oral Health Integration for Health Centers
Our webinar will feature representatives from the American Dental Association (ADA) and two HRSA-funded health centers. ADA speakers will provide facts about the Community Dental Health Coordinators (CDHC) program, while speakers from Zufall Health and Finger Lakes Community Health will share their experience having a CDHC on their team.
Thursday, December 7
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CDE available**
Dental Residency Rotations in Community Health Centers
Dental residents rotating through health centers get to experience how social determinants of health, the health care system, and other factors impact access to care. This service-learning opportunity may also create a pathway for workforce recruitment and retention.
A representative from the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) will provide an overview of academic partnerships in health centers. Speakers from the University of California San Francisco and two HRSA-funded health centers (La Clínica de la Raza and Asian Health Services) will share their experience forging partnerships — the benefits and challenges and long-term outcomes.
Tuesday, December 12
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
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