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April 18, 2024 Send us feedback or ideas for future issues.
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What's New
BPHC Pulse Survey results are in!
During the April 11 BPHC All-Hands, Adam Robbins shared an overview of results from the BPHC Employee Pulse Survey that was administered in February. The area that showed the greatest improvement was in communication of information from office management, with 42% of respondents reporting improvements since the 2023 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), which ran from May to July last year.
BPHC Pulse Survey results are now available on the BPHC Pulse Survey Portal if you would like to dive deeper. The portal includes a data analysis tool that allows you to explore survey data down to the functional area level and 2023 FEVS Benchmark questions to better interpret changes in sentiments for FEVS priority areas. A summary of narrative comments from open-ended survey questions will be added soon. Happy exploring!
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TODAY: HRSA All-Hands
Join HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson and HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm for a HRSA All-Hands meeting, which includes a panel on the NOFO 100 Initiative.
There are two options to participate: virtually via Zoom or in person at 5600 Fishers Lane.
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
5th floor Pavilion rooms
Join the session
Call-in: 833-568-8864
Webinar ID: 160 267 3603
Submit questions in advance to askquestions@HRSA.gov.
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NEXT THURSDAY: Today with Macrae
Join Jim and special guests to learn about health equity and the Health Center Program, plus hear the latest on funding and more!
Thursday, April 25
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Call-in: 833-568-8864
Webinar ID: 161 511 1554
You can find recordings and presentation slides from 2018 to the present in the webcast archives.
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Announcing the release of FTCA emergency resources
OQI’s Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) division released two new Program Assistance Letters (PALs) to support health centers during emergencies. These resources and related processes will allow health center providers or volunteer health professionals to deliver health care in crisis situations more quickly. See the bulletin we sent on Tuesday for details.
FTCA will release a supplemental FTCA Emergency Resource Guide within the next few weeks.
Be sure to encourage health centers to review the new PALs and direct them to submit questions via the BPHC Contact Form (Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) > Select the appropriate option).
To learn more about FTCA’s work, read Getting to Know FTCA.
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Getting to know Alysha Darden
Editor’s note: Interested in participating in a “Getting to know” column for the first or second time? Take a look at the questions to see what’s involved and check out our Getting to Know BPHC Staff page.
Meet Alysha Darden, Management Analyst, Data and Evaluation, OQI:
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When did you join the Bureau of Primary Health Care?
How does your current role contribute to the Health Center Program? My official start date was March 25. I will be working with the Data Production Team within OQI's Data and Evaluation Division, stakeholders, contractors, and health centers on the production of the Uniform Data System Manual, along with data collection.
What is one thing your co-workers would be surprised to learn about you, for example, a hidden talent?
I am extremely clumsy, but also did competitive gymnastics.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Completing my MPH and obtaining a job (this job) within the public health field. Watching my family be proud of the work I’ve accomplished is the most rewarding feeling.
What actor, celebrity, or historical figure do people say you resemble in either physical appearance or personality?
I have been told many times that I resemble Simone Biles. During the 2016 Olympics, I was still coaching gymnastics. I walked into the gym and all the kids and parents ran up to me asking if I was Simone Biles. Now I would like to note, my mother has also told me I resemble Simone Biles.
What is your favorite kind of pie?
I love warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
Learn more about Alysha. Email BPHC Insider to submit your name for a future Getting to Know.
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HRSA & HHS Happenings
HRSA's CFC team ties for Best Special Event Award
HRSA’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), led by the Health Systems Bureau’s (HSB) CDR Lauren Brewer and Jayme Marshall, won in a tie with the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s Voices of America for the 2023 CFC Campaign Best Special Event Award across all medium-sized federal agencies. The award recognized the CFC Talent and Story-telling Showcase (YouTube video) held at the close of campaign in January.
HSB’s Executive Officer Kim Derwinski and BPHC’s Jasmine Hawkins accepted the award at the March 27 CFC Finale and Awards Ceremony (YouTube video). The 2023 CFC campaign raised a total of $68 million.
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Celebrate Mother Earth!
Take the opportunity on Earth Day, Monday, April 22, to reflect on how we enjoy, need, and impact the environment, and the actions we can take to improve our natural environment. This year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics,” takes a deep dive into how plastics are impacting our environment and our health.
Plastics have become a constant in our lives, but are creating issues for our planet and our health. Most of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated annually ends up in landfills, waterways, and oceans. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade. It just breaks down into smaller pieces — microplastics — that end up in the soil, water, and air, eventually being ingested by animals and humans. Microplastics can potentially alter hormone functions and significantly damage cells in the human body, which can lead to serious health effects, including cancers, lung disease, and birth defects.
Visit the Program Support Center (PSC) 2024 Earth Day Expo on the HHS intranet to learn about related topics, such as conserving energy and water, and preserving our natural environment. See the Plastics page for more details on the plastics problem and how you can reduce your single-use plastics.
Check the HHS Annual Kids' Earth Day Poster Contest page on Monday, April 22, for the announcement of the 2024 winners. They will also be announced via a broadcast email message.
Learning sessions sponsored by the Go Green Get Healthy HHS team, led by PSC:
Plastics and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Personal Care Products
Tuesday, April 23
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Planet vs. Plastics
Wednesday, April 24
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
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TUESDAY: Deadline to sign up for Take Your Child to Work Day
AHRQ, HRSA, IHS, PSC, and SAMHSA will host a Take Your Child to Work Day event for children in grades K to 12 in the 5600 Fishers Lane Atrium. In past years, more than 350 children participated in this event.
Thursday, April 25
9:00-11:00 a.m. ET
Registration form (due Tuesday, April 23)
On the day of the event, sign in your children in the main lobby on the 5th floor. Children will receive a visitor wristband to wear throughout the day. Children must be escorted at all times when they are in the building.
There may be delays accessing the building via the main (Fishers Lane) lobby on the morning of April 25. If you are not participating in the event, consider using the 1 West (Parklawn Drive) entrance as an alternative. If you have questions, contact WorkLifePrograms@hrsa.gov.
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WEDNESDAY: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, April 27, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. You can participate early by turning in unused or expired medications in the 5600 Fishers Lane Atrium.
Wednesday, April 24
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. ET
Can’t make it? Search for a local site on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Take Back Day webpage.
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WEDNESDAY: Arab American Heritage Month Roundtable on promoting health and addressing health disparities
The Office of Minority Health will host a virtual roundtable discussing opportunities for promoting health and addressing health disparities in the Arab American and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities.
This roundtable will highlight emerging efforts to promote equitable health data across Arab American and MENA populations to address unmet social needs through community coordination as highlighted in the U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health (PDF). It will be an opportunity to reinforce language access as essential for improving data collection, research quality, and health outcomes.
Data Disaggregation and Language Access Services: Pathways for Health and Well-being in Arab American and MENA Communities Virtual Roundtable
Wednesday, April 24
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
Resources:
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NEXT THURSDAY: Training on ethics rules applicable to a non-federal job search
The Ethics Division of the Office of the General Counsel offers training sessions for any employee interested in learning more about the ethics rules that apply when you are looking for a non-federal job or leaving federal employment. If you have been considering a transition from HHS to the private sector, or to state or local government, these training sessions will help you navigate the ethics rules that apply. Session content is identical each month.
Sessions take place via WebEx on the following Thursdays from noon-1:15 p.m. ET:
- April 25
- May 30
- June 27
- July 25
- September 26
- October 31
- November 21
To attend a session, complete the non-federal job search training registration form. Registration closes at the end of the Monday before the training. Registrants will receive the training materials and WebEx connection information shortly before your scheduled training date.
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Staffing Updates
On the move
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CDR Wendy Pettit, Supervisory Public Health Analyst (Deputy Director), OHCIO, effective Monday, April 15.
Departure
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Annette Nelson, Management Analyst, retiring from DWM, effective Tuesday, April 30.
BPHC job announcements
For other jobs at HRSA, visit USAJOBS.
For other detail opportunities, go to the Detail and Deployment Opportunities SharePoint page.
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DWM Important Updates and Reminders
Reminder about 5600 conference rooms
As a reminder, conference room reservations are intended for active meetings and collaborations only. Staff should not reserve conference rooms as alternatives to hoteling space or hold full-day reservations in anticipation of potential meetings.
ITAS updates
Two enhancements to the Integrated Time and Attendance System (ITAS) were enabled to accurately distinguish between telework, remote hours, and on-site hours on employee timecards.
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Remote employees: You'll notice the remote designation “R” will automatically populate on your timecard for each pay period. If you report to the office physically, ask your timekeeper to adjust your timecard to reflect on-site hours.
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Leave Approving Officials: You are now required to complete an attestation before approving timecards. This attestation certifies that a Workplace Flexibilities Agreement is approved, and the reported time and locations are accurate on the timecard. This will appear as a pop-up message within the system, and timecards will not be approved without acknowledging it by clicking “OK.”
As a reminder, Leave Approving Officials can view approved agreements in the HRSA Workplace Flexibilities Agreement System under the “Supervisor Applications” tab.
Questions? Contact BPHCTimeAttendance@hrsa.gov.
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Federal acquisition certification (FAC) recertification period ending on April 30
Acquisition workforce professionals holding a FAC-C, FAC-COR, or FAC P/PM certification(s) have until Tuesday, April 30, to obtain the required continuous learning points (CLPs) to maintain their certification(s).
- To maintain your FAC-C or FAC-P/PM, you must earn 80 CLPs every two years.
- To maintain your FAC-COR Level II or III, you must earn 40 CLPs every two years.
- To maintain your FAC-COR Level I, you must earn 8 CLPs every two years.
BPHC employees who have not met the CLP requirement have been contacted by email. For more information on the FAC recertification period, contact Amanda Eley.
Training & Staff Development
Register for “BPHC Influencer Community of Practice: Managing Your Workload”
Do you ever feel like there isn't enough time in a day? Identify common challenges in organizing your schedule and learn how to accomplish more by effectively managing your workload. In this session, you will gain valuable insights and prioritization techniques to optimize your time, increase efficiency, and maintain a better work-life balance.
Thursday, April 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register in the LMS
Systems Corner
BHCMIS training
Health & Wellness
Upcoming wellness webinars
WorkLife4You is a 24/7 personalized assistance program that provides guidance on health and wellness. To access resources, log in to WorkLife4You with username hrsa and password hrsa. You may also call 800-222-0364; TTY: 888-262-7848. See upcoming webinars featured below.
For additional resources, see HRSA’s WorkLife Programs page and FOH4YOU, a free, confidential counseling and referral service designed to help you and your family successfully manage everyday challenges.
Child Care and Parenting: Teaching Children About Money
Find out how to teach children about money by looking at your own money values and how you communicate about money. Learn about setting goals, spending wisely, and saving strategies.
Wednesday, April 24
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Your Healthy Lifestyle: Eating Right on the Run and on a Budget
Review strategies for quick, inexpensive meals that are good choices. Learn the basics of eating healthy within your financial means.
Thursday, April 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
In Case You Missed It
A round-up of previously announced items
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